El manejo y el potencial forrajero de las arvenses en la milpa tradicional Otomí.

Objective: To analyze the management and forage potential of weeds from the traditional Otomí milpa in the communities of Acambay, Mexico; to calculate their yield as green forage and biomass, and to identify ethnotaxons. Methodology: The research was formulated from a historical and conceptual framework, and with techniques of the ethnographic method: Eleven community visits and semi-structured questionnaires applied to twelve key informants, the management and uses of weeds were analyzed; a sampling was applied in three communities, in areas of 12 m2 per plot, to identify ethnotaxa and calculate yields. Results: The strategic management of weeds was identified from the traditional know-how with regional importance linked to the production of bovine milk; 31 ethnotaxons were recorded, whose yield as green forage amounts to 6.8 t./ha. and 3.8 t/ha of biomass, representing a saving of 24,613.13 mexican pesos per agricultural cycle. Limitations: More resources are needed to further study the food and medicinal uses of weeds. Conclusions: Otomi farmers cultivate and revalue native corn and polycultures; for them, the productive and cultural value or identity is still structured around the milpa and weeds; thus, this work shows the validity of the strategic use and regional importance of weeds as forage for milk production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]