Analysis of energy flows and economic dynamics allows the diversity of variables involved in the agroecosystem production to be observed in the same dimension. In this way, efficiency and performance can be analysed integrally to identify critical points to be improved. The objective of this study was to analyse the energy-economic efficiency within three management strategies (Management I, Management II and Management III) of the maize agroecosystem in the Frailesca region of Chiapas (Mexico). The hypothesis was that systemic typologies, defined by modes of production, can lead to different efficiencies for the system performance. The study was descriptive; case studies were selected as representative based on their technological variants. The efficiency analysis was conducted using a balance of inputs and outputs expressed in energy and economic terms. Management III resulted in better energy use efficiency, with 6.47, while Management I and Management II were more economically feasible, with a benefit/cost ratio of 1.56 pesos.

<p><strong>Background: </strong>In recent decades, many peasant regions of southeastern Mexico, have undergone an expansion of cattle raising. This has led to farmers transitioning from crop agriculture toward mixed production or specializing in cattle raising. Characterizing livestock systems using a multidimensional perspective allows for identifying strategies for increasing their sustainability. <strong>Objective:</strong> To classify and characterize family cattle farming systems (FCFS) of the Frailesca region of Chiapas, Mexico taking into account the contribution of cattle raising to family income, and using a multidimensional perspective. <strong>Methodology:</strong> Eighty family units in two areas of the Frailesca region - valley (40) and highlands (40) - were evaluated. Information was obtained through application of questionnaires to farmers. According to the percentage of contribution of cattle raising to family income, a K-means clustering analysis was carried out in each area to differentiate FCFS. Average values of technical, economic, environmental, and social indicators were compared among systems using ANOVA or Kruskall Wallis tests. <strong>Results:</strong> Two FCFS were identified in each of two areas of the Frailesca region: (I) mixed family systems (MFS) and (II) family systems specialized in cattle raising (FSSC). Average percentages of contribution of cattle raising to family income were: (1) valley MFS = 32.5%; (2) valley FSSC = 80.5%; (3) highland MFS = 38.5%; and (4) highland FSSC = 71.7%.  The valley FSSC followed an intensive-technified cattle raising with high use of external inputs and had the highest values of the economic indicators: calves produced per ha, milk production per cow, and net margin per hectare. The valley MFS practiced semi-intensive-technified cattle raising with low use of external inputs which led it had lower economic profitability than that of the valley FSCC. In both highland systems, farmers followed extensive cattle raising with low use of external inputs. For the economic dimension, these were similar to that of the valley MFS. Nevertheless, for the environmental dimension both highland systems were better (diversity of grasses, backyard animals, cattle breeds, and woody fodder crops) than the valley systems. Particularly, the highlands MFS had the greatest proportion of forested land and grasslands with scattered trees, as well as the abundance of wild fauna. For the social dimension, both the FSSC had a higher level of technical assistance and training, less dependence on subsidies, and a greater capacity to cover their basic purchased-food costs than the two MFS. The highlands MFS had the highest number of family beneficiaries, while the highlands FSSC had a higher level of membership in farmers´ organizations than did both types of valley systems. <strong>Implications: </strong>The valley farmers should reduce their environmental impacts and maintain and even increase productivity, in the case of the mixed family system. The highlands farmers should increase productivity, and reduce their dependence on subsidies. <strong>Conclusions:</strong> In order to overcome the multidimensional limitations and increase the sustainability of family cattle raising systems, it is necessary that external social actors promote agroecology and silvopastoral systems, as well as the famers´ co-responsibility and active participation along the process. </p>

The use of organic fertilizers contributes to the improvement of the fertility of agricultural soils. The objective was to evaluate three doses of organic fertilizer incorporated into the soil (10, 20 and 30 t.ha-1) and a control, in corn production. The management of the crop was conventional, after the preparation of the soil with agricultural machinery, the doses of compost were incorporated. Planting was manual with a density of 66,500 plants.ha-1. A completely randomized design and three replicates per treatment were used. Data were analyzed with analysis of variance, tests of means, correlation analysis, and economic evaluation. The results indicated that the incorporation of organic fertilizer to the soil benefited the height of the plant and ear, leaf area, stem diameter, number and yield of ears.ha-1. A direct and positive relationship was found between the dose of amendment incorporated into the soil and the production of ears in the milky-dough state. The application of 30 t.ha-1 of organic fertilizer showed the best results for the indicated agronomic variables and presented the best economic benefits.

The identification and characterization of farmers types in the maize agroecosystem is an essential element for the development of effective and sustainable socio-productive strategies. In four municipalities of the Frailesca region in Chiapas, Mexico; maize farmers were typified and their agroecosystem was characterized regarding the criteria: socioeconomic, productive and energy efficiency. Besides, farmers relation to conventional, agro-ecological and mixed production strategies was determined. It was an exploratory socio-agronomic and descriptive research focused on a system approach and energy flows. The sample used was 300 farmers. For data management, descriptive statistics and exploratory multivariate analysis of principal components and clusters were used to construct the typologies. Five types of farmers-groups were identified based on six components that explained 83 % of the total variance. Among these components, the following stood out: "Yield and Efficiency", "Maize profile" (refers to the type of maize and its importance within the system) and "Energy Consumption". The typified groups of farmers were labeled as: "Small farmers", "Major farmers", "Mixed livestock-maize farmers", "Subsistence farmers" and "Maize-stubble producers". All groups are characterized by having small maize areas, but they are considered to have an acceptable energy efficiency, greater than 10 MJ and yields between 2.8 and 4.0 t.ha-1, higher than the average for the state of Chiapas. All groups were efficient in the use of energy, as result of the high productive and economic capacity of the agroecosystem. The maize yield is between 2.8 and 4.0 t.ha-1 and the energy efficiency is higher than 10 MJ. Conventional agriculture management predominates in the region in 86 % of the studied systems.

The aim of the current study was to assess the performance of Canavalia ensiformis and Mucuna deeringiana (Leguminosae) as a green manure in the agricultural soil of the Frailesca region of Chiapas, México, in terms of aboveground biomass accumulation, plant height, number of leaves, canopy coverage, and the accumulation of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Each species was sowed at two population densities under a randomized complete block design with three replications. Every 30 days after sowing (DAS), the following variables were quantified: plant length, number of leaves, canopy coverage, biomass yield, and N, P, and K content. A variance analysis and mean comparison test (Tukey 0.05) were performed for each variable. The biomass yield in M. deeringiana fluctuated from 9150 to 33,160 kg ha-1 on a fresh basis and from 4490 to 15,890 kg ha-1 on a dry basis, whereas the yield in C. ensiformis varied from 9343 to 26,390 kg ha-1 and from 4513 to 13,150 kg ha-1, respectively. The longest recorded plant length was 513.00 cm in M. deeringiana and 155 cm in C. ensiformis, with a total of 353 and 322 leaves, respectively. The accumulation of N, P, and K was 463.99 kg ha-1, 84.22 kg ha-1, and 49.26 kg ha-1 in M. deeringiana and 341.90 kg ha-1, 43.40 kg ha-1, and 36.82 kg ha-1 in C. ensiformis, respectively. Both C. ensiformis and M. deeringiana have potential as green manure for the Frailesca region of Chiapas in terms of biomass production and N accumulation.