RICHNESS, ABUNDANCE AND COMPOSITION OF AGRESTALS IN CROP FIELDS UNDER DIFFERENT AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES IN THE CITY HALL OF CUAJIMALPA, MEXICO CITY
Keywords:
agriculture, floristic similarity, native flora, technified practices, traditional practicesAbstract
Agriculture in Mexico City has been important since pre-Hispanic times, developed under different traditional agricultural systems. Although the most important domesticated species are well recognized, the composition and richness of weeds has not been described in detail. The objectives of the present study were: 1) To record the knowledge and use of the weeds that grow in the fields of the city hall of Cuajimalpa, Mexico City, 2) To compare the composition, richness and diversity of the weeds that grow in plots of Cuajimalpa subject to different agricultural practices (Traditional vs Technified) and 3) To compare the richness and composition of the seed bank in these plots. This study was developed in the localities of San Lorenzo Acopilco, San Mateo Tlaltenango and San Pablo Chimalpa. Seventeen interviews were applied and four samplings were carried out in plots with different agricultural practices. The richness, abundance and composition of the weeds were recorded in samplings, complementary collections and seed bank. The diversity and the floristic similarity between plots were estimated. The migratory status of the species was investigated. Interviews indicated that traditional agriculture and knowledge of weeds prevail, but technified practices were incorporated 30 years ago. Samples showed that the richness species, plant composition, abundance and availability of useful weeds changed and were more similar between both technified plots, evidencing the use of the herbicide. Conversely, it was more dissimilar among those with traditional practices, suggesting that these represent reservoirs of agrobiodiversity, mainly native species (more than 50% of the total richness), which could reflect that under traditional management, native weeds present strategies for evade new agricultural practices, particularly herbicide and fertilizer use, but also resist substitution by exotic weeds.
