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The establishment of Pachycereus pringlei seedlings is a scarce event; soil conditions are one of the factors attributed to its high mortality rate in the early stages of development. The use of organic manures as a substrate helps to improve the structure, porosity, and density of the soil where they live, in addition to providing nutrients that would benefit the roots, increasing the possibility of their establishment during the emergence stage. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different proportions of organic manures as a sown substrate in the emergence and establishment of Pachycereus pringlei seedlings, using nine treatments of organic manures in a completely randomized experimental design with four replications. The variables measured were emergence rate (ER) and percentage (EP) and their indices, seedlings’ morphometric, and physiological characteristics in the establishment stage. The results showed that the evaluated variables in the emergence and seedling establishment phase indicate the preference for natural substrate and organic manure combinations in proportions of 50 and 30%, respectively. The analysis of variance showed significant differences regarding the morphometric and physiological variables of the stem and root of the evaluated treatments. The emergence and establishment analyses show that cardon seedlings under different organic manure treatments and controlled conditions had excellent survival results compared to the low rates of recruitment and survival reported under natural conditions. Similarly, the implementation of organic manures improved the physiological and morphometric characteristics of the cardon seedlings compared to the control treatment with the natural substrate.

Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is a medicinal and aromatic plant of commercial interest; it can be grown in salinized soils by applying a stress mitigator. The objective was to evaluate the biochemical response of two basil varieties inoculated with AMF Rhizophagus fasciculatus and appraise its usefulness as a NaCl-stress mitigator. A completely randomized design with a factorial arrangement, four replicates per treatment and four plants per replicate was used. Three factors were considered, (1) two basil varieties (Napoletano and Nufar); (2) three NaCl concentrations (0, 50 and 100 mM); and (3) R. fasciculatus inoculum absence or presence (0 and 10 g). The variables evaluated were a substrate chemical analysis; shoot (STP) and root (RTP) total protein content; shoot (SP) and root (RP) proline content; shoot (SGA) and root (RGA) glutathione peroxidase activity; spore count and colonization. The spore content was 50 to 70 spores per gram of inoculum. The STP and RTP were highest in both varieties in 0 mM with AMF and decreased in Napoletano in 100 mM. The SP and RP were highest in Nufar in 50 and 100 mM with AMF and lowest in Napoletano in 0 and 50 with AMF. The SGA and RGA were highest in Napoletano in 50 and 100 mM with AMF. The colonization was high; however, decreased as NaCl increased. These results suggest that inoculation with AMF has a positive effect to mitigate NaCl-stress and a biochemical benefit for basil plants.

Antecedentes y Objetivos: Los tés recreativos son bebidas preparadas, por infusión/ebullición, de diferentes partes de plantas que se consumen en un entorno social/alimenticio. Se consideran generalmente saludables y con usos medicinales, aunque ese no es su único propósito de consumo. En México, los tés recreativos prácticamente no se mencionan en los estudios etnobotánicos. Este estudio describe la etnobotánica, contenido de fenólicos y actividad antioxidante de plantas silvestres empleadas como tés recreativos en dos rancherías de las zonas montañosas de la región de Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, México: Reserva de la Biosfera Sierra La Laguna y comunidad San Blas-Cacachilas.Métodos: La información etnobotánica se obtuvo mediante encuestas semi-estructuradas y estancias con los rancheros de ambas comunidades. Se calculó el porcentaje de citas, preferencia y valor cultural de cada especie registrada, además de describir sus usos medicinales adicionales. El contenido de fenólicos y actividad antioxidante se determinó por métodos colorimétricos y fueron correlacionados con parámetros etnobotánicos.Resultados clave: Se registraron 12 taxa de plantas silvestres para elaborar tés recreativos, 11 en Sierra La Laguna y seis en San Blas-Las Cacachilas. La damiana (Turnera diffusa) obtuvo el mayor valor cultural (71.2%), seguido de margarita (Aloysia barbata) (41.1%) y anís silvestre (Tagetes filifolia/T. micrantha) (21.5%). Los tés recreativos tuvieron sus principales usos medicinales como antigripales/antitusivos y relajantes generales. El contenido de antioxidantes presentó correlación negativa con el porcentaje de citas y la preferencia. Los usos etnofarmacológicos de A. barbata y el helecho peyote (Pellaea ternifolia) son descritos por primera vez, y se documentaron nuevos usos para la damiana y el cerezo (Prunus serotina).Conclusiones: Los rancheros de Baja California Sur tienen gran afinidad por el consumo de tés recreativos de plantas silvestres, y aquellos usados para tratar padecimientos comunes como gripe/tos o estrés son los preferidos. El presente es el primer estudio etnobotánico específico para tés recreativos en México.

Halophytes are capable of growing in saline environments. However, this attribute results from a wide genetic variability, making it difficult to approximate halophytes’ agroecological management. We examined the hydro-climatological attributes associated with the distribution of species of the genus Suaeda in NW Mexico and SW USA, and for S. edulis in central México. The analysis focused on the introduction of the semi-domesticated species Suaeda edulis as a new crop, from central regions of México, reaching an average yield of 8 Mg ha−1 of biomass, to arid NW México. The list of Suaeda species was elaborated from the eHALOPH and Calflora databases, and the NW México Herbarium Network. According to the Hydro-Environmental Availability Index (HEAI), the central regions of Mexico reflect a greater water availability, suitable for S. edulis. In such a humid region, HEAI varied from 6 to 18, indicating sufficient moisture for crops. In contrast, other Suaeda species, including S. nigra, S. esteroa, and S. californica, spread in NW Mexico and SW United States, where the water availability is null during the year, with HEAI scoring from 0 to 4. Under such dryness, S. edulis in NW Mexico will require water through optimized irrigation and plant breeding strategies to ensure its viability as a new crop.

The objective of this study was to compare the morphology of M. spicata and R. officinalis plants, and the relative abundance quantification, colony-forming units, ribotypes, and biofilm former bacteria under an inorganic fertilizer and the use of vermicompost leachate in the rhizosphere under a closed hydroponic system. In mint (Mentha spicata) plants treated with the vermicompost leachate, growth increase was determined mainly in root length from an average of 38 cm in plants under inorganic fertilizer to 74 cm under vermicompost leachate. In rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), no changes were determined between the two treatments. There were differences in the compositions of microbial communities: For R. officinalis, eight ribotypes were identified, seven for inorganic fertilizer and four for vermicompost leachate. For M. spicata, eight ribotypes were identified, three of them exclusive to vermicompost leachate. However, no changes were observed in microbial communities between the two treatments. Otherwise, some changes were observed in the compositions of these communities over time. In both cases, the main found phylum was Firmicutes, with 60% for R. officinalis and 80% for M. spicata represented by the Bacillus genus. In conclusion, the use of vermicompost leachate under the hydroponic system is a viable alternative to achieve an increase in the production of M. spicata, and for both plants (mint and rosemary), the quality of the product and the microbial communities that inhabited them remained unaltered.

Aloe vera L. is a perennial liliaceous plant with succulent green leaves, it is a xerophyte with economic and social value, but little is known about its response to salt stress and its mechanisms of tolerance, especially at moderate concentrations. The objective was to investigate the effect of salinity stress (0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 mM NaCl) on Aloe by measuring physiological and morphometric traits related to growth. The results of measuring physiological traits showed no significant differences compared to the control at 30 and 60 mM (chlorophylls a, b, total, relative water content, net assimilation rate, specific leaf weight, and specific leaf area), even at 90 mM or 120 mM most parameter variations were not significantly different. Similarly, for morphological traits no significant differences were found compared to the control for all 16 morphological traits at 30 mM, or even at 60 mM since at this concentration only one trait varied significantly (1 out of 16). Although the general trend of increasing NaCl was to lower leaf fresh weight as salinity increased, presumably due to a decrease in water content. However leaf dry weight was not significantly reduced at any of the salinity concentrations applied. Thus, total dry leaf biomass was basically the same or similar, this suggesting that Aloe has an ability to withstand these levels of salinity stress. It is noteworthy to point out, that there is a general trend of lower growth (lower parameters both physiological and morphological) that is not significant at low doses (30 and 60 mM), however becoming more significant at higher doses (90 and 120 mM). Thus, we suggest that Aloe has continuum responses to NaCl stress.

In Baja California Sur, Mexico, a foliar disease occurred on sweet basil which seriously affected its quality and yield. The most common symptoms were yellowing and necrosis on leaves, caused by a downy mycelium growth on the lower leaf surface. Symptomatic leaves from two sampling sites were collected for morphological studies and molecular analysis of pathogen DNA. Based on morphological characteristics (sporangiophore size of 240–530 × 7–11 μm, branches of 5–8 order and a sporangia size of 27–31 × 21–25 μm) and molecular analysis (the GenBank blast of the PCR assays showed unique rDNA sequence data with 99% similarity to P. belbahrii), the pathogen was identified as Peronospora belbahrii, the causal agent of basil downy mildew. This is the first report of P. belbahrii affecting sweet basil in Mexico.

Cowpea and kidney bean plants were grown in a hydroponic system, and the effect of calcium silicate supplied to the nutrient solution under salt stress was investigated. The plants were subjected to four different treatments: (1) nutrient solution alone (C), (2) nutrient solution + 40 mmol l )1 NaCl (NaCl), (3) nutrient solution + 40 mmol l )1 NaCl + 0.5 mmol l )1 CaSiO3 (NaCl + Si1) and (4) nutrient solution + 40 mmol l )1 NaCl+1 mmol l )1 CaSiO3 (NaCl + Si2). The results showed that, in both species, salinity reduced all growth variables but silicate supplementation however partly overcame this growth reduction. Addition of silicate in NaCl-stressed plants maintained membrane permeability. Net photosynthesis, chlorophyll content, stomatal conductance and transpiration were higher in plants under control treatment, and the inclusion of silicate in the nutrient solution resulted in a slight increase in these plant parameters. Intercellular CO2 was slightly higher in plants under silicate treatment than in plants under control or NaCl treatment. Calcium concentration in shoots and roots in both species was slightly higher in the treatments where silicate was added. Potassium concentration for salt treatment was reduced in shoot and root of both species in the absence of silicate. Sodium and chloride concentration in shoots and roots in both species were slightly higher in the presence of NaCl and were slightly reduced in the plants under silicate treatments. The results suggest that, in hydroponically grown plants, the inclusion of silicate in the nutrient solution is beneficial because it improves growth, physiological parameters and may contribute to a more balanced nutrition by enhancing nutrient uptake under NaCl-stressed conditions. Added calcium silicate may ameliorate the parameters affected by high salinity, may reduce sodium and chloride, and can

Any improvement in agricultural systems that results in higher production should also reduce negative environmental impacts and enhance sustainability. The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of two different production systems, one open-field and the other shade-enclosure with four bocashi doses, in order to find the best environmental option in terms of yield, physiological and morphometric characteristics in one oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) cultivar. In this study a completely randomized block design was used with four replications and evaluated for photosynthetic and transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, chlorophyll, leaf area and temperature, aerial and roots fresh and dry biomass, fresh and dry yield. The results showed that oregano adapted best to the shade-enclosure with increase yield of fresh and dry leaf weight of 165% and 118%, respectively, when compared to open-field. Also, higher doses of bocashi improved yield in both environments but more so in shade-enclosure. Soil moisture retention was higher in shade-enclosure which was reflected in physiological variables for soil matric potential, transpiration, stomatal conductivity, photosynthesis being significantly higher in shade-enclosure compared to open-field, thus improving yield. It seems that oregano plants can be grown and perform better under shade-enclosure than open-field and bocashi is a suitable organic fertilizer.

This study calculated the compositional nutrient diagnosis (CND) norms of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.), as well as identified significant nutrient interactions of this crop growing in an irrigated calcareous desert soil. Three genotypes were distributed in rows in a 2-ha field. The soil showed high heterogeneity in its chemical properties. For statistical analysis, 86 foliar composite samples from healthy plants were used. Preliminary CND norms were developed using a cumulative variance ratio function and the χ2 distribution function. Means and standard deviations of row-centered log ratios V X of five nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg) and a filling value R, which included all nutrients not chemically analyzed. Preliminary CND norms are: V N * =0.174±0.095, V P * =−2.172±0.234, V K * =−0.007±0.267, V Ca * =−0.022±0.146, V Mg * =−1.710±0.132, and V R 5 * =3.728±0.084. These CND norms are associated with dry bean yields higher than 1.88 t ha−1, and are associated with the following foliar concentrations: 26.2 g N kg−1, 2.5 g P kg−1, 22.9 g K kg−1, 21.6 g Ca kg−1, and 4 g Mg kg−1. Cowpea plants growing in desert calcareous soils took up lower amounts of N, P, and K than those considered as optimum in a previous report. Six interactions were strongly indicated for cowpea through principal component analyses: positive for Ca–Mg, and negative for N–Ca, N–Mg, Ca–P, Mg–P, and K–P. Furthermore, two interactions were identified using simple correlations, negative N–P and positive K–Ca.

Mineral-nutrient stress is one of the main factors limiting crop production, especially in arid lands. The mineral requirement of a crop is difficult to determine, and the interpretation of foliar chemistry composition is not easy. This study was conducted to compute the minimum yield target for fresh fruit of yellow pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) and the corresponding Compositional Nutrient Diagnosis (CND) as well as to identify significant nutrient interactions of this crop in desert calcareous soils. Preliminary CND norms were developed using a cumulative variance-ratio function and the chi-square distribution function. From a small database, we computed means and standard deviations of row-centered log ratios, VX, of five nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg) and a filling value, R, which comprises all nutrients not chemically analyzed and quantified them in 54 foliar samples of the popular yellow pepper cv. ‘Santa Fe’. This cultivar is widely grown in northwest Mexico under arid conditions. These norms are associated to fresh fruit yields higher than 15.04 t ha–1. Principal-component analyses, performed using estimated CND nutrient indexes, allowed us to identify four interactions: negative P-Ca, P-Mg, and N-K, and positive Ca-Mg. Pepper plants growing on calcareous soils tend to take up more Ca and Mg than considered as optimum in other soil conditions.

Background Despite the ecological and socioeconomic importance of wild Capsicum annuum L., few investigations have been carried out to study basic characteristics. The peninsula of Baja California has a unique characteristic that it provides a high degree of isolation for the development of unique highly diverse endemic populations. The objective of this study was to evaluate for the first time the growth type, associated vegetation, morphometric traits in plants, in fruits and mineral content of roots, stems and leaves of three wild populations of Capsicum in Baja California, Mexico, near biosphere reserves. Results The results showed that the majority of plants of wild Capsicum annuum have a shrub growth type and were associated with communities consisting of 43 species of 20 families the most representative being Fabaceae, Cactaceae and Euphorbiaceae. Significant differences between populations were found in plant height, main stem diameter, beginning of canopy, leaf area, leaf average and maximum width, stems and roots dry weights. Coverage, leaf length and dry weight did not show differences. Potassium, sodium and zinc showed significant differences between populations in their roots, stems and leaves, while magnesium and manganese showed significant differences only in roots and stems, iron in stems and leaves, calcium in roots and leaves and phosphorus did not show differences. Average fruit weight, length, 100 fruits dry weight, 100 fruits pulp dry weight and pulp/seeds ratio showed significant differences between populations, while fruit number, average fruit fresh weight, peduncle length, fruit width, seeds per fruit and seed dry weight, did not show differences. Conclusions We concluded that this study of traits of wild Capsicum, provides useful information of morphometric variation between wild populations that will be of value for future decision processes involved in the management and preservation of germplasm and genetic resources.

The effects of salinity on the growth and production of `nopalitos' (young cladode sprouts) of Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. cv. Copena V-1 were investigated. Salinity (NaCl) irrigation levels with electrical conductivities of 2, 5, 10, 13, 18 and 21 dS m–1 were used. In general, all cladode variables (stem area, number of young cladodes, length and width of cladodes, and fresh and dry weights) decreased with increasing salinity. The root-to-stem ratio and young cladode water content decreased significantly as salinity increased. Other variables that decreased with increasing salinity included harvest index, relative growth rate, stem area ratio, dry mass accumulation, and Na+ and Cl– concentrations. For rooted cladodes, increased salinity decreased fresh weight, succulence, and root fresh weight, dry weight and length. Our conclusions suggest that this species is salt sensitive; however, there is some indication that it could be effectively managed in saline environments. Further studies and evaluation of different cultivars are needed to identify the mechanism of adaptation of salt tolerance in this species. Einflusse von NaCl-Versalzung auf Wachstum und Produktion von jungen Kladodien beiOpuntia ficus-indica Der Einflus der Versalzung auf Wachstum und Produktion von jungen Kladodien `nopalitos' (cladode sprouts) von Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.-cultivar Copena V-1 wurden untersucht. Versalzte Bewasserungsmengen (NaCl) mit einer elektrischen Konduktivitat von 2, 5, 10, 13, 18 und 21 dS m–1 wurden verwendet. Grundsatzlich nahmen alle Kladodienvariablen (Stengelflache, Anzahl von jungen Kladodien, Lange und Breite der Kladodien, Frisch- und Trockengewicht) mit zunehmender Versalzung ab. Das Wurzelstengelverhaltnis und der Wassergehalt junger Kladodien nahm signifikant mit ansteigender Versalzung ab. Andere Variablen, die mit zunehmender Versalzung abnahmen, einschlieslich Ertragsindex, relative waren Wachstumsrate, Stengelflachenverhaltnis, Trockenmasseakkumulation und Na+ sowie Cl– Konzentrationen. Fur bewurzelte Kladodien fuhrte eine zunehmende Versalzung zu einer Abnahme des Frischgewichtes und der Sukkulenz sowie des Wurzelfrischgewichtes, des Trockengewichtes und der Lange. Es kann angenommen werden, dass diese Art salzempfindlich ist; allerdings gibt es keinen Hinweis, dass mit Erfolg in einer salzigen Umwelt behandelt werden kann. Weitere Untersuchungen und unterschiedliche Kultivare werden benotigt, um den Mechanismus der Adaption der Salztoleranz in dieser Art zu identifizieren.