Crop and non-crop productivity in a traditional maize agroecosystem of the highland of Mexico
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In Mexico, the traditional maize cultivation system has resisted intensification attempts for many decades in some areas, even in some well-connected regions of the temperate highlands. We suggest that this is due to economics.</p...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2009-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine |
| Online Access: | http://www.ethnobiomed.com/content/5/1/38 |
| _version_ | 1818807740487696384 |
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| author | Martínez-Bernal Angélica Basurto-Peña Francisco González-Amaro Rosa Vibrans Heike |
| author_facet | Martínez-Bernal Angélica Basurto-Peña Francisco González-Amaro Rosa Vibrans Heike |
| author_sort | Martínez-Bernal Angélica |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In Mexico, the traditional maize cultivation system has resisted intensification attempts for many decades in some areas, even in some well-connected regions of the temperate highlands. We suggest that this is due to economics.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The total useful biomass of several fields in Nanacamilpa, Tlaxcala, are evaluated for productivity and costs.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Maize grain production is low (1.5 t ha<sup>-1</sup>) and does not cover costs. However, maize stover demands a relatively high price. If it included, a profit is possible (about 110 US $ ha<sup>-1</sup>). We show that non-crop production (weeds for food and forage) potentially has a higher value than the crop. It is only partially used, as there are constraints on animal husbandry, but it diversifies production and plays a role as a back-up system in case of crop failure.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The diversified system described is economically rational under current conditions and labor costs. It is also stable, low-input and ecologically benign, and should be recognized as an important example of integrated agriculture, though some improvements could be investigated.</p> |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-18T19:30:28Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-caa142b22d2645388ff0df11836f33c3 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1746-4269 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-18T19:30:28Z |
| publishDate | 2009-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine |
| spelling | doaj.art-caa142b22d2645388ff0df11836f33c32022-12-21T20:55:44ZengBMCJournal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine1746-42692009-01-015138Crop and non-crop productivity in a traditional maize agroecosystem of the highland of MexicoMartínez-Bernal AngélicaBasurto-Peña FranciscoGonzález-Amaro RosaVibrans Heike<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In Mexico, the traditional maize cultivation system has resisted intensification attempts for many decades in some areas, even in some well-connected regions of the temperate highlands. We suggest that this is due to economics.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The total useful biomass of several fields in Nanacamilpa, Tlaxcala, are evaluated for productivity and costs.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Maize grain production is low (1.5 t ha<sup>-1</sup>) and does not cover costs. However, maize stover demands a relatively high price. If it included, a profit is possible (about 110 US $ ha<sup>-1</sup>). We show that non-crop production (weeds for food and forage) potentially has a higher value than the crop. It is only partially used, as there are constraints on animal husbandry, but it diversifies production and plays a role as a back-up system in case of crop failure.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The diversified system described is economically rational under current conditions and labor costs. It is also stable, low-input and ecologically benign, and should be recognized as an important example of integrated agriculture, though some improvements could be investigated.</p>http://www.ethnobiomed.com/content/5/1/38 |
| spellingShingle | Martínez-Bernal Angélica Basurto-Peña Francisco González-Amaro Rosa Vibrans Heike Crop and non-crop productivity in a traditional maize agroecosystem of the highland of Mexico Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine |
| title | Crop and non-crop productivity in a traditional maize agroecosystem of the highland of Mexico |
| title_full | Crop and non-crop productivity in a traditional maize agroecosystem of the highland of Mexico |
| title_fullStr | Crop and non-crop productivity in a traditional maize agroecosystem of the highland of Mexico |
| title_full_unstemmed | Crop and non-crop productivity in a traditional maize agroecosystem of the highland of Mexico |
| title_short | Crop and non-crop productivity in a traditional maize agroecosystem of the highland of Mexico |
| title_sort | crop and non crop productivity in a traditional maize agroecosystem of the highland of mexico |
| url | http://www.ethnobiomed.com/content/5/1/38 |
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