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Argues that Hispanic-Americans can find reason for pride and positive self-images in their cultural heritage and contributions to California agriculture. Traces history of foods and plant propagation in Mesoamerica. Discusses corn, vanilla, chocolate, chiles, tomatoes, and other foods significant for their culinary legacy. (CH)

Plant species produce far more seedlings than those surviving to adulthood. It would seem reasonable to take advantage of that excess production, by relocating seedlings to desired restoration sites. There is, however, little information available on this issue. In the present study, we collected naturally regenerated seedlings of two native species, Calophyllum brasiliense ("barí") and Vochysia guatemalensis ("corpo"), in old‐growth forest patches, and transplanted them for the enrichment of a secondary tropical forest in Veracruz, Mexico. For transplanted C. brasiliense seedlings, overall survival was 32% after 20 months, and for V. guatemalensis seedlings it was 66% after 26 months. The mean height (±standard error) of all C. brasiliense and V. guatemalensis seedlings that survived until the end of the study, was 33 ± 2 cm (from initially 12.9 ± 0.2 cm) and 52 ± 5 cm (from 4.6 ± 0.1 cm), respectively. We applied a cost–benefit model to assess the trade‐off between initial‐investment costs and the resulting survival of transplanting naturally regenerated seedlings in the current study, in comparison with direct seeding (with and without the protection of seeds and emerged seedlings) reported in a previous study for the same area and species. For C. brasiliense, the success of transplanting naturally regenerated seedlings was always inferior to direct seeding without protection, whereas for V. guatemalensis it was always superior. Comparing the transplantation of naturally regenerated seedlings with direct seeding with protection, the best propagation strategy depended on the (monetary) value that a treelet is expected to be worth after 2 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production and consumption of blueberry have increased in Mexico owing to its health benefits. Symbiotic relationships have been shown to be crucial in blueberry plants. In particular, phytohormone production by Pseudomonas fluorescens is an important mechanism of plant growth promotion. However, there are only a few reports on the effects of plant growth-promoting bacteria in blueberries. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the effects of four strains of P. fluorescens (UM16, UM240, UM256, and UM270) and two types of slow-release fertilizer (nitrophosphate and basacote) on the development of blueberry var. Biloxi under greenhouse conditions. Blueberry seedlings obtained from in vitro culture and adapted under greenhouse conditions were inoculated with 1 x 106 CFU with any of the four strains, depending on treatment. Plants inoculated showed increased average plant length, plant fresh weight, root length, and root fresh and dry weight, compared with those with the control treatment (non-inoculated plants). The plants inoculated and fertilized with nitrophosphate had a better development compared with those fertilized with basacote or the control plants (inoculated or fertilized). Inoculated plants fertilized with nitrophosphate also had greater plant length, higher fresh plant weight, longer roots, and greater root fresh and dry weight than the control (non-inoculated or non-fertilized plants). Our study could facilitate the sustainable propagation of blueberry plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Randia echinocarpa, an endemic plant to Northwest Mexico, is used as food and in traditional medicine, and several of its biological activities have been demonstrated (antioxidant, antimutagenic, antidiabetic, and immunomodulatory). Plant tissue culture is a safe and scalable system for plant propagation and production of bioactive compounds. Therefore, this study aims to establish protocols for seed germination and callus culture of R. echinocarpa and to evaluate the antioxidant activity of methanol extracts (ME) of plantlets and calli via the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) methods. Seeds were cultured in media with different concentrations of Murashige and Skoog (MS) salts and sucrose, and a higher germination rate and plantlet growth was observed in half-strength MS medium with 15 g L−1 of sucrose. Calli were obtained from cotyledon and hypocotyl explants cultured in MS media with different concentrations of benzyl aminopurine (BAP) and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). All treatments induced callus formation in 100% of explants; however, the medium containing 1 mg L−1 BAP + 1 mg L−1 IAA was selected because it produced calli with higher biomass and friable texture. The ME of cotyledons showed the highest antioxidant activity values (μmol Trolox per 100 g dry weight) in DPPH (345.5) and ABTS (1166.4) assays, whereas the ME of calli from hypocotyls showed a higher antioxidant activity than the ME of calli from cotyledons in both antioxidant assays. The tissue culture protocols established here will be useful for R. echinocarpa germplasm conservation and propagation, as well as for the production of bioactive compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parkinsonia aculeata L. (Caesalpiniaceae), native to the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts of southwestern USA and northern Mexico, has been introduced and successfully propagated in Jordan within the Greening the Desert Project. No phytochemical or biological studies have been carried out with this species grown in Jordan. The hydrodistilled essential oils of P. aculeata, from the fresh leaves and flowers (fully grown and at the pre-flowering stage), as well as their spontaneous emitted volatiles, were determined by Solid-Phase-Micro-Extraction (SPME), and analyzed by GC and GC-MS. Water and ethanol extracts were screened by LC-MS and evaluated for their antiproliferative activities on two colorectal- (Caco2 and HCT116) and two breast cancer- (MCF7 and T47D) cell lines. The monoterpene trans- ocimene appeared as the major compound of the aroma profile of all the studied organs while the hydro-distilled oils contained larger percentages of non-terpenoid volatile substances. LC-MS analyses of the water extract of the aerial parts revealed the presence of sixteen compounds, with 4-methylumbelliferone, succinic acid, vitexin, and hyperoside being the major identified compounds. In the ethanol extract of the aerial parts eleven compounds were identified, with iso-orientin and chrysoeriol-7-glucoside as the major compounds. Biologically, the water extract of the P. aculeata showed promising antiproliferative activity against the four tested cell lines with IC 50 s ranging between 17.5 and 77 μg/mL. Findings encourage future studies to isolate the water extract components of P. aculeata to investigate their anticancer activities against different cancer cell lines and to consider it as a complementary therapy for colorectal cancer. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although tropical deciduous forest (TDF) is the most widespread tropical forest in Mexico, knowledge on its regeneration and restoration ecology is still scarce. Here, we compare the diversity of TDF trees and shrubs having published propagation protocols with the total diversity of tree and shrub species recorded in a survey of 20 sites in Mexico, and we review data on survival of plants transplanted to disturbed sites. A large proportion of propagated species are leguminous, with few or no published reports on 11 diverse and widespread families, which account for 264 species. Data are insufficient for plant performance on disturbed sites, and therefore it is not possible at present to discuss if the large variations in survival are related to different disturbances regimes, climatic variations, soil characteristics, or plant quality. Research on these topics must be encouraged and made available to improve the extent and achievements of ecological restoration programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the Xochitla Botanical Garden's experience with the conservation of several Mexican oak species (two of them on the IUCN Red List). The project, which includes propagation, conservation, gardening, training, education and management, has provided a wealth of experiences and challenges, with a bearing on Xochitla's urban surroundings. We also draw attention to the importance of forming alliances with academic institutions and donor agencies to strengthen the project, which is aligned with the Global and Mexican Strategies for Plant Conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Features nine species of palms native to north-eastern Mexico successfully grown at Yucca Do Nursery. Physical description of the Mexican landscape; Brief description of the species; General propagation techniques.

Presents different forms of management done by the Nahua and Mextic on wild, weedy and domesticated plants in the Balsas River Basin, Mexico. Cultivation of domesticated plants; Plant gathering in natural vegetation areas; Tolerance of plant individuals during vegetation clearings; Enhancement and protection of wild plants; Sowing of propagules.

The article presents abstracts on turf propagation and wildlife reintroduction such as the articles "Turf Transplants for Restoration of Alpine Vegetation: Does Size Matter?," by Asa L. Aradottir, and "Consensus on Criteria for Potential Areas for Wolf Reintroduction in Mexico," by M. Araiza and colleagues.