EDITORIAL

Abstract

This special issue of Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems presents a selection of the scientific work conducted in recent years in the state of Veracruz, Mexico, associated with its agroecosystems, considering in a wide sense the term “ager†(field). Reviewing research carried out in a defined territory, such as a state, on its contrasting and sometimes complementary productive systems, allows us to visualize the topics on development by its scientific community frequently associated with the problems of a productive chain, the lack of sustainability, contamination affecting the regions and their living beings, the impacts of socioeconomic problems on food production and productivity.

In this particular case livestock-related topics dealing with the yield of forages used for cattle grazing are revised, as well as epidemiological and animal-health aspects referring to the presence of paratuberculosis in goats and cryptosporidiosis in calves.

As for agricultural aspects, biofertilization with rhizobacteria and mycorrhizal fungi in citrus is presented as an alternative to traditional fertilization; in the case of papaya, the integrated management of its pest mites as well as a participatory methodology to achieve its technological transfer are revised. In addition, the influence that human migration has on the change of land use in a mountain range community is presented, and the eating habits related with the potential practice of horticulture in peri-urban families from the subhumid tropics are revised.

Some aquacultural elements are also included, such as the presence of parasitic microorganisms in the oyster depending on the season of the year, the cultivation of tilapia fry in water recirculation systems, basic studies on the genetic improvement of the crayfish, as well as the establishment of a hydroponic-aquaponic system where cultivation of basil and production of Malaysian prawn are combined.

As for varied topics, the impact of oil contamination on forages and soil is reported, the use of edible insects in coffee agroecosystems is analyzed, and the distribution of Ceratozomia mexicana in preserved and disturbed environments is revised.

This menu of topics represents the richness of our agroecosystems. They are also a chessboard of the variety of researchers from the central area of the Gulf of Mexico. We believe that the will the scientific community from Veracruz has put into the organization of their annual Forest and Agricultural and Livestock Scientific-Technological Meeting for the last 24 years, has allowed the consolidation of the effort, talent and collaboration of the researchers from the region.

“Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems†has hosted the best works presented at the meeting celebrated in 2011, aiming to spread the diversity of topics and interactions that are given in food production and in the rural sphere in the tropics. We are very thankful for the kind sponsorship of this journal, which is a strong compromise we take very seriously in order to preserve the quality standards of this important electronic media for the diffusion of science.



H. Veracruz, Veracruz, Mexico. November 13, 2012
Juan A. Villanueva-Jiménez and Concepción del Carmen Ahuja-Aguirre
Section Editors