2024
Espinosa-García, F. J.; de la Barrera, E.; González-Jácome, A.
The conceptual babel of agroecologies is related to their diverse origins and objectives Journal Article
In: Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems, vol. 48, iss. 1, pp. 4-16, 2024.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: agriculture, agroecology, food security, sustainable agriculture, sustainable development goals
@article{Espinosa-García2024,
title = {The conceptual babel of agroecologies is related to their diverse origins and objectives},
author = {F.J. Espinosa-García and E. de la Barrera and A. González-Jácome},
url = {http://agro.mx/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/074-Espinosa-et-al-babel-agroecologies.pdf},
doi = {10.1080/21683565.2023.2270938},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-01-01},
urldate = {2024-01-01},
journal = {Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems},
volume = {48},
issue = {1},
pages = {4-16},
abstract = {The term agroecology has undergone broad diversification since it was first conceived as the study of the ecology of agricultural systems. In addition to the “tripartite” definition, which includes science, practice, and social movement, political and “emancipatory” agroecologies, among others, are included. There is no consensus on the meaning of “agroecology” and “agroecological,” nor the objectives and uses associated with those concepts. Thus, despite the concept of “agroecology” not being consolidated nor unisemic, its meaning and application continue to diversify according to the interests and perspectives of the users. That diversification encompasses different ways of looking at agriculture’s role in human societies and the environment in which they are based and function. Agroecology, too, has been seen as an activity whose objectives include issues as diverse as mythical, ceremonial, dogmatic, political, or religious. Moreover, this unrestricted diversification also devalues and trivializes the term and hinders the mutual understanding among academics, practitioners, promoters, decision-makers, the public, and government agencies. We begin a series of reflections on the various agroecologies in Mexico that we hope will promote the formation of clear, well-defined, and documented concepts to contribute to synergies among agroecologies and the advancement of their objectives.},
keywords = {agriculture, agroecology, food security, sustainable agriculture, sustainable development goals},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The term agroecology has undergone broad diversification since it was first conceived as the study of the ecology of agricultural systems. In addition to the “tripartite” definition, which includes science, practice, and social movement, political and “emancipatory” agroecologies, among others, are included. There is no consensus on the meaning of “agroecology” and “agroecological,” nor the objectives and uses associated with those concepts. Thus, despite the concept of “agroecology” not being consolidated nor unisemic, its meaning and application continue to diversify according to the interests and perspectives of the users. That diversification encompasses different ways of looking at agriculture’s role in human societies and the environment in which they are based and function. Agroecology, too, has been seen as an activity whose objectives include issues as diverse as mythical, ceremonial, dogmatic, political, or religious. Moreover, this unrestricted diversification also devalues and trivializes the term and hinders the mutual understanding among academics, practitioners, promoters, decision-makers, the public, and government agencies. We begin a series of reflections on the various agroecologies in Mexico that we hope will promote the formation of clear, well-defined, and documented concepts to contribute to synergies among agroecologies and the advancement of their objectives.
2023
Díaz-Álvarez, E. A.; Martínez-Zavaleta, J. P.; López-Santis, E. E.; de la Barrera, E.; Larsen, J.; del-Val, E.
Climate change can trigger fall armyworm outbreaks: a developmental response experiment with two Mexican maice landraces Journal Article
In: International Journal of Pest Management, vol. 69, iss. 2, pp. 184-192, 2023.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: agricultural pests, agriculture, food security, herbivory, larvae
@article{Díaz-Álvarez2021b,
title = {Climate change can trigger fall armyworm outbreaks: a developmental response experiment with two Mexican maice landraces},
author = {E. A. Díaz-Álvarez and J. P. Martínez-Zavaleta and E. E. López-Santis and E. de la Barrera and J. Larsen and E. del-Val},
doi = {10.1080/09670874.2020.1869347},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-03-26},
urldate = {2023-03-26},
journal = {International Journal of Pest Management},
volume = {69},
issue = {2},
pages = {184-192},
abstract = {Maize is one of the most important crops in the world, particularly in Mexico where it was domesticated and is central to traditional cultures. The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda [J.E. Smith]), is a major pest that can greatly reduce production of this crop. Climate change also threatens maize production, as projections estimate an increase of fall armyworm outbreaks. For these reasons, (1) we assessed the changes in the S. frugiperda life cycle along a temperature gradient ranging from 23 °C to 31 °C, and (2) assessed the development of larvae feeding on two Mexican landraces and the responses of each landrace to herbivory under current and predicted climatic conditions; both assessments were conducted under laboratory conditions. Development was faster and each life cycle stage was shorter at higher temperatures. The effect of herbivory differed between the landraces; herbivory was more harmful for White Ranchero than for Yellow. As warmer and drier conditions are expected during this century, sowing appropriate maize landraces that can cope with herbivores under climate change could mitigate potential economic losses.},
keywords = {agricultural pests, agriculture, food security, herbivory, larvae},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Maize is one of the most important crops in the world, particularly in Mexico where it was domesticated and is central to traditional cultures. The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda [J.E. Smith]), is a major pest that can greatly reduce production of this crop. Climate change also threatens maize production, as projections estimate an increase of fall armyworm outbreaks. For these reasons, (1) we assessed the changes in the S. frugiperda life cycle along a temperature gradient ranging from 23 °C to 31 °C, and (2) assessed the development of larvae feeding on two Mexican landraces and the responses of each landrace to herbivory under current and predicted climatic conditions; both assessments were conducted under laboratory conditions. Development was faster and each life cycle stage was shorter at higher temperatures. The effect of herbivory differed between the landraces; herbivory was more harmful for White Ranchero than for Yellow. As warmer and drier conditions are expected during this century, sowing appropriate maize landraces that can cope with herbivores under climate change could mitigate potential economic losses.
2021
Alcántara-Plazola, J. J.; de la Barrera, E.
Quantification of embedded phosphorus in Mexican agriculture Journal Article
In: Sustainable Production and Consumption, vol. 28C, pp. 824-828, 2021, ISSN: 2352-5509.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: agriculture, embedded phosphorus, food security, phosphorus, planetary boundaries, telecoupling
@article{Alcántara-Plazola2021,
title = {Quantification of embedded phosphorus in Mexican agriculture},
author = {J. J. Alcántara-Plazola and E. de la Barrera},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352550921002104},
doi = {10.1016/j.spc.2021.07.011},
issn = {2352-5509},
year = {2021},
date = {2021-07-14},
journal = {Sustainable Production and Consumption},
volume = {28C},
pages = {824-828},
abstract = {Phosphorus is an essential element for agricultural production, and for life in general, whose availability as a mineral is geographically restricted. Considering that Mexico is a major contributor to the global flow of water embedded in agricultural commodities, it is likely that this country is also a major exporter of embedded phosphorus. Thus, we quantified the embedded phosphorus for the 38 major crops produced in Mexico from 1980 to 2015, which were grouped into forages, fruits and vegetables, cereals, legumes, and cash crops. The total phosphorus extracted was 4.4 × 106 tonnes for an agricultural production of 5,844 × 106 tonnes, which respectively increased by 86% and 145% over 35 years. Food crops, i.e., cereals, fruits and vegetables, and legumes, accounted for 44% of the total phosphorus extracted, forages for 38%, and cash crops for 18%. Forage production exhibited a substantial increase since 1995, becoming the largest phosphorus extractor by 2000. Our estimation of embedded phosphorus is susceptible of utilization in other countries and is a first step to estimate a country's phosphorus balance, which is necessary to understand the magnitude of the anthropogenic alteration of a biogeochemical cycle that is essential for the maintenance of life on earth.},
keywords = {agriculture, embedded phosphorus, food security, phosphorus, planetary boundaries, telecoupling},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Phosphorus is an essential element for agricultural production, and for life in general, whose availability as a mineral is geographically restricted. Considering that Mexico is a major contributor to the global flow of water embedded in agricultural commodities, it is likely that this country is also a major exporter of embedded phosphorus. Thus, we quantified the embedded phosphorus for the 38 major crops produced in Mexico from 1980 to 2015, which were grouped into forages, fruits and vegetables, cereals, legumes, and cash crops. The total phosphorus extracted was 4.4 × 106 tonnes for an agricultural production of 5,844 × 106 tonnes, which respectively increased by 86% and 145% over 35 years. Food crops, i.e., cereals, fruits and vegetables, and legumes, accounted for 44% of the total phosphorus extracted, forages for 38%, and cash crops for 18%. Forage production exhibited a substantial increase since 1995, becoming the largest phosphorus extractor by 2000. Our estimation of embedded phosphorus is susceptible of utilization in other countries and is a first step to estimate a country's phosphorus balance, which is necessary to understand the magnitude of the anthropogenic alteration of a biogeochemical cycle that is essential for the maintenance of life on earth.
2019
Osuna-Vallejo, V.; Sáenz-Romero, C.; Escalera-Vázquez, L.; de la Barrera, E.; Lindig-Cisneros, R.
Total mercury in plant tissue from a mining landscape in Western Mexico Journal Article
In: Bulletin of Environmental Contamination & Toxicology, vol. 102, no. 1, pp. 19-24, 2019.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: agriculture, biomonitors, conifers, pollution, temperate forest, tropical forest
@article{Osuna-Vallejo2019,
title = {Total mercury in plant tissue from a mining landscape in Western Mexico},
author = {V. Osuna-Vallejo and C. Sáenz-Romero and L. Escalera-Vázquez and E. de la Barrera and R. Lindig-Cisneros},
doi = {10.1007/s00128-018-2488-0},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-01-15},
journal = {Bulletin of Environmental Contamination & Toxicology},
volume = {102},
number = {1},
pages = {19-24},
abstract = {Environmental impacts of mining activities are well known, particularly on-site degradation, but long term effects are less known. Mercury content from vegetation samples from a mine dump and surrounding forests was quantified for understanding the fate of this element in the local the environment. The study area, Tlalpujahua, Michoacán, México, has a mining history going back more than 400 years. Including gold and silver extraction by means of mercury amalgamation for 352 years (1554–1906). Mercury was present in all sampled materials. The highest values correspond to wood samples from the mine dump (13.84 ± 3.88 ppm), while wood samples from adjacent forests had 4.3 ± 2.4 ppm, almost twice as much as coniferous needles, shrub leaves and corn seeds (2.2 ± 0.34 ppm). The highest concentration was found for J. deppeana wood (16.05 ± 2.3 ppm). The capacity of accumulating mercury by Juniperus trees when growing on the mine dumps suggests that this species has a potential to be used for biosequestration purposes.},
keywords = {agriculture, biomonitors, conifers, pollution, temperate forest, tropical forest},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Environmental impacts of mining activities are well known, particularly on-site degradation, but long term effects are less known. Mercury content from vegetation samples from a mine dump and surrounding forests was quantified for understanding the fate of this element in the local the environment. The study area, Tlalpujahua, Michoacán, México, has a mining history going back more than 400 years. Including gold and silver extraction by means of mercury amalgamation for 352 years (1554–1906). Mercury was present in all sampled materials. The highest values correspond to wood samples from the mine dump (13.84 ± 3.88 ppm), while wood samples from adjacent forests had 4.3 ± 2.4 ppm, almost twice as much as coniferous needles, shrub leaves and corn seeds (2.2 ± 0.34 ppm). The highest concentration was found for J. deppeana wood (16.05 ± 2.3 ppm). The capacity of accumulating mercury by Juniperus trees when growing on the mine dumps suggests that this species has a potential to be used for biosequestration purposes.
2018
Orozco-Martínez, R.; de la Barrera, E.
Can germination requirements predict tolerance to extreme weather? — An assessment for heirloom maize from the P'urhépecha Plateau Journal Article
In: International Journal of Agriculture and Biology, vol. 20, no. 9, pp. 2039-2044, 2018.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: agriculture, cereal, climate change, domestication, drought, ecophysiology, food security, germination, maize
@article{Orozco-Martínez2018,
title = {Can germination requirements predict tolerance to extreme weather? — An assessment for heirloom maize from the P'urhépecha Plateau},
author = {R. Orozco-Martínez and E. de la Barrera },
url = {http://www.fspublishers.org/Issue.php?categoryID=158
http://agro.mx/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/045-OrozcoMtz-delaBarrera-maize-germination.pdf},
doi = {10.17957/IJAB/15.0727},
year = {2018},
date = {2018-07-27},
journal = {International Journal of Agriculture and Biology},
volume = {20},
number = {9},
pages = {2039-2044},
abstract = {The temperature and water potential requirements for seed germination were determined for five heirloom maizes from three different agroclimatological regions from the P'urhépecha community of San Francisco Pichátaro, Michoacán, Mexico. Germination experiments were conducted in environmental controlled chambers exposing seeds to day/night air temperatures (12 h photoperiod) of 15/5, 20/10, or 35/25ºC, and to water potentials of 0, –0.01, –0.05, –0.1, or –0.5 MPa, which were created with aqueous solutions of polyethylene glycol (molecular weight 20,000). Germination was maximal and occurred at a faster rate for seeds incubated at 35/25ºC. In turn, a high water potential of 0.0 or –0.01 MPa was necessary to achieve maximum germination, which decreased under more negative water potentials until germination was completely inhibited for seeds incubated under –0.5 MPa failed. Although an environmental specialization for germination was not observed among the heirloom maize evaluated, their ability to germinate maximally under high temperatures is indicative of their cultivation potential under the increasing air temperatures expected to occur during the present century. In contrast, germination sensitivity to relatively mild water potentials may be a conservative ecophysiological trait of drought-escape for this tropical annual plant.},
keywords = {agriculture, cereal, climate change, domestication, drought, ecophysiology, food security, germination, maize},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The temperature and water potential requirements for seed germination were determined for five heirloom maizes from three different agroclimatological regions from the P'urhépecha community of San Francisco Pichátaro, Michoacán, Mexico. Germination experiments were conducted in environmental controlled chambers exposing seeds to day/night air temperatures (12 h photoperiod) of 15/5, 20/10, or 35/25ºC, and to water potentials of 0, –0.01, –0.05, –0.1, or –0.5 MPa, which were created with aqueous solutions of polyethylene glycol (molecular weight 20,000). Germination was maximal and occurred at a faster rate for seeds incubated at 35/25ºC. In turn, a high water potential of 0.0 or –0.01 MPa was necessary to achieve maximum germination, which decreased under more negative water potentials until germination was completely inhibited for seeds incubated under –0.5 MPa failed. Although an environmental specialization for germination was not observed among the heirloom maize evaluated, their ability to germinate maximally under high temperatures is indicative of their cultivation potential under the increasing air temperatures expected to occur during the present century. In contrast, germination sensitivity to relatively mild water potentials may be a conservative ecophysiological trait of drought-escape for this tropical annual plant.
2016
de la Barrera, E.
COP-eration for global food security Journal Article
In: F1000Research, vol. 5, pp. 2814, 2016.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: agriculture, biodiversity, food security, public policy, science communication
@article{delaBarrera2016b,
title = {COP-eration for global food security},
author = {E. de la Barrera},
url = {https://f1000research.com/articles/5-2814},
year = {2016},
date = {2016-12-05},
journal = {F1000Research},
volume = {5},
pages = {2814},
abstract = {Mexico is hosting the 13th Conference of the Parts (COP-13) on the Convention on Biological Diversity. Participants will have another opportunity to "integrate biodiversity for wellbeing." Considering that food production is a major driver for the loss of biological diversity, despite the fact that ample genetic reservoirs are crucial for the persistence of agriculture in a changing world, food can be a conduit for bringing biodiversity into people's minds and government agendas. If this generation is going to "live in harmony with nature," as the Aichi Biodiversity Targets indicate, such an integration needs to be developed between the agricultural and environmental sectors throughout the world, especially as an increasingly urban civilization severs its cultural connections to food origin.},
keywords = {agriculture, biodiversity, food security, public policy, science communication},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Mexico is hosting the 13th Conference of the Parts (COP-13) on the Convention on Biological Diversity. Participants will have another opportunity to "integrate biodiversity for wellbeing." Considering that food production is a major driver for the loss of biological diversity, despite the fact that ample genetic reservoirs are crucial for the persistence of agriculture in a changing world, food can be a conduit for bringing biodiversity into people's minds and government agendas. If this generation is going to "live in harmony with nature," as the Aichi Biodiversity Targets indicate, such an integration needs to be developed between the agricultural and environmental sectors throughout the world, especially as an increasingly urban civilization severs its cultural connections to food origin.
2012
Orozco-Martínez, R.; del-Val, E.; Lindig-Cisneros, R.; Paz, H.; Quesada, M.; de la Barrera, E.
Evaluation of three organic fertilizers for growing the widely cultivated crop Cucurbita pepo L. Journal Article
In: African Journal of Agricultural Research, vol. 7, no. 7, pp. 1087-1097, 2012.
Links | BibTeX | Tags: agriculture, agroecology, compost, crop, Cucurbita, Eichornia, invasive species, nitrogen
@article{Orozco-Martínez2012,
title = {Evaluation of three organic fertilizers for growing the widely cultivated crop Cucurbita pepo L.},
author = {R. Orozco-Martínez and E. del-Val and R. Lindig-Cisneros and H. Paz and M. Quesada and E. de la Barrera },
url = {http://www.academicjournals.org/journal/AJAR/article-abstract/7FF8F8B44821},
year = {2012},
date = {2012-02-19},
journal = {African Journal of Agricultural Research},
volume = {7},
number = {7},
pages = {1087-1097},
keywords = {agriculture, agroecology, compost, crop, Cucurbita, Eichornia, invasive species, nitrogen},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
2007
de la Barrera, E.; Andrade, J. L.
Diversidad fisiológica de las plantas mexicanas: el caso de un metabolismo fotosintético especial Journal Article
In: Boletín de la Sociedad Botánica de México, vol. 81, pp. 157-159, 2007.
Links | BibTeX | Tags: Agave, agriculture, bromeliad, cactus, CAM, epiphytes, prickly pear
@article{delaBarrera2007b,
title = {Diversidad fisiológica de las plantas mexicanas: el caso de un metabolismo fotosintético especial},
author = {E. de la Barrera and J. L. Andrade},
url = {http://agro.mx/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/016-De-la-Barrera-y-Andrade-2007-BolSocMex-CAM-simposio.pdf},
year = {2007},
date = {2007-03-03},
journal = {Boletín de la Sociedad Botánica de México},
volume = {81},
pages = {157-159},
keywords = {Agave, agriculture, bromeliad, cactus, CAM, epiphytes, prickly pear},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Andrade, J. L.; de la Barrera, E.; Reyes-García, C.; Ricalde, M. F.; Vargas-Soto, G.; Cervera, J. C.
El metabolismo ácido de las crasuláceas: diversidad, fisiología ambiental, y productividad Journal Article
In: Boletín de la Sociedad Botánica de México, vol. 81, pp. 37-50, 2007.
Links | BibTeX | Tags: agriculture, CAM, ecophysiology, environmental indicators, environmental productivity index, epiphytes, microenvironment, plasticity, stable isotopes
@article{Andrade2007,
title = {El metabolismo ácido de las crasuláceas: diversidad, fisiología ambiental, y productividad},
author = {J. L. Andrade and E. de la Barrera and C. Reyes-García and M. F. Ricalde and G. Vargas-Soto and J. C. Cervera},
url = {http://www.ibiologia.unam.mx/sociedad/www/pdf/BSBM%2082/Boletines%20publicados/Numero%2081/Sobretiro%20PWD%20BSBM81/Andrade%20et%20al%202007%20%28BSBM81%2037-50%29.pdf},
year = {2007},
date = {2007-02-02},
journal = {Boletín de la Sociedad Botánica de México},
volume = {81},
pages = {37-50},
keywords = {agriculture, CAM, ecophysiology, environmental indicators, environmental productivity index, epiphytes, microenvironment, plasticity, stable isotopes},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
2005
de la Barrera, E.; Andrade, J. L.
Challenges to plant megadiversity: how environmental physiology can help Journal Article
In: New Phytologist, vol. 167, pp. 5-8, 2005.
Links | BibTeX | Tags: acclimation, agriculture, cactus, climate change, conservation, ecophysiology, legume, nitrogen, plant diversity, public policy, seed, stable isotopes, tropical forest
@article{delaBarrera2005b,
title = {Challenges to plant megadiversity: how environmental physiology can help},
author = {E. de la Barrera and J. L. Andrade},
url = {http://agro.mx/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/012-De-la-Barrera-Andrade-2005-New-Phytol.pdf},
year = {2005},
date = {2005-05-01},
journal = {New Phytologist},
volume = {167},
pages = {5-8},
keywords = {acclimation, agriculture, cactus, climate change, conservation, ecophysiology, legume, nitrogen, plant diversity, public policy, seed, stable isotopes, tropical forest},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
2004
Nobel, P. S.; de la Barrera, E.
CO2 uptake by the cultivated hemiepiphytic cactus, Hylocereus undatus Journal Article
In: Annals of Applied Biology, vol. 144, pp. 1-8, 2004.
Links | BibTeX | Tags: abscisic acid, agriculture, cactus, CO2, cultivation, Hylocereus, nitrogen, photosynthesis, pitahaya, temperature, tropical forest, water
@article{Nobel2004,
title = {CO2 uptake by the cultivated hemiepiphytic cactus, Hylocereus undatus},
author = {P. S. Nobel and E. de la Barrera},
url = {http://agro.mx/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/010-Nobel-De-la-Barrera-2004-Ann-Appl-Biol.pdf},
year = {2004},
date = {2004-04-04},
journal = {Annals of Applied Biology},
volume = {144},
pages = {1-8},
keywords = {abscisic acid, agriculture, cactus, CO2, cultivation, Hylocereus, nitrogen, photosynthesis, pitahaya, temperature, tropical forest, water},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
2002
Nobel, P. S.; de la Barrera, E.; Beilman, D. W.; Doherty, J. H.; Zutta, B. R.
Temperature limitations for cultivation of edible cacti in California Journal Article
In: Madroño, vol. 49, no. 4, pp. 228-236, 2002.
Links | BibTeX | Tags: agriculture, cactus, CAM, CO2, cultivation, fruit, Hylocereus, opuntia, temperature
@article{Nobel2002b,
title = {Temperature limitations for cultivation of edible cacti in California},
author = {P. S. Nobel and E. de la Barrera and D. W. Beilman and J. H. Doherty and B. R. Zutta},
url = {http://agro.mx/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/005-Nobel-et-al-Madrono-2002.pdf},
year = {2002},
date = {2002-04-04},
journal = {Madroño},
volume = {49},
number = {4},
pages = {228-236},
keywords = {agriculture, cactus, CAM, CO2, cultivation, fruit, Hylocereus, opuntia, temperature},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}