Abstract:The concept of Agroecology is still not widely discussed in European countries. Therefore, the aim of this review is to present a qualitative and quantitative mixed analysis of this conceptualization based on research papers to provide initial answers to the following questions: How has the agroecology been used in terms of social movement, science and agricultural practice in the European countries? At which scales has it been applied? Which factors have influenced its application? Speech analysis and multivariable techniques are applied to systematized information. According to found results, the concept of agroecology is mainly conceived as science, then as practice and to a lesser degree as a social movement. There is a predominance of studies at plot level, with a tendency to include physical-biological factors; and at agroecosystem, regional and agri-food system levels, including designers, landscapes and consumers. There is a conceptual evolution in extensive quantitative and intensive qualitative standings when the agroecology incorporates more factors, such as economic, social, and, to a lesser extent, cultural and political, and becomes more transdisciplinary as a response to more complex phenomena that support the genesis and development of this concept. In this regard, a greater balance between its conceptions (science, practice and social movement) is recommended to achieve a better dialogue between abstract and empirical levels.

The Heliconias have a great potential as a cut flower and for this reason an adequate management of the crop is important. The objective of this research was the application of soil amendments (Biol and superabsorbent polymers - SAP) and the analysis on their effect in the growth of Heliconia psittacorum cv. Tropica. An experiment was established using a completely randomized design with four treatments and five repetitions: SAP (1 g plant-1), biol (20 mL plant-1) + SAP (1 g plant-1), biol (20 mL plant-1) and one control (without application). A 20 cm rhizome was planted per pot and were evaluated the height of the plant, the number of leaves, the leaf area and the number of shoots were measured. The analysis of variance did not show statistical differences (p ≤ 0.05) between treatments for the variables of the height of the plant, the leaf area and the number of shoots, but statistical differences were found for the variable number of leaves (p ≤ 0.05), and the best treatments were Biol, SAP, and Biol + SAP. With the application of the biol and SAP amendments, it was not possible to increase the plant height, the leaf area and the number of Heliconia shoots. Regarding the application of SAP to the not found significant results in Heliconia, it is expected that treatments with SAP show a better effect in the dry season.

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Considering the agroclimatic and social diversity of Mexico, this paper starts by recognizing the potential of rural extensionists within a policy framework of agroecological transition in the country. This paper identifies the types of productive positioning (agroecological vs. conventional) of rural extensionists located across the diverse states and socioeconomic regions of Mexico. This data is intended to outline particular features for the differentiation and targeting of regional strategies to train extensionists according to their regional context. We analyzed 1448 questionnaires gathered in 2019 via the online platform SurveyMonkey from rural extensionists enrolled in the Mexican Rural Extension System (SERMexicano). The results revealed that extensionists mainly identified themselves with the agroecological model. However, a significant proportion across states and regions still associated themselves with the conventional model. Three types of trends were recognized in relation to the positioning of extensionists, namely agroecological, towards neutrality, and contrasting. According to the socioeconomic regions where extensionists are located, diverse inter- and intraregional nuances among these positionings were also identified. Finally, we conclude by emphasizing the need for this heterogeneity to be considered in order to design and implement programs aimed at transitioning and expanding agroecology in Mexico.

Ensuring extension of the vase life of Heliconia commercial stems is essential for the consumer acceptance process. For this, the objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of hydration on the vase life of two Heliconia cultivars. The experimental design was in randomized blocks with subdivided plots (cultivar x hydration) with 6 replicates, being cultivars x hydration: no hydration (control), water hydration and hydration + sugar. The results considering cultivars as a factor showed a statistically significant difference (P ≤ 0.05). According to the comparison of means (P ≤ 0.05), the Heliconia psittacorum x spathorcinata tropics showed the best response. Both hydration and interaction between cultivars, showed no significant differences (P ≤ 0.05). Hydration did not guarantee a greater number of days of durability, so it is a good alternative, the use of dry treatment and the reduction on the excessive water use, according to the results obtained in this study.

Objective: Analyze the contemporary scientific contributions of the Masters and Doctorate Graduate Program in Tropical Agroecosystems (PTA) taught at the Colegio de Postgraduados, Campus Veracruz, facing the current challenges of Mexican agriculture. Design/methodology/approach: A bibliographic search was carried out in SCOPUS and Web of Science, on papers (N = 92) published during 2014-2019 by PTA research-professors. A textual analysis was carried out using Nvivo Software to identify the scientific contributions, based on problematic categories suggested by FAO for Mexico. Results: Scientific contributions are more prolific in relation to the increment of agricultural productivity (66 %), to a lesser extent in sustainable practices (14.9 %), articulation of public policies (10.6%), and initiating in adaptation and mitigation of climate risks (8.5 %). Limitations of the study/implications: Findings excluded publications not indexed in SCOPUS or Web of Science or out of the analyzed period. Findings/conclusions: The PTA shows social relevance in the generation of knowledge, with scientific contributions to the current challenges of Mexican agriculture. However, they have mainly focused on increasing agricultural productivity; this does not allow the achievement of the challenges of the PTA towards research processes aimed at trans discipline. This suggests a new research role that approach disciplinary interfaces.

Efecto de la inoculación de Azospirillum spp. sobre el contenido nutrimental de moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) Inoculation effect of Azospirillum spp. over nutrimental content of moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.)

Heliconias have great commercial importance due to their durability of inflorescences, sizes, forms and bright colors. Regarding its production, the mineral nutrition of the crop is one of the most relevant aspects to obtain quality floral stems. The objective was to determine the influence of N-P-K on the growth and nutritional content of Heliconia stricta Dwarf Jamaican. A completely randomized block design was used with four treatments and five repetitions. The treatments consisted in fertilizing the soil with N-P-K. The levels of fertilization expressed in kg ha-1 of NPK were: control without application 00-00-00 (T100), 31-31-31 (T231), 62-62-62 (T362) and 93-93-93 (T493). The plants received the treatments for six months. Growth variables and nutrient contents of heliconia biomass were evaluated. The analysis of variance showed significant statistical differences (P ≤ 0.05) in the vigor and color of the plant, as well as the phosphorus, magnesium and copper contents. The significant increases in vigor and color were with doses 31-31-31 and 62-62-62 of NPK. As for the contents of P, Mg and Cu were influenced by doses 31-31-31, 62-62-62 and 93-93-93 of NPK. This work shows important findings in relation to the nutritional diagnosis in the foliar content of nutrients.