Agricultural crops suitable for the different developmental stages of agroforest systems in Quintana Roo, Mexico

Abstract

The shortened fallow period in slash and bum agriculture of the Maya of Quintana Roo, Mexico, has reduced soil fertility, yields, biodiversity, and mature forest vegetation. Studies have shown that multistrata agroforests can provide for the farmers' well-being while protecting forest resources. The objective of this investigation was to identify, describe, and evaluate Mayan crop plants that could be used in multistrata agroforests. By using indigenous knowledge held by Mayan farmers, along with local ecosystem processes, a sustainable agroforestry system can be designed. Such a system would add value to the secondary vegetation of the region by enriching it with valuable agricultural crops, and timber species. The added value will allow the farmers to have longer fallow periods, enabling the natural forest vegetation to reach maturity, providing habitat for the local flora and fauna, while providing the farmers with agricultural, timber, and non-timber resources. We used participant observation, interviews with farmers, and field measurements to collect information on the social, agricultural, and ecological aspects of the plants. We identified five horizontal and one vertical strata in mature homegardens: the herbaceous stratum, the low shrub stratum, the tall shrub stratum, the fruit tree stratum, the timber tree stratum, and the viny stratum. We categorized 79 forbs, shrubs, and vines identified for their temporal and spatial placement in an agroforest. The plants evaluated can be placed in one of the four developmental stages of agroforests. The most common constraint with the late stages of agroforestry systems are the low light conditions of the understory. Vines showed the most potential for producing edible biomass in these shaded conditions.

We identified, described and evaluated 11 vines belonging to six families: espelon and jicama in Fabaceae; melocoton, chayote and luffa in Cucurbitaceae; Malabar nightshade in Basellaceae, pitahaya in Cactaceae, sweet potato in Ipomoaceae; and greater yam, lesser yam, and aerial yam in Convolvulaceae. The twining vines were found in all stages of agroforest development, the tendrillar vines were found in the shrub and fruit tree stages. Pitahaya, a root climber, was found in the fruit tree, and timber tree stages.