The study was carried out to estimate the temperature, light intensity, salinity, Dissolved O2 (DO), pH values and the biotic parameter chlorophyll- a in the water column related with the depth. Because, the physico-chemical parameters affect greatly both primary and secondary producers in marine life. For this purpose the physico-chemical properties were determined day and night for 40 meter depth during the eight days. The means were compared by using the analysis of variance method and Duncan’s Multiple Comparison Test. Also physico-chemical parameters were estimated by using the analysis of regression and correlation. The effect of temperature and salinity were found significant according to the result of the analysis of variance during the day. Also the similar results were found for the night. While the effect of the depth on the chloropyll-a a was significant in the night, the effect of the depth on the DO was not significant in the day and night. The correlations among the depth and the parameters were defined. It was found the negative correlation between the depth and the temperature and light intensity. Determination coefficient of the model for salinity was also found different for day time. The correlation values among the depth and the temperature, salinity and pH were found different for the night.

En el sector agropecuario de la cuenca media del río Chinchiná, Colombia, en 2012 y 2013 se evaluaron los beneficios socio-ambientales generados por la implementación de estrategias de producción más limpia en el sector agropecuario. La metodología incluyó la recolección de datos de campo desde entrevistas y diálogos semi-estruturados, procesamiento y análisis de datos a partir de la adaptación de matrices y construcción de diagrama de redes, evaluación de los beneficios con determinación de la significancia socio-ambiental a través de la adaptación de la metodología de Leopold con el uso de parámetros de magnitud e importancia. Los resultados mostraron que las estrategias para el estudio de producción más limpia implementadas en las fincas localizadas en la zona permitieron identificar y categorizar estrategias de conservación, reducción o eliminación, siendo posible evaluar los beneficios socio-ambientales correspondientes, a partir de la determinación de los beneficios primarios, secundarios y terciarios relacionados tanto con los beneficios que prestan los ecosistemas como los sociales que se generan. | The purpose of this paper is to assess the socio-environmental benefits generated by the implementation of cleaner production strategies in the agriculture and livestock sectors, in the middle part of the Chinchina river basin, Colombia. The methodology involves recording of field data on the basis of interviews and semi-structured dialogue; processing and analysis of data on the basis of matrix adaptation and network diagramming; and assessment of socio-environmental benefits, with determination of socio-environmental significance, based on adaptation of the Leopold methodology, using the parameters of magnitude and importance. The main results are: i) the cleaner production strategies implemented in the farms located in the study zone were identified and categorized into conservation, reduction or elimination strategies; ii ) the corresponding socio-environmental benefits were evaluated by determining primary, secondary and tertiary benefits related to both the benefits provided by ecosystems and the social benefits generated.

The purpose of this paper is to assess the socio-environmental benefits generated by the implementation of cleaner production strategies in the agriculture and livestock sectors, in the middle part of the Chinchina river basin, Colombia. The methodology involves recording of field data on the basis of interviews and semi-structured dialogue; processing and analysis of data on the basis of matrix adaptation and network diagramming; and assessment of socio-environmental benefits, with determination of socio-environmental significance, based on adaptation of the Leopold methodology, using the parameters of magnitude and importance. The main results are: i) the cleaner production strategies implemented in the farms located in the study zone were identified and categorized into conservation, reduction or elimination strategies; ii ) the corresponding socio- environmental benefits were evaluated by determining primary, secondary and tertiary benefits related to both the benefits provided by ecosystems and the social benefits generated. | En el sector agropecuario de la parte media de la cuenca del río Chinchiná, Colombia, en 2012 y 2013 se evaluaron los beneficios socio-ambientales generados por la implementación de estrategias de producción más limpia en el sector agropecuario. La metodología incluyó la recolección de datos de campo a partir de entrevistas y diálogos semi-estruturados, procesamiento y análisis de datos a partir de la adaptación de matrices y construcción de diagrama de redes, evaluación de los beneficios con determinación de la significancia socio-ambiental a través de la adaptación de la metodología de Leopold con el uso de parámetros de magnitud e importancia. Los resultados mostraron que, las estrategias para el estudio de producción más limpia implementadas en las fincas localizadas en la zona permitieron identificar y categorizar estrategias de conservación, reducción o eliminación, siendo posible evaluar los beneficios socio-ambientales correspondientes a partir de la determinación de los beneficios primarios, secundarios y terciarios relacio-nados tanto con los beneficios que prestan los ecosistemas como los sociales que se generan.

In this study, the effects of some herbal wastes such as daphne (Laurus nobilis), thyme (Origanum onites) and cumin (Cuminum cyminum) on the yield of Pleurotus ostreatus were investigated. While compost formula consisted 43% wheat straw+ 43% poplar dust+ 10% wheat bran+ 4% gyps mixture was used as the control group, 20% to 40% of herbal waste was added to this formula in the experiment groups. Total number of mushroom was counted in both the experiment and the control groups. Then, the harvested mushrooms were weighed and morphological features of caps were measured and recorded. As a result of obtained data, while it was detected that compost contained 20% cumin waste had the highest number of primordium (34), the control group had the lowest number of primordium (21 items). The highest biological yield was detected as 35.8% in the group contained 20% cumin waste. The lowest biological yield was detected in the control group with 24.6%.

Physicochemical, structural and thermal analysis of different starch potato grown in Boyacá, Parda Pastusa (P), Tuquerreña (T), ICA Huila (IH), ICA Puracé (IP), ICA Unica (IU), Criolla Latina (C) and R-12 (R) were evaluated. Protein and ashes content were measured using AOAC methods; moisture was obtained by a moisture analyzer, crystal structure by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermal properties using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). There are significant differences between starches (p <0.05), grouping them into those with high and low moisture content. Starch IU variety had the highest ash content and the variety T, the smallest. For all samples, the diffractograms show patterns of crystallinity type B. However, the IP starch varieties, P, IU, IH and T show a better crystallinity than those standard varieties C and R. For IP varieties, P, IU, T and IH, the first and second, endothermic peak in the thermograms appear between 123-163 J/g, and 141-213.3 J/g, respectively, while for starch varieties R and C is among 68-77 J/g and 334-358 J/g, respectively. | Utilizando análisis fisicoquímico, estructural y térmico, se evaluaron almidones de las variedades de papa Parda Pastusa (P), Tuquerreña (T), ICA Huila (IH), ICA Puracé (IP), ICA Única (IU), Criolla Latina (C) y R-12 (R), cultivadas en el departamento de Boyacá, Colombia. En cada una de ellas se determinaron los contenidos de ceniza y proteína siguiendo métodos de la AOAC, humedad utilizando un analizador, estructura cristalina mediante difracción de rayos-X (DRX) y propiedades térmicas utilizando calorimetría diferencial de barrido (DSC). Se encontraron diferencias significativas (P < 0.05) entre los contenidos de humedad en almidones. El almidón de la variedad IU presentó el mayor contenido de ceniza y el de la variedad T, el menor. Los difractogramas mostraron para todas las variedades patrones de cristalinidad tipo B; no obstante el almidón de las variedades IP, P, IU, T y IH presentó un patrón más cristalino que el de las variedades C y R. Los termogramas de los almidones mostraron el primer y segundo pico endotérmico, entre 123 y 163 J/g y entre 141 y 213.3 J/g, respectivamente, para las variedades IP, P, IU, T y IH; mientras que para los almidones de las variedades C y R estos valores fueron entre 68 y 77 J/g y entre 334 y 358 J/g, respectivamente.

Binary logit regression model of econometrics was used to identify the factors affecting adoption of recommended agricultural technology by the commercial farmers of Nepal. A survey was carried out in 2012 in 120 households from Kavre district, Nepal. The objective was to appraise factors affecting adoption of recommended technology of cauliflower, finding out the level of adoption, identifying the constraints of cauliflower cultivation, assessing the perceived level of satisfaction and studying the relationship of certain selected variables on the adoption. Education, Occupation, contact with Personal Localite sources of information, Group membership and Experience were the most influencing factors for adoption of recommended technology. Though, other factors were not strong enough to contribute significantly but indirectly influence the adoption decision of farmers as combined effects. Occupation was found as negatively associated. Landholding size was strongly and positively influencing among the non significant factors. The level of satisfaction and the constraints of cauliflower production were also identified. Transfer of technology will be effective if and only if the client adopts the technology. For an effective transfer of technology, it is better to go for activities for the welfare of the socioeconomic factors of the farmers.

Abstract An important step towards a restoration of cadmium-contaminated soils (Cd) is the use of phytoextraction, using plants such as blackberry (Solanum nigrum L.), a species reported as hyperaccumulating, capable of tolerating and developing in soils with high concentrations of Cd, which can be considered an alternative of interest for cocoa growers (Theobroma cacao L.). With the purpose of facing the restriction for the commercialization that generates this element, due to the norms of the commerce of grain, with high contents of Cd and the implications that represents in the human health, in addition, of the great number of families whose main sustenance comes from this alternative, the response of S. nigrum to three concentrations of Cd in the soil, T1: 0, T2: 5 , T3: 10 mg/kg was evaluated. It was evidenced as S. nigrum L. may be of interest for phytoextraction processes of this metal, since it is a fast growing plant, with low environmental demands and high acclimatization capacity. In this study a high correlation was found between the cadmium contents in soil and its accumulation in S. nigrum L., it was also found that the increase of cadmium in the edaphic medium favors the growth of this plant, increases the leaf area, enlarges the root biomass (r2 = 0.74 ) as well as stem and leaves in a significant way. | Resumen La fitoextracción con plantas como hierba mora (Solanum nigrum L.) es una alternativa importante para la rehabilitación de suelos contaminados con cadmio (Cd). Esta especie, reconocida como hiperacumuladora, tiene capacidad para tolerar y crecer en suelos con altas concentraciones de este microelemento y constituye una alternativa de interés para los cultivadores de cacao (Theobroma cacao L.). Con el propósito de enfrentar la restricción para la comercialización de productos agrícolas que genera este elemento, se evaluó la respuesta de S. nigrum a las concentraciones de Cd: 0, 5 y 10 mg/kg en el suelo. Se halló una alta correlación entre los contenidos del elemento en el suelo y su acumulación en la planta, incrementando (P < 0.05) el área foliar (r2 = 0.63), la biomasa de la planta (r2 = 0.63) y biomasa tanto en raíz (r2 = 0.74) como en tallo (r2 = 0.47) y hojas (r2 = 0.68). Por tanto, S. nigrum L. constituye una alternativa en procesos de fitoextracción de este metal, ya que es una planta de rápido crecimiento, con bajas exigencias ambientales y alta capacidad de adaptación.