https://produccioncientificaluz.org/index.php/agronomia <p>The Journal of the Faculty of Agronomy, Universidad del Zulia is a publication of the Agronomic Research Institute of the Faculty of Agronomy, Universidad del Zulia, published since 1968 and is supported by the Universidad del Zulia, in order to disseminate the results of researchers Venezuelans and other parts of the world, related to the agricultural field. The Rev. Fac. Agron. (LUZ) publishes four issues per year, i. e., every three months, under continuous publication format (rolling pass). , with original and unpublished scientific articles, technical notes, review articles, quick communications, extensive summaries of congresses and scientific meetings related to the agricultural area for the consideration of the Editorial Committee. The journal publishes research products of high scientific quality and promotes the exchange of publications and scientific activity at the agricultural level, in the areas of Plant Production, Animal Production, Food Technology and Socioeconomics. The topics included in these areas are: agrosystem management, environment, agricultural biotechnology, meat science, milk science, rural development, agricultural economics, agricultural entomology, fertilizers, post-harvest physiology, plant physiology, physiology and animal reproduction, pastures and forages, animal and plant genetics and improvement, weeds, animal nutrition, plant pathology, agri-food safety, agri-food systems and soils.</p> Universidad del Zulia en-US Revista de la Facultad de Agronomía de la Universidad del Zulia 0378-7818 https://produccioncientificaluz.org/index.php/agronomia/article/view/43141 <p>It is a high priority to account for methane emissions from cattle grazing grasslands in order to evaluate the strategies for mitigating GHG emissions in livestock. The aim of this study was to evaluate <em>in vitro</em> ruminal methane production and nutritional content of the consumed diet by bovines grazing an open medium grassland in atypical dry and rainy periods in the semi-arid region of the state of Durango, Mexico. Four rumen fistulated bovines were subjected of an <em>ad libitum</em> graze under a repeated measure design. Chemical analysis showed that DM, OM, NDF and ADF increased in rainy period (p&lt;0.05). Otherwise, CP, EE, phosphorus contains and IVDMD increased in dry period (p&lt;0.05). Ruminal fermentation parameters as pH and volatile fatty acids as acetic, propionic and butyric, showed no changes among periods (p&gt;0.05). However, ammonia increased in rainy period (p&lt;0.05). Moreover, gas production kinetics only showed differences in lag phase (p&lt;0.05); whereas, maximum gas production and production constant rate showed no changes among periods (p&gt;0.05). Likewise, methane production showed no changes among both periods (p&lt;0.05). As conclusion, it is observed that nutritional quality of the consumed diet by bovines grazing and open medium grasslands in dry and rainy periods presents acceptable protein values (8-10 %). In addition, phosphorus contents are higher than the minimum requirements for growing bovines. Furthermore, methane production was not affected by dry and rainy periods.</p> Elizabeth García Esperanza Herrera Manuel Murillo Rafael Jiménez Daniel Sierra Gerardo Pámanes Copyright (c) 2024 Elizabeth Yazmin García Piña, Esperanza Herrera Torres, Manuel Murillo Ortíz, Rafael Jiménez Ocampo, Daniel Sierra Franco, Gerardo Antonio Pámanes Carrasco https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0 42 1 e254203 e254203 https://produccioncientificaluz.org/index.php/agronomia/article/view/43124 <p>Duckweed (<em>Lemna minor </em>L.) has attracted considerable attention in the scientific field due to its nutritional contribution and capacity to phytoremediate waters. Therefore, the objective of the study was to analyze the chemical composition of the macrophyte (<em>Lemna minor</em>) from natural environments. Chemical compounds and Weende composition were determined from the plant, and the fresh weight gain was observed in different types of water (deep well and bovine slurry), waters that were subjected to physical-chemical analysis. The chemical analysis of the macrophyte resulted in the presence of 1.42 mg.g^-1 of total chlorophyll; 2.35 mg.kg^-1 of ascorbic acid; tannin content less than 2.50 mg.kg^-1; 45.34 mg.kg^-1 of phenols; also the presence of alkaloids, phenols and reducing sugars in the chemical screening. The Weende analysis indicates a composition of: 89 % of dry matter, 30 % of crude protein, 4 % of gross energy, 3.2 % of ether extract, 15 % of ashes, 32 % of nitrogen-free extract and 10 % of fiber. The fresh weight gain of <em>Lemna minor</em> obtained in water contaminated with bovine slurry increased significantly 13 g.day.m³ and 5 g.day.m³ in deep well water. The physical-chemical properties of the water improve their quality 16 days after treatment with this aquatic plant with respect to the initial analysis. This macrophyte exhibits remarkable phytoremediation properties to absorb, metabolize and stabilize various pollutants effective in the purification of contaminated waters.</p> José Vera César Gavin-Moyano Mónica Villamar Jhonny Ortiz Jaime Sevilla Leonel Lucas Byron García Copyright (c) 2024 José Humberto Vera Rodríguez, César Gavin-Moyano, Mónica del Rocío Villamar Aveiga, Jhonny Darwin Ortiz Mata, Jaime David Sevilla Carrasco, Leonel Rolando Lucas Vidal, Byron Eduardo García Mata https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0 2024-12-19 2024-12-19 42 1 e254202 e254202 https://produccioncientificaluz.org/index.php/agronomia/article/view/43121 <p>Plantain producers from the Sucre municipality of Zulia state, Venezuela, have expressed concerns about improving or maintaining the quality of the bunch, seeking to protect it from damage caused by insects, thus harming its appearance for marketing. It was proposed to evaluate the effect of aqueous plant extracts from the 100 % water-plant organ mixture for the protection of the plantain bunch. A completely randomized experimental design was used with 5 treatments and 20 repetitions. The treatments were: T1: cluster without product application; T2: cluster sprinkled with garlic bulb extract (<em>Allium</em> <em>sativum</em>); T3: cluster sprinkled with hot pepper fruit extract (<em>Capsicum</em> spp.); T4: bunch sprayed with lemongrass (<em>Swinglea</em> <em>glutinosa</em>) leaf extract and T5: bunch sprayed with eucalyptus (<em>Eucalyptus</em> spp.) leaf extract. The variable that was studied was: bunch fruits without damage from insect attack. T2 and T3 presented a higher percentage of fruits without insect damage (94 and 96 % respectively), with better quality in the bunch for commercialization.</p> Juan Nava Kleber Calle Pedro Andrade Nestor Vera Winston Espinoza Copyright (c) 2024 Juan Carlos Nava, Kleber Manuel Calle Romero, Pedro Andrade Alvarado, Néstor Vera Lucio, Wiston Espinoza Moran https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0 2024-12-18 2024-12-18 42 1 e254201 e254201