Abstract

SALINAS, Juan Carlos Caballero et al. Morphological composition and yields of native maize without the use of agrochemicals in Chiapas, Mexico. Siembra [online]. 2023, vol.10, n.2, e3997. ISSN 2477-8850.  https://doi.org/10.29166/siembra.v10i2.3997.

The objective of this study was to characterize the morphological composition of five populations of native maize and estimate their yields using agricultural practices without the use of agrochemicals. The study conducted in 2021, in the municipality of Cintalapa, Chiapas, within the experimental field of the Regional Academic Center of the Antonio Narro Autonomous Agrarian University. The five populations of native maize were provided by farmers from different regions of the state, with prior informed consent. The Agricultural practices consisted of using plant extracts and potassium soap with neem extract (Azadirachta indica) to prevent and combat pests. For fertilization, Californian red earthworm (Eisenia foetida) leachate and bat guano were applied in their commercial presentation. Morphological characters were evaluated with a descriptive statistical analysis considering days to male and female flowering, plant and ear height ear length and diameter, number of rows per ear and number of kernels per row. Grain yield was estimated by the weight of the ear harvested from a random sample of 20 plants per population. Numerical differences of the studied variables were identified, which demonstrates an existing genetic diversity. The populations with the highest yields were Campeón and Olotillo, with 5.37 and 4.4 ton ha-1 (± 1.24), respectively. The data provide information to design native maize conservation strategies through agrochemical-free management.

Keywords : agroecology; bioinputs; genetic diversity; maize conservation.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )