Diagnosis for ecological intensification of maize-based smallholder farming systems in the Costa Chica, Mexico

Abstract

Enhanced utilization of ecological processes for food and feed production as part of the notion of ecological intensification starts from location-specific knowledge of production constraints. A diagnostic systems approach which combined socialeconomic and production ecological methods at farm and field level was developed and applied to diagnose extent and causes of the perceived low productivity of maize-based smallholder systems in two communities of the Costa Chica in South West Mexico. Socialeconomic and production ecological surveys were applied and complemented with model-based calculations. The results demonstrated that current nutrient management of crops has promoted nutrition imbalances, resulting in K-and, less surprisingly N-limited production conditions, reflected in low yields of the major crops maize and roselle and low resource use efficiencies. Production on moderate to steep slopes was estimated to result in considerable losses of soil and organic matter. Poor crop production, lack of specific animal fodder production systems and strong dependence on animal grazing within communal areas limited recycling of nutrients through manure. In combination with low prices for the roselle cash crop, farmers are caught in a vicious cycle of cash shortage and resource decline. The production ecological findings complemented farmers opinions by providing more insight in background and extent of livelihood constraints. Changing fertilizer subsidies and rethinking animal fodder production as well as use of communal lands requires targeting both formal and informal governance structures. The methodology has broader applicability in smallholder systems in view of its low demand on capital intensive resources.

Intercropping of Corn With Some Selected Legumes for Improved Forage Production: A Review

“…(Flores-sanchez et al, 2013). These findings make legumes an important tool in the cropping systems where N and K are the major yield limiting factors (Flores-Sanchez et al, 2011, 2012a. Rusinamhodzi et al (2012) -1) as intercrops, the nitrogen uptake was maximum in 1:1 row ratio (274 kg ha -1 ) compared to 1:2 row ratio (251 kg ha -1 ) (Kanakeri, 1991).…”

Farmer’s Knowledge and Perception of Diversified Farming Systems in Sub-Humid and Semi-Arid Areas in Benin

“…Diversified farming systems promote and enhance ecosystems services that provide critical inputs to agricultural systems' productivity and resilience amid a changing climate [14][15][16][17]. To develop culturally appropriate agroecological farming systems, it is crucial to include farmers' agroecological knowledge and location-specific knowledge of production constraints [12,[17][18][19]. Including this knowledge requires further understanding of the drivers of the spatio-temporal dynamics of farmers' agroecological knowledge.…”

Soil Pollution Due to Irrigation with Arsenic-Contaminated Groundwater: Current State of Science

“…If 0.65 m of groundwater containing an average of 500 μg/L As (Table 1) is applied over an hectare of maize fields, then roughly 3.25 kg of As would be loaded annually onto the soils. Assuming this amount of As is added into the top 20 cm of the irrigated surface of a 1-ha maize field with a soil density of 1.3 g/cm 3 [62], soil As concentrations would increase by 1.25 mg/kg annually. As with rice fields, elevated soil As in upland systems could lead to As accumulation in food crops, with possible adverse health implications.…”