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In order to know how some management indicators of silvopastoral systems and their plant health contribute to the duration of the main forage species that form their associations, eight silvopastoral systems were sampled (six in Matanzas province and two in Mayabeque province). The botanical composition of grasslands was measured, as well as the amount of weeds, the associated entomofauna and its functional composition. Results indicated that, having a proper management in paddocks of silvopastoral systems, in paddocks 1, 2, 4, 6 and that of double purpose (bull fattening-seed production), there was an increase of the percentage of meadow species in the botanical composition and the density of leucaena trees per hectare was maintained. A similar performance was obtained with the presence of phytophagous and beneficial insects, mainly in these last, which prevented massive outbreaks of pests during the evaluated period. In the paddocks with SSP-4, 5, 6 and 7, where the percentage of natural grasses increased, there was also an increase of the number of weeds, which is an indicator of bad management in animal husbandry, although in some cases they can be used as shelter and/or food (pollen or nectar) for predators and parasitoids, as it happened in the SSP-4 and 6. It can be concluded that management indicators (necessary rest time of the grass, animal stay and proning labors), as well as the conservation of natural enemies in the favorable environment created for them, allowed to maintain the biological balance (without massive outbreaks of pests) in the areas during the evaluated period. They also contributed to the persistence in time of the permanent forage plant resources that compose these systems (in their majority), and to their economic and environmental sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this research was to identify the fungi associated to stored seeds of Leucaena leucocephala cv. Peru, during the germination test. For such purpose a mycological analysis was performed on seeds with 6 and 18 months of storage (400 in each case, in four replications of 100), from the storehouse of La Rioja seed farm –belonging to the Livestock Production Enterprise Martí (Matanzas province, Cuba)–. The fungal agents were identified with the aid of taxonomic keys, and the data related to the number of germinated seeds, seeds with disease symptoms and seeds rotten by fungi were processed through the system of comparison of proportions. Eleven fungal species were diagnosed: Penicillium expansum; Aspergillus flavus,isolates 2, 3 and 4; Aspergillus niger; Fusarium oxysporum; Trichoderma sp.; Pestalotia sp.; Rhizopus stolonifer; Cladosporium sphaerospermum and Aspergillus wentii. Among them the first one stood out, with a maximum of 11,25 % of infection in the rotten 18-month seeds. The main symptoms were: seed discoloration, spots on the cotyledons and necrosis of the radicle. It is concluded that the fungal species found belong to seven of the most representative genera, which come from the field and the storehouse. The fungal agent P. expansum showed the highest infection percentage in the germinated and rotten seeds. Only six of the 11 species of fungi caused the main detected symptoms (P. expansum, A. flavus isolate 2, A. niger, F. oxysporum, Trichoderma sp. and Pestalotia sp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ten pure isolations of Aspergillus, obtained from previously-disinfected seeds of Leucaena leucocephala cv. Peru, were evaluated from the cultural and morphological point of view, in order to identify to which species they belonged. The fungi were planted from mycelial discs of 7 mm diameter, of cultures which were 10-15 days old, that were placed at the center of glass Petri dishes of 9 cm diameter and were incubated for10 days at 25 ºC, with alternance of 8 h of light by 6 h of darkness. The experimental design was completely randomized, and for each isolate three dishes were used as replications. The cultural aspects measured were: color of the colony on the obverse and reverse, diameter, texture, linear growth (cm/day), aerial growth and substratum pigmentation; and the morphological aspects: size, shape and color of the structures with taxonomic value for the determination of the Aspergillus species. Isolates No. 2, No. 3, No. 4 and No. 5 were in correspondence with the species Aspergillus flavus Link; No. 19, with Aspergillus wentii Wehmer; and treatments No. 7, No. 20 and No. 21, with Aspergillus niger van Tieghem. It is concluded that three Aspergillus species were associated with the stored leucaena seeds. It is recommended to continue the studies to achieve the identification of isolates No. 6 and No. 22 to the species level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to diagnose and identify the pathogens associated to diverse disease symptoms in Moringa oleifera seedlings, specifically in the provenances Supergenius and Nicaragua. The plant material (leaves and stems with spots, necrosis and leaf chlorosis and seedling wilting) was collected at the organoponic garden of the Pasture and Forage Research Station Indio Hatuey and was disinfected, to isolate and identify the causative agents. This was done from the cultural and morphological characterization of the isolations, which were cultivated on glass Petri dishes –sterilized, of 9 cm diameter‒ with the media potato and dextrose agar and carnation leaf agar, and using taxonomic keys. The presumptive diagnosis allowed to identify the presence of Colletotrichum dematium (Pers.) Grove and Fusarium solani (Mart.) Sacc., in the affected seedlings. The former was mainly linked to such symptoms as chlorosis, stem necrosis and leaf spots –small and rounded‒, light brown at the center and dark brown at the edge, located on the face and the back, and spread over the leaf lamina; while the latter was related to stem spots and necrosis and wilting and death of the M. oleifera seedlings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jatropha curcas Linnaeus (piñón botija), is considered as the great green promise for biodiesel, it is a plant from which there are considerable questions in the scientific field from the agronomic point of view, especially regarding the microorganisms that cause diseases. Among them the one known as damping off (strangling of the seedlings) stands out which is caused by some fungal species. Therefore, the objective of this article is to compile the highest amount of information about the principal phytopathogen microorganisms that affect J. curcas, as well as the possible strategies for their management, in order to obtain efficient and cost-effective yields of this energetic crop in Cuba. Forty-eight agents that cause diseases were found; the most representative ones were the fungi, with predominance of those that produce the rust and the powdery mildew, fundamentally. Regarding the phytosanitary management, the cultural preventive, as well chemical curative measurements are quoted. Therefore in Cuba, as well as in other countries where J. curcas is cultivated, it is indispensable to know the phytopathogens that can reduce the yields of such plant, to implement later a phytosanitary management system which contributes to avoid considerable losses in the production of biodiesel as final product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, Jatropha curcas Linnaeus constitutes one of the most studied plants worldwide due to its potential to produce oil, which can be transformed into biodiesel. However, there is not enough information yet about its ecological interactions with other plants and animals; for which the knowledge concerning the arthropods associated to J. curcas is an essential requisite for the adequate management of the crop. The objective of this paper is to present the results of a compilation made about these organisms (mainly insects, mites and spiders), to achieve a better exploitation of the plantations of this energy crop in Cuba. Within the group of plant-eaters, 151 insect species were found, among which two from order Hemiptera (Pachycoris klugii Burmeister (Scutelleridae) and Leptoglossus zonatus (Dallas)) stand out, in addition to four mite species. Among the beneficial ones, 90 insect, five mite and 13 predator spider species were found. Regarding pest management strategies, a higher emphasis is made on the chemical control measures and some cultural-type actions. Taking these antecedents into consideration, in Cuba it is essential to know the main organisms associated to this plant, in order to incorporate –with higher accuracy– the agroecological component in pest management, and thus contribute to the maintenance of the productive capacities of agroecosystems and their resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this work was to characterize cultural and morphologically ten Fusarium isolates, obtained from stored Leucaena leucocephala cv. Peru seeds, aiming at their taxonomic classification. Their pure cultures were preserved in Eppendorf tubes with Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) medium, in cold chamber at 10ºC. Each isolate was planted in three sterilized Petri dishes, of 9 cm diameter; they contained, separately, the PDA and Potato Sucrose Agar (PSA) media, which constituted the replicates; at their center a mycelial disk was placed, of 7 mm diameter, from 10-15-day-old cultures, also planted in such media. Afterwards, the dishes were sealed with wax paper and incubated for ten days at 25ºC, alternating 8 h of light/16 h of darkness, or in constant darkness. The measured cultural variables were: colony color on the obverse and reverse, texture and lineal and aerial growth; and the morphological variables were: size, shape and color of the vegetative and reproductive structures which appeared in the cultures. A completely randomized design was used, and the data were statistically processed through a descriptive analysis. For the fungi identification different taxonomic keys were used. Isolates 10, 18 and 29 were in correspondence with the characteristics described in scientific literature for the species Fusarium oxysporum Schlecht; 17, 28 and 30, to Fusarium sambucinum Fuckel; 27, to Fusarium semitectum Berk & Rav.; 25 and 26, to Fusarium incarnatum (Rob) Sacc, and 31, to Fusarium chlamydosporum Wollenw & Reinking, which allowed the identification of five Fusarium species associated to the stored seeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

El objetivo de este trabajo fue caracterizar cultural y morfológicamente diez aislamientos de Fusarium, obtenidos de semillas de L. leucocephala cv. Perú almacenadas, con vistas a su clasificación taxonómica. Sus cultivos puros se conservaron en tubos Eppendorf con medio Agar Papa y Dextrosa (APD), en cámara fría a 10°C. La siembra de cada aislamiento se realizó en tres placas Petri, esterilizadas, de 9 cm de diámetro; estas contenían, separadamente, los medios APD y Agar Papa Sacarosa (APS), que constituyeron las réplicas; se colocó en su centro un disco micelial de 7 mm de diámetro, procedente de cultivos con 10-15 días de edad, sembrados también en dichos medios. Posteriormente, las placas se sellaron con papel parafinado y se incubaron durante diez días a 25°C, con alternancia de 8 h de luz/16 h de oscuridad, o a oscuridad constante. Las variables culturales medidas fueron: el color de la colonia en el anverso y el reverso, la textura y el crecimiento lineal y aéreo; y como morfológicas se evaluaron: el tamaño, la forma y el color de las estructuras vegetativas y reproductivas que aparecieron en los cultivos. Se utilizó un diseño completamente aleatorizado y los datos se procesaron estadísticamente a través de un análisis descriptivo. Para la identificación de los hongos se utilizaron diferentes claves taxonómicas. Los aislamientos 10, 18 y 29 se correspondieron con las características descritas en la literatura científica para la especie Fusarium oxysporum Schlecht; el 17, el 28 y el 30, con Fusarium sambucinum Fuckel; el 27, con Fusarium semitectum Berk & Rav.; el 25 y el 26, con Fusarium incarnatum (Rob) Sacc, y el 31, con Fusarium chlamydosporum Wollenw & Reinking, lo que permitió la identificación de cinco especies de Fusarium asociadas a las simientes almacenadas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to define the main functional groups in the insect community present in two areas consisting in the association of Leucaena leucocephala cv. Peru and Panicum maximum cv. Likoni (a silvopastoral system and a seed field, respectively), both located at the Experimental Station of Pastures and Forages "Indio Hatuey", the leaves, inflorescences and pods of the legume and the foliage from the grass were sampled every 15 days, for three years, to collect the insects. The classification of the groups was made from: the identification of each insect species, the information provided by literature about its main feeding habit and the field observations. With these elements the phytophagous and beneficial insects were defined, and as subgroups of the latter: predators, parasitoids, pollinators, organic matter decomposers, coprophagous and mycophagous insects. A total of 113 insect species were identified, 63 with phytophagous habits and the other 50 were beneficial. In the tree stratum 88 species were found, 49 phytophagous (56%) and 39 beneficial (44%); and there were 103 species in the herbaceous stratum, 59 phytophagous insects (57%) and 44 beneficial (43%); 78 species coincided in the two strata. It is outstanding that in both strata predators and parasitoids from the orders Hymenoptera, Coleoptera and Diptera prevailed, such as: Cycloneda sanguinea limbifer Casey, Coccinella maculata (De Geer), Chilocorus cacti Linnaeus, Conura sp., Pimpla marginella (Brullé) and Rogas sp. The structure and function of the insect community were concluded to show a relatively higher number of phytophagous insects as compared to the beneficial ones; however, the predominance of natural enemies, responsible for the regulating activity of phytophagous populations, which they keep below the economic damage threshold in the leucaena crops in the country, was important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Con el objetivo de definir los principales grupos funcionales en la comunidad de insectos presentes en dos áreas compuestas por la asociación de Leucaena leucocephala cv. Perú y Panicum maximum cv. Likoni (un sistema silvopastoril y un campo de semilla, respectivamente), ambas localizadas en la Estación Experimental de Pastos y Forrajes "Indio Hatuey", se muestrearon cada 15 días, durante tres años, las hojas, las inflorescencias y las legumbres de la leguminosa y el follaje de la gramínea, para colectarlos. La clasificación de los grupos se realizó a partir de: la identificación de cada especie insectil, la información que ofrece la literatura acerca de su . hábito principal de alimentación y las observaciones realizadas en el campo. Con estos elementos se definieron los fitófagos y los benéficos, y como subgrupos de estos últimos: los depredadores, los parasitoides, los polinizadores, los descomponedores de la materia orgánica, los coprófagos y los micófagos. En total se identificaron 113 especies de insectos, 63 con hábitos fitófagos y los 50 restantes benéficos. En el estrato arbóreo se encontraron 88 especies, 49 fitófagas (56%) y 39 benéficas (44%); y 103 en el herbáceo, 59 insectos fitófagos (57%) y 44 benéficos (43%); 78 especies coincidieron en los dos estratos. Se destaca que en ambos predominaron los depredadores y los parasitoides de los órdenes Hymenoptera, Coleoptera y Diptera, tales como: Cycloneda sanguinea limbifer Casey, Coccinella maculata (De Geer), Chilocorus cacti Linnaeus, Conura sp., Pimpla marginella (Brullé) y Rogas sp. Se concluye que la estructura y función de la comunidad de insectos mostró un número relativamente mayor de insectos fitófagos con respecto a los benéficos; sin embargo, fue importante el predominio de los enemigos naturales, responsables de la actividad reguladora de las poblaciones de fitófagos, a las que mantienen por debajo del umbral de daño económico en el cultivo de la leucaena en el país. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to identify the fungal agents associated to seeds of Leucaena leucocephala cv. Peru stored under ambient conditions, from the cultural and morphological characterization of 12 pure isolations; they were obtained from planting the fungal structures (vegetative and/or reproductive), in Petri dishes (9 cm diameter) which contained Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) and Malt Agar (MA). The dishes were incubated for 10 days at 25°C, alternating 8 h light/16 h darkness or at constant darkness, according to the requirements of each organism. Seven fungal agents associated to the seeds were identified, which were classified taking into consideration the cultural and morphological characteristics, and they were corroborated with the taxonomic keys. This allowed to group: Penicillium expansum Link, Rhizopus stolonifer Ehrenb. Ex Fr., Cladosporium sphaerospermum Penz., Chaetomium indicum Corda, Alternaria alternata (Fr) Keissl., Pestalotia sp. and Trichoderma sp. Such characteristics constitute an important tool for the identification of fungi to the species level, for which new studies with isolations #9 and #11 are recommended in order to complete the identification to species level in the case of genera Trichoderma and Pestalotia; as well as to identify the fungal species of the other isolations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combined influence of different drying methods, the storage conditions and the physiological age of seeds from Bauhinia purpurea, on their germinative capacity and quality was determined. The treatments for drying were: A) in the pods; B) artificial; and C) under sunlight. The moisture content (MC), germination and viability of the seeds were determined during the 12 months of storage in the cold-storage room. For the information processing multivariate analyses were used. In A the highest value of the germinative capacity (98,67%) was observed in the first evaluation, as in B (100%), where the differences between months were minimal in the whole study. In C the germinative capacity was 79,33% at 12 months, which represented a quantitative increase of longevity of the seeds with regards to A. The germinative process in A, between 0 and 9 months of storage, was completed 9 days after the test started, while in the other evaluations it occurred after 6 days. Between the seeds of B and C a similar performance was observed, only with the difference that the germinative potential could be expressed after 6 days in B at 0 and 2 months; in C at 0,1,2 and 11 months; while in B germination began after 6 days for 9 and 10 months. It is concluded that the treatments essayed in Ais work can be applied to bauhinia seeds, although the best results were obtained when using silica gel (B). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combined influence of different drying methods, the storage conditions and the physiological age of seeds from Bauhinia purpurea, on their germinative capacity and quality was determined. The treatments for drying were: A) in the pods; B) artificial; and C) under sunlight. The moisture content (MC), germination and viability of the seeds were determined during the 12 months of storage in the cold-storage room. For the information processing multivariate analyses were used. In A the highest value of the germinative capacity (98,67%) was observed in the first evaluation, as in B (100%), where the differences between months were minimal in the whole study. In C the germinative capacity was 79,33% at 12 months, which represented a quantitative increase of longevity of the seeds with regards to A. The germinative process in A, between 0 and 9 months of storage, was completed 9 days after the test started, while in the other evaluations it occurred after 6 days. Between the seeds of B and C a similar performance was observed, only with the difference that the germinative potential could be expressed after 6 days in B at 0 and 2 months; in C at 0, 1, 2 and 11 months; while in B germination began after 6 days for 9 and 10 months. It is concluded that the treatments essayed in this work can be applied to bauhinia seeds, although the best results were obtained when using silica gel (B). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A trial was carried out with the objective of determining the combined influence of different drying methods, the storage under ambient conditions and the physiological age of the seeds from B. purpurea, on their germination capacity and quality. The treatments for drying were: A) in the pods, B) artificial and C) under sunlight. The percentage of viability and germination, as well as the moisture content (MC), were determined, with a monthly frequency during a year of storage; in addition the temperature and relative humidity (maximum and minimum) were recorded during the evaluated period. In the information processing multivariate analyses (GLM and Factorial) were used. In treatments A and C similarities were observed regarding viability and germination, although the seeds reached physiological death at seven and nine months of permanence in the storehouse, respectively. The drying of the seeds with silica gel showed that the loss of germination capacity followed a cubic polynomial model, with a remarkable trend to linearity, and at the end of the study it was 70%. The differences between the MC of the seeds dried artificially (B) and under sunlight (C) allowed to confirm that longevity in B was two to four times higher than in C. The most influencing factors on the rate of quality loss of B. purpurea seeds stored under ambient conditions were moisture content and age of the seeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A trial was carried out with the objective of determining the combined influence of different drying methods, the storage under ambient conditions and the physiological age of the seeds from B. purpurea, on their germination capacity and quality. The treatments for drying were: A) in the pods, B) artificial and C) under sunlight. The percentage of viability and germination, as well as the moisture content (MC), were determined, with a monthly frequency during a year of storage; in addition the temperature and relative humidity (maximum and minimum) were recorded during the evaluated period. In the information processing multivariate analyses (GLM and Factorial) were used. In treatments A and C similarities were observed regarding viability and germination, although the seeds reached physiological death at seven and nine months of permanence in the storehouse, respectively. The drying of the seeds with silica gel showed that the loss of germination capacity followed a cubic polynomial model, with a remarkable trend to linearity, and at the end of the study it was 70%. The differences between the MC of the seeds dried artificially (B) and under sunlight (C) allowed to confirm that longevity in B was two to four times higher than in C. The most influencing factors on the rate of quality loss of B. purpurea seeds stored under ambient conditions were moisture content and age of the seeds.

The quality of seeds from Leucaena leucocephala constitutes the guarantee for the future seeding of the Cuban livestock areas; on it depends, to a certain extent, the use of this important protein feed source for animals and its spreading throughout the country. The objective of this work was to determine the quality of the seeds from L. leucocephala cv. Peru, one of the most cultivated commercial varieties nowadays, through the tests recommended by ISTA. The seeds were from the storehouse of the "La Rioja" farm belonging to the Marti Livestock Firm. A completely randomized design with four replications was used. The purity (97,0 and 94,5%) as well as the moisture content (10,09 and 9,87%) were within the optimum range for the stored seeds of this forage plant (6 and 18 months, respectively) and the germination percentages corresponded to the physiological age of the seeds (71 and 26%). Nine fungal genera {Aspergillus, Penicillium, Rhizopus, Chaetomium, Fusarium, Alternaría, Cladosporium, Trichoderma and Pestalotia) and a bacterial one (Erwinia sp.) were detected. The viability values (93,5 and 67,7% for lot 1 and 2, respectively) are considered acceptable for the seeds from this forage plant when it is stored under ambient conditions; nevertheless, the lower value in the seeds of lot 2 may have been caused by the increase in the percentage of seeds rotten by fungi, which had a direct influence on deterioration. Hence, it is recommended to continue the studies for identifying the fungal species associated to them and determining the ones that are pathogenic of this tree legume widely distributed in the livestock systems of the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

La calidad de las semillas de Leucaena leucocephala constituye la garantía de las futuras siembras de las áreas ganaderas de Cuba; de ella depende, en cierta medida, la utilización de esta importante fuente de alimentación proteica animal y su propagación por el país. El objetivo de este trabajo consistió en determinar la calidad de las simientes de L. leucocephala cv. Perú, una de las variedades comerciales más cultivadas en la actualidad, a través de las pruebas recomendadas por ISTA. Las semillas procedían del almacén de la finca "La Rioja" de la Empresa Pecuaria Martí. Se utilizó un diseño completamente aleatorizado con cuatro réplicas. Tanto la pureza (97,0 y 94,5%) como el contenido de humedad (10,09 y 9,87%) estuvieron en el rango óptimo para las semillas almacenadas de esta forrajera (6 y 18 meses, respectivamente) y los porcentajes de germinación se correspondieron con la edad fisiológica de las semillas (71 y 26%). Se detectaron nueve géneros fungosos (Aspergillus, Penicillium, Rhizopus, Chaetomium, Fusarium, Alternaría, Cladosporium, Trichoderma y Pestalotia) y uno bacteriano (Erwinia sp.). Los valores de viabilidad (93,5 y 67,7% para el lote 1 y 2, respectivamente) se consideran aceptables para las semillas de esta forrajera cuando es almacenada al ambiente; no obstante, el menor valor en las del lote 2 pudo estar dado por el incremento en el porcentaje de semillas podridas por los hongos, lo cual influyó directamente en el deterioro. De ahí que se recomiende continuar los estudios para identificar las especies fungosas asociadas a ellas y determinar las que resulten patógenas de esta leguminosa arbórea ampliamente distribuida en los sistemas ganaderos del país. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A mycological diagnosis was carried out on seeds from Leucaena leucocephala cv. Peru which had been stored for 18 months under environmental conditions, with the objective of identifying the main fungi associated to them, and to determine the ones that had not been previously recorded. For that, Blotter Test was used according to the recommendations of ISTA (1999) for the pathological analysis of the seeds from tropical trees. The isolations of the fungi obtained were characterized from the morphological, cultural and pathogenic point of view. The most important finding was the detection and identification, for the first time in Cuba, of the legume tree under study; characteristics which coincided with the description in the different taxonomic keys consulted. Besides, the pathogenic character of such fungal agent could be detected as it caused a 20% rot to seeds that had not been germinated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new report for Cuba of Ithome lassula Hodges (Lepidoptera: Cosmopterigidae), species associated to the forage plant Leucaena leucocephala, was confirmed with the identification of the adults, using a key based on the maculation of the scales in the zone of the insect's head. The adults emerged in the laboratory, from the larvae collected on the inflorescences; they came from the different livestock production systems that were sampled in the Matanzas and Mayabeque provinces, which were integrated by the four commercial varieties of the legume and by pasture grasses. On the other hand, the detection of the lesions caused by the larvae of this cosmet moth in the inflorescences, and their repercussion on the production of leucaena seeds, constituted the most important element that should be considered to evaluate its potential as pest and when estimating the possible losses in the evaluated livestock production systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A research was conducted in order to identify the limitations for food production, as well as their causes and possible solutions, which were identified and constructed, jointly, with farmers, owners or usufructuaries of 25 farms of the Perico, Martí, Colón and Jagüey Grande municipalities (Matanzas province, Cuba) involved in the Local Agricultural Innovation Program (PIAL). The diagnosis was carried out in a participatory way, from the social, economic and environmental points of view, taking into consideration the methods recommended by the CATIE of Costa Rica. The main limitations identified were: the insufficient feeding basis for the animals; the high prices of agricultural inputs with regards to the price of the farmers' products; the inefficient productive chain, with unfulfillments by suppliers as well as recipients; the lack of agricultural knowledge of some recently incorporated owners or usufructuaries; as well as the low genetic quality of the animals. These limitations fundamentally affect the milk production, which constitutes the main commercial item of most of the studied farms, which in turn are affected by the inadequate soil cover due to overgrazing. The results indicated that the resources obtained by different ways should be directed towards those aspects of higher priority for the farms, which were discussed during the planning with the farmer families and with the managing boards of the cooperatives. This would speed up the elaboration of projects and would clarify the direction of the investments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted in 25 farms of the Perico, Martí, Colón and Jagüey Grande municipalities (Matanzas province, Cuba), in order to elaborate the farm plans applying a methodology for such purpose. A guide was prepared from the methodology proposed by Palma and Cruz (2010), modified according to the Cuban context, and several facilitators were trained who worked with farmer groups, for which in the elaboration of the plans the knowledge of the people with more experience was utilized. Researchers and professors of municipal university centers, research centers and agricultural teaching centers participated in the study. At the end of the workshops, the plans were revised by the whole group. The main limitations found were: food insufficiency, inaccessibility to water, existence of animals with low productive potential, lack of grazing paddocks, little diversity of pastures and deforestation. The elaboration of the plans through this methodology facilitated an exercise of collective reflection, from which the aspects that should be solved in the transformation of the farms were determined, with the support of the tacit knowledge of the farmers with more experience and that of the specialists. In addition, it was proven that the farm plan can serve to define and/or to adequate intervention strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to document the collection of turfgrass species maintained at the EEPF "Indio Hatuey", useful for ornamenting and turfing sports or recreational areas, the morphobotanical characterization of nine Cynodon dactylon accessions was conducted in the different phenological moments. For that purpose 11 quantitative and seven qualitative characteristics were taken into consideration. The existing variability in this collection was determined through a principal component analysis (PCA). The most variable indicators were stem diameter, leaf length and width, sheath length, internode length, inflorescence width, reproductive height and inflorescence length, which must be considered in future studies related to the breeding of these or other accessions with ornamental purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Experimental Station of Pastures and Forages "Indio Hatuey" has a germplasm of turfgrass species consisting in 12 accessions from four genera, which purpose is the ornamental use mainly for gardens and golf courses; however, their primary documentation does not exist. For such reason, the objective of this work was to characterize the species Paspalum salam, Zoysia japonica and Stenotaphrum secundatum. For this purpose, 11 quantitative and 9 qualitative characters were used. After performing a range analysis of the quantitative indicators, the three species are concluded to show appropriate characteristics for their use as ornamental plants. P. salam and Z. japonica are suitable for turf development and S. secundatum for gardens; yet, the latter can not be discarded, because it has intrinsic characteristics that should be taken into consideration when planning a breeding program of ornamental species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]