Based on the theory that a positive environment meets human needs whilst at the same time it stimulates engagement in environmentally protective behaviours, this study empirically tested a model of family positivity, considering the responses given by 200 Mexican interviewees in a research survey. In the model, a series of positive characteristics pertaining to the home (privacy, pleasant temperature, lack of noise, cleanliness) constituted a positive physical environmental factor for the family, whereas positive social family atmosphere comprised indicators of affection and intimacy and a democratic style of relations between the members. The model also included a factor pertaining to sustainable behaviours, created through the reporting of pro-environmental, frugal, altruistic and equitable behaviours. The positive physical and social factors of the family environment produced a second-order factor, identified as 'Positive family environment'. This secondorder construct was saliently and significantly associated with the sustainable behaviour factor, providing empirical support to the theoretical model of environmental positivity in the family.

Drylands are of high ecological vulnerability due to low vegetative cover and erratic and torrential rainfalls. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of different sources and rates of soil moisture retainers in the establishment of buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris L) in a micro watershade system of rainwater. A randomized block design with three replications was used. Four hydrogel doses: 0, 5, 10 and 15 kg ha -1 and two vermicompost doses: 0 and 40 t ha -1 , were tested. The dose effect of the hydrogel was independent of vermicompost dose effect, on soil moisture retention and the growth and development of the plant. The soil moisture values when 5, 10 and 15 kg hydrogel ha -1 were applied (25, 23.2 and 23.4 %, respectively) were higher (P0.05), than the control (17.5 %) 241 d after sowing (das). However, there were not statistical differences among doses of hydrogel other than the control. A similar effect was found at 346 das; but not to 372 das, where the effect was lost. Plant emergency was significantly higher (47.7 %) when 15 kg ha -1 of hydrogel were applied, compared to the control (29 %) (P0.05). Plant height and weight of dry matter and a higher photosynthetic activity were significantly greater in treatments with hydrogel than in the control; there were not statistical differences among doses. Finally, the application of 40 t ha -1 vermicompost significantly increased the moisture content in the soil and a higher amount of buffel grass dry matter.

Programación del riego en nogal pecanero (Carya illinoinensis), mediante un modelo integral basado en tiempo térmico* Irrigation scheduling in pecan (Carya illinoinensis), through an integrated model based on thermal time

Bacterial rhizospheric microbiomes of Musa acuminata cultivated in farms close to the west and east Mexican coasts and with different climate, soils, and crop management practices were characterized by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Results showed that rhizospheric microbiome composition changed along with seasonal weather but were mostly indifferent to soil type.

El maíz es uno de los principales cultivos sembrados en el estado de Sinaloa; sin embargo, en esta región la aplicación de riegos se realiza sin considerar las características físicas del suelo incrementando las pérdidas de agua y fertilizantes. Es importante desarrollar tecnologías que permitan optimizar el uso de insumos (agua, fertilizantes, pesticidas) incrementando el potencial productivo de los cultivos y reduciendo los costos de producción, por tal motivo una serie de experimentos se condujeron durante los ciclos otoño-invierno 2006-2007 y 2011-2012 en el INIFAP-CEVAF ubicado en el norte de Sinaloa, México, con el propósito de conocer el efecto del riego por gravedad por diferentes técnicas en la eficiencia de uso del nitrógeno (N) en el cultivo de maíz. Dichos experimentos consistieron en bloques completos al azar con la aplicación de dos sistemas de riego de baja presión (multicompuertas), uno de tubería PVC y el otro de manguera Lay f lat en el primer ciclo y tres técnicas de riego por superficie (surcos alternos, camas y reducción de gasto) en el segundo ciclo. Se comprobó que usando el sistema de riego de tuberías multicompuertas y las técnicas de riego implementadas en este estudio fue posible incrementar la eficiencia del riego en promedio 80% con un incremento gradual en la eficiencia del nitrógeno reduciendo las pérdidas de fertilizante y ahorrando volúmenes de agua que puedan utilizarse en escenarios de baja disponibilidad de agua y/o establecimiento de segundos cultivos.