Southern Sonora Research Articles

Genetic Diversity of the Lilac-Crowned Parrot (Amazona finschi), a Species Endemic to Mexico

The Lilac-crowned Amazon (Amazona finschi) is an endemic parrot from western Mexico with a historical distribution in the Pacific Slope from southern Sonora and southwestern Chihuahua to Oaxaca. However, a particularly worrying decline in the extension of its distribution range has been reported in the central and southern regions. Overall, the species is listed in CITES the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, and the official Mexican standard NOM-059 as endangered. In this study, we aimed to obtain molecular information to support the planning of conservation strategies for A. finschi. For this purpose, we analyzed the genetic diversity and genealogical relationships between two groups of individuals from northern (Sinaloa) and central (Michoacan) portions of the species’ range based on mitochondrial DNA markers. In general agreement with the endangered status of the species, we found low genetic diversity values. However, at the regional level, the northern group showed high genetic diversity and the central group showed a lack of genetic diversity. Furthermore, in agreement with the proposal that A. finschi is monotypic, genealogical relationships revealed a haplotype distributed in the center and the north, although haplotypes exclusive to the north were also found. We suggest a differentiated management of northern and central populations to preserve evolutionary potential.

Attitude, Behavior, Subjective Norms, Education, Entrepreneurship Intention in University Students from Southern Sonora

Attitude, Behavior, Subjective Norms, Education, Entrepreneurship Intention in University Students from Southern Sonora

YIELD STABILITY OF PURPLE CORN HYBRIDS (Zea mays L.) IN SOUTHERN SONORA, MEXICO

Corn (Zea mays L.) production in Mexico is in deficit despite generating 27 million Mg. In southern Sonora, the planted area has grown significantly over the last four years, from 544 to 680 thousand Mg produced in 2018 and 2021, respectively. Ninety-seven percent of the production corresponds to improved white-colored maize from transnational companies; however, there are no commercial plantings of colored maize. The objective of this research was to estimate grain yield and its agronomic components in improved purple corn hybrids in southern Sonora, Mexico, over three years using the additive main effects and multiplicative interaction method (AMMI). A randomized, complete-block experimental design with three replications was used. The plots were two 4 m long furrows with a stocking density of 100 000 plants ha-1. The variables recorded were: grain yield (RG), thousand-kernel weight (PMG), ear length (LM), grains per row (GH), rows per ear (HM), and hectoliter weight (PH). The results showed statistical differences among years, hybrids, and their interaction (AxH) in all variables. The AMMI model was highly effective, allowing the identification of hybrids 1, 2, 7, and 10 with greater stability in the year 2021 associated with RG, PH, and LM, obtaining outstanding averages in all variables and being more appropriate for the climatic conditions of southern Sonora. On the contrary, the most sensitive hybrid with the highest interaction was 4, associated with GH and HM; hybrids 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, and 12 were stable with negative values in 2019 and 2020.

Preliminary Insights from Las Chachalacas (SON S:8:004): A Pleistocene-Holocene Occupation Record from Quiriego, Sonora, Mexico

This article summarizes recent work at the site of Las Chachalacas, located in the Municipio of Quiriego, southern Sonora. Set within the western foothills of the Sierra Madre Occidental, Las Chachalacas was adjacent to an arroyo that periodically became impounded, producing a marsh like environment. Stratigraphic associations and a minimal number of 14C dates suggest the site was regularly utilized from the terminal Pleistocene through the Early Agricultural period. Results contribute to several enduring debates in the North American Southwest regarding Pleistocene landscape use, demographic continuity through the Holocene Climatic Optimum (7500–5000 cal BP), the sequence of mobility and subsistence changes in the Archaic/Early Agricultural periods, and the identities of the earliest farmers indexed by material culture such as projectile points.

Water productivity at two sowing dates of simple white grain maize hybrids

In Mexico, maize stands out for its economic, food and cultural importance. Since ancient times, attempts have been made to increase maize grain yields with different alternatives, including hybridization. Currently, maize hybridization offers great advantages since from the first simple hybrids it is possible to evaluate important variables such as water productivity. The present work was carried out under field conditions in southern Sonora, in two sowing seasons: December 2022- May 2023 (SD 1) and April-August 2023 (SD 2). The research aimed to evaluate the effect of two sowing dates (SD) on phenology, water requirements, water productivity and grain yield. Three single white grain hybrids (L5 X L7; L1 X L2; L2 X L7) obtained from a dialelic design were evaluated. Phenophase occurrence time, irrigation time and interval, total water volume, evapotranspiration, grain yield and water productivity were the evaluated variables. The results showed that in SD 2 significantly reduced the time of occurrence of phenophases in all hybrids due to the effect of temperature. Irrigation time was significantly shorter in SD 2 compared to SD 1. Similarly, the irrigation interval decreased in SD 2 compared to SD 1 with a significant increase in the irrigation lamina. It was necessary to apply two more irrigations to achieve grain filling. Water productivity showed highly significant differences between hybrids and between sowing dates. The simple hybrid L5 X L7 showed better agronomic performance on both sowing dates, demonstrating tolerance to the increase in temperature on SD 2.

Phylogeography, systematics, and conservation status of pocket mice (Chaetodipus) of the Sonoran–Sinaloan thorn forest

Abstract Three species of pocket mice (Chaetodipus artus, C. goldmani, and C. pernix) characterize the Sinaloan subregion of the Sonoran regional desert. They occur primarily in Sinaloan thornscrub and monsoon (dry deciduous) forest biotic communities, both of which have suffered from agricultural conversion. Sinaloan thornscrub occurs along the coastal plains of southern Sonora and Sinaloa, México, and grades into monsoon forest in the foothills of the Sierra Madre Occidental. We describe the geographical and ecological distributions of the 3 species of Chaetodipus, evaluate evolutionary relationships within each species based on mitochondrial DNA sequence data, and compare these to previously described phenetic, allozymic, and chromosomal variation. We elevate the subspecies of C. pernix to full species, delineate evolutionary units within C. goldmani and C. artus that we formally recognize as subspecies, and evaluate the conservation status of all 3 species of Chaetodipus.

Educational evaluation practices in teacher training schools in mexico

The Normal Schools, teachers' trainers par excellence and tradition in Mexico, over the years, have been transforming not only their physical structure, but also the ways in which they develop learning, through curricula more adapted to the social, academic and cultural reality of our country. From the founding of the first school for teachers at the beginning of the last century, to the teacher training institutions that we have today, the changes have been numerous with regard to the paradigms and educational theories that have been driven for the development of content. However, despite these changes, many teachers teaching in the Teaching Schools continue to use conceptualizations, forms of work and evaluation more oriented to traditional teaching approaches. In 10 years the educational programs of the Normals have been developed and updated, more than in the last 30 years. The results presented in this article are product of quantitative research with descriptive scope. With a population sample of 35 teachers from the Normal Schools of southern Sonora.

Methodological proposal for a feasibility study for the implementation of a vertical warehouse for a Manufacturing Company in Southern Sonora

Inventory management has become a critical element in modern supply chains. Globalization has led products and services to travel longer distances at faster speeds, resulting in extreme variations in demand and putting pressure on production organizations to produce more and faster. This research proposes a methodology to guide the implementation of a vertical warehouse for a manufacturing company in southern Sonora. The organization aims to reduce material handling travel times, have materials closer to the point of use, and improve production efficiency. The methodology involves the combination of methods and tools such as ABC inventory classification, the use of the PUGH matrix, and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to select the option that is technically, economically, and environmentally feasible for the project. The study also includes a review of the literature on vertical warehouses and their benefits. The practical implications of this work are that it provides a methodology for selecting a vertical warehouse that meets the needs of an aerospace manufacturing company. The proposed methodology can be used by other manufacturing companies to determine the feasibility of implementing a vertical warehouse and selecting the most suitable option based on their specific needs and requirements.

Thermal risk analysis for winter-spring maize (Zea mays L.) in the Yaqui Valley Sonora, Mexico

The state of Sonora in Mexico contributed with 2.8 % of the maize national production (788,885.77 t) in 2021; however, its production has been affected by low temperatures. The objective was to analyze the effect of minimum (MINTT < 3 °C) and maximum temperature threshold levels (MAXTT > 33 °C) on maize production. Five commercial fields sown with hybrid Hipotótamo and five with DK-4050 were selected in the Yaqui Valley. Temperature data were obtained from the automated weather station network in the state from December 2021 to June 2022. The minimum temperatures recorded between March 8 and 10, 2022, covered about 35 % of the total area sown with maize in southern Sonora. Foliar damage as shown by necrosis between the 5th and 10th leaf oscillated from 3 to 12 %, and it was associated with a temperature range of 1.05 and 4.30 ºC. Frost severity was not significant, so the crop recovered by the production of new leaves. From April, different periods of days with different continuous hours with MAXTT were recorded by weather stations; the highest number of periods occurred in fields B-419 and B-1101 with six. The highest number of hours with MAXTT was recorded in B-1922 with 374, followed by B-419 with 288. Hipopótamo showed the highest grain yield in field B-1101 (16.62 t ha-1). Damage by MAXTT to maize production during 2021-2022 winter-spring season, caused a reduction of 1.53 t ha-1 in relation to the regional average in the previous season.

Effect of temperature, relative humidity and drip irrigation on productivity of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in the Yaqui Valley, Sonora, Mexico

In southern Sonora, Mexico, the temperature has maintained a tendency to increase 0.2°C every spring season, which poses a risk for bean production, since high temperatures might occur during the critical periods of flowering and grain-filling that define the final grain yield. The objective was to determine the impact of temperature and relative humidity on bean grain yield and quality in two commercial fields (B-2110 and B-2228) sown in two dates (March 9 and 25, and 3 and 27, respectively) with cultivar Pinto Saltillo, in the Yaqui Valley, Sonora under drip irrigation. The fruiting period was evaluated in relation to temperature, relative humidity and drip irrigation sheets. Meteorological data were obtained from digital sensors installed within the crop, in addition to the meteorological stations closest to each field. The analysis of variance was highly significant for number of pods with grain, number of grains per pod, specific grain weight, and grain yield ha-1. Bean grain yield varied from 1,204 to 3,271 kg ha-1; the highest yield was obtained in field B-2110 on the first date, where a total water sheet of 50.4 cm was applied with a 12.1 day interval between 8 irrigations; while the lowest yield was obtained in B-2228 on the second date where a total water sheet of 59.60 cm was applied with a 5.6 day interval between 14 irrigations. The number of continuous hours and days with temperature greater than 33°C and relative humidity greater than 90% during the fruitful stage of the crop, were related to the greatest number of pods without grain and the lowest grain weight, with a significant reduction in the quality for consumption. The consumption quality of the grain was mainly affected in the late sowing dates, where losses of 32.6 to 48.7% were obtained in fields B-2110 and B-2228, respectively.

In Search of a Borderland: Material Culture Patterns on the Southern Limits of the North American Southwest

ABSTRACT Recent research conducted in southern Sonora, Mexico provides an opportunity to revisit debates about interaction between Mesoamerica and the North American Southwest (NAS). In the borderland between these traditions, communities show few signs of cultural amalgamation, instead exhibiting either an avoidance of overt identity markers or an emphasis on more local connections. This pattern contrasts with most discussions of Mesoamerican influence on the NAS that focus on regionally atypical centers of foreign goods consumption or evidence of foreign religious traditions in distant localities. By recentering on local contexts where cultural amalgamation is expected but minimal, we raise important questions about why more distant groups found Mesoamerican societies to be worthy of emulation. The results suggest researchers should devote equal attention to cases in which distinct identities are erased or suppressed as they do to cases in which social boundaries are maintained or created anew.

System Dynamics and Sustainable Solution: The Case in a Large-Scale Pallet Manufacturing Company

The proposal in the present research study is the result of a more than two-year process developed in a pallet manufacturing company for anchor enterprises in Southern Sonora, Mexico dedicated to beer production and export to the United States of America. Considering the high pallet demand for this supplier, a strategic plan was created in 2021, establishing an important project for developing technological solutions to improve decision making supported by graphical user interface and focused on sustainability. This study shows the application of system dynamics in all the wood and pallet manufacturing processes with a strategic sourcing supply chain. The method used for its development had the following stages: (1) developing the mapping process; (2) creating the causal loop diagram; (3) developing a flow and stock model with the representing mathematical equations; (4) simulating and validating current scenarios; (5) evaluating normal, optimistic, and pessimistic scenarios with multicriteria decision making using Technique to Order Preferences by Similarity and the Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) and Faire Un Choix Adéquat (FUCA); (6) building the graphical interface. The most relevant results for the company were having quantitative information regarding the pallet demand required by the main client for wood availability, which was the main restriction in the supply chain. The solution was based on four validation tests that allowed decision makers to support the production proposals considering the assistance of the dynamic models. The main conclusion demonstrated that using well-defined operation rules and policies—considering the installed capacity and pallet demand through the model solution—allows anticipating decisions on pallet quantity and reducing the risk of out-of-time deliveries.

Rethinking the Huatabampo Archaeological Tradition of Northwest Mexico

The Huatabampo tradition was first defined by Gordon Ekholm, in 1938, and refers to those sites in the coastal plain in northern Sinaloa and southern Sonora lacking architecture but containing well-manufactured plain ceramics with complex shapes. Recent investigations in the region are helping to refine the chronology, geographical extension, cultural attributes, and ethnicity. With 20 radiocarbon dates, we can place this tradition as spanning from 200 BC to AD 1450. The maximum geographical extension ranges from the Middle Rio Yaqui in the north to the Rio San Lorenzo in Sinaloa. The associated sites of this complex are represented by dispersed houses, indicative of ranchería-type settlements, funerary mounds, shell middens, and petroglyph sites. At about AD 1150, Aztatlán pottery and other commodities from southern Sinaloa were incorporated mostly as mortuary offerings. We also provide evidence that the Huatabampo archaeological tradition is a local culture representing the occupation of the Cahitan-speaking groups, Yoremem/Mayos and Yoemem/Yaquis, of the coastal plain.

Risk factors associated with arterial hypertension in university students in southern Sonora

The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors associated with hypertension (HT) using a logistic regression model in university students from southern Sonora. A total of 296 students took part (60.1 % female sex, 18.7 ± 0.8 years, 69.5 ± 12.5 kg) who had their blood pressure evaluated for preclinical (≥120-140/<90) and clinical (≥140/≥90) range classification and were administered the risk factor questionnaire participated. The association between explanatory factors and HT was performed by stepwise binary logistic regression. The model developed indicated that the probability of preclinical and clinical HT was 4.65 times in overweight and obese students, 7.94 times those who reported one to two histories of chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCD), 8.29 times those who indicated three to four family histories of NCD, 2.66 times those who indicated intermittent sleep, and as a protective factor a lower probability of 2.89 times those who drink coffee regularly at breakfast. It is concluded that overweight and obesity in combination with family history, poor sleep quality, and non-consumption of coffee are risk factors for HT in university students.

Quality of university life in southern Sonora

The objective of the study was to determine the quality of university life in southern Sonora through the application of a measurement instrument. The method used in the present investigation is mixed, non-experimental, transversal, for this work a sample of 372 students was selected, the confidence level was 1.96 (95%), the data collected through the questionnaire is made up of 32 questions in a Likert scale and 9 general multiple-choice questions on sociodemographic data. As a general result, an 83.76% quality of university life was obtained in students from the South of Sonora. In the general data obtained, 57.8% belong to the female sex and 41.7% to the male sex, with 0.5% identifying as non-binary, 60.5% corresponding to the age range between 18-20 years, 34.7% corresponds to the age range of 21-23 years, 2.2% is 27 years old, 1.6% corresponds to the age range of 24- 26 years, 1.1% is less than 17 years old, 91.1% of the participants are single, 6.5% have a different marital status, while 2.4% are married.

Molecular markers associated with response to vaccination against Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome virus in a commercial swine farm from southern Sonora

Molecular markers associated with response to vaccination against Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome virus in a commercial swine farm from southern Sonora

Ecological-niche modeling reveals current opportunities for Agave dryland farming in Sonora, Mexico and Arizona, USA.

For centuries, humans occupying arid regions of North America have maintained an intricate relationship with Agave (Agavoideae, Asparagaceae). Today Agave cultivation, primarily for beverage production, provides an economic engine for rural communities throughout Mexico. Among known dryland-farming methods, the use of rock piles and cattle-grazed areas stand out as promising approaches for Agave cultivation. Identifying new cultivation areas to apply these approaches in Arizona, USA and Sonora, Mexico warrants a geographic assessment of areas outside the known ranges of rock piles and grasslands. The objective of this study was to predict areas for dryland-farming of Agave and develop models to identify potential areas for Agave cultivation. We used maximum entropy (MaxEnt) ecological-niche-modeling algorithms to predict suitable areas for Agave dryland farming. The model was parameterized using occurrence records of Hohokam rock piles in Arizona and grassland fields cultivated with Agave in Sonora. Ten environmental-predictor variables were used in the model, downloaded from the WorldClim 2 climate database. The model identified potential locations for using rock piles as dryland-farming methods from south-central Arizona to northwestern Sonora. The Agave-grassland model indicated that regions from central to southern Sonora have the highest potential for cultivation of Agave, particularly for the species Agave angustifolia. Results suggest that there are many suitable areas where rock piles can be used to cultivate Agave in the Sonoran Desert, particularly in the border of southeastern Arizona and northwest Sonora. Likewise, cattle-grazing grasslands provide a viable environment for cultivating Agave in southern Sonora, where the expanding bacanora-beverage industry continues to grow and where different Agave products (e.g., syrups, fructans, saponins, and medicinal compounds) can potentially strengthen local economies.

EVALUATION OF WHEAT GENOTYPES WITH DIFFERENT SEEDING DENSITIES IN SOUTHERN SONORA, MEXICO

An evaluation of seeding density (60, 120, and 180 kg ha-1) with six durum wheat and two bread wheat genotypes, was carried out at the Norman E. Borlaug Experimental Station during the fallwinter 2021-2022 crop season. An experimental alpha lattice design was used with three replications; the plot size consisted of two beds five meters long, separated by 80 cm and with three rows. Highly significant statistical differences were found between seed densities and between the genotypes evaluated; the best seed densities (p ≤ 0.05) were 120 and 180 kg ha-1, with grain yields of 7,319 and 7,425 kg ha-1, respectively. Genotypes with the highest grain yield were: STOT (STOT//ALTAR 84/ALD/3/PATKA_7/YAZI_1/4/SOMAT_3/PHAX_1// TILO_1/LOTUS_4/5/SOOTY_9/RASCON_37//WODUCK/CHAM_3/6/BAROYECAORO C2013/7/WID22202/4/SORA/2*PLATA_12//SOMAT_3/3/AJAIA_12/F3LOCAL(SEL.ETHIO. 135.85)//PLATA_13/5/CF4-JS 21//TECA96/TILO_1, CDSS13B00720T-099Y-099M-1Y-4M0Y) with 7,669 kg ha-1, followed by Noroeste C2021 (7,561), Don Lupe C2020 (7,463), Borlaug 100 (7,392), CIANO M2018 (7,296), TARRO (TARRO_1/2*YUAN_1//AJAIA_13/ YAZI/3/SOMAT_3/PHAX_1//TILO_1/LOTUS_4/4/CANELO_8//SORA/2*PLATA_12/5/CBC 501CHILE/GUANAY/4/CNDO/PRIMADUR//HAI-OU_17/3/SNITAN/7/ALTAR84/ BINTEPE85/3/STOT//ALTAR 84/ALD/4/POD_11/YAZI_1/5/VANRRIKSE_12/SNITAN/6/ SOOTY_9/RASCON_, CDSS14B00835T-099Y-099M-5Y-1M-0Y) (7,282), CENEB Oro C2017 (7,271), while CIRNO C2008 the regional check, showed the lowest grain yield (6,019 kg ha-1).

Analysis of the effect of temperature and relative humidity on spring wheat as recorded by dataloggers installed within the crop in southern Sonora, Mexico

Analysis of the effect of temperature and relative humidity on spring wheat as recorded by dataloggers installed within the crop in southern Sonora, Mexico

Analysis of the effect of temperature and relative humidity on spring wheat as recorded by dataloggers installed within the crop in southern Sonora, Mexico

The objective of this work was to analyze the effect of temperature and relative humidity on spring durum wheat cultivar CIRNO C2008 as recorded by dataloggers (DL) installed within the crop in five commercial fields in southern, Sonora, Mexico, during the crop season fall-winter 2021-2022. The minimum (MINTT) (≤ 4 °C) and maximum thermal threshold (MAXTT) levels (≥ 33 °C), relative humidity (RH) (≥ 90%), and cold units (CU) (≤ 10 °C), were compared between DL and weather stations (WS) closest to the sensors. DL recorded greater number of MINTT periods from February 03 and MAXTT from March 14, and the MINTT periods were longer than those recorded by WS. With regard to the MAXTT, DL recorded 5 periods in fields located in block (B) 703 and Mocorua, two in B-2036, and one in B-2324. The main period of MINTT detected by WS was March 09 to 10. These WS did not record any continuous periods of MAXTT. The total accumulation of CU quantified in the fields with DL and with WS were: B-2036/B-1936 = 846 and 566, B-2324/B-2328 = 851 and 718, B-2814/B-2918 = 870 and 773, Mocorua/Sahuaral = 885 and 696, and B-703/B-609 = 955 and 743, respectively. DL recorded an average of 182 (21.6%) more CU than WS. DL began the recording of cold units from December 7 while WS from December 18. The daily accumulation of continuous hours with > 90% RH, had a significant difference between WS and DL. The WS in B-2918 recorded 277 more hours than the DL in B-2814, and the WS located in Sahuaral recorded 138 more hours than the DL in Morocua. However, DL in B-2036, B-703, and B-2324, recorded 539, 375, and 73 more hours with > 90% than their respective WS.