Integration of the Controlled Production of Huitlacoche ( Ustilago maydis + Zea mays ) in the Traditional Milpa System from Guerrero, Mexico

Sirilo Suastegui-Cruz, Daniel Martínez-Carrera (), Miguel Sánchez, Myrna Bonilla, Ivan Castillo, Alfredo Morales, Nora Fernández, Beatriz Petlacalco and Wilfrido Martínez
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Sirilo Suastegui-Cruz: Program on Postdoctoral Stays for Mexico, Consejo Nacional de Humanidades, Ciencias y Tecnologías (CONAHCYT), Mexico City 03940, Mexico
Daniel Martínez-Carrera: Centre of Biotechnology of Medicinal, Functional and Edible Mushrooms (CB-HCFM), Colegio de Postgraduados (CP), Campus Puebla, Boulevard Forjadores de Puebla No. 205, Puebla 72760, Mexico
Miguel Sánchez: Centre of Biotechnology of Medicinal, Functional and Edible Mushrooms (CB-HCFM), Colegio de Postgraduados (CP), Campus Puebla, Boulevard Forjadores de Puebla No. 205, Puebla 72760, Mexico
Myrna Bonilla: Centre of Biotechnology of Medicinal, Functional and Edible Mushrooms (CB-HCFM), Colegio de Postgraduados (CP), Campus Puebla, Boulevard Forjadores de Puebla No. 205, Puebla 72760, Mexico
Ivan Castillo: Centre of Biotechnology of Medicinal, Functional and Edible Mushrooms (CB-HCFM), Colegio de Postgraduados (CP), Campus Puebla, Boulevard Forjadores de Puebla No. 205, Puebla 72760, Mexico
Alfredo Morales: Centre of Biotechnology of Medicinal, Functional and Edible Mushrooms (CB-HCFM), Colegio de Postgraduados (CP), Campus Puebla, Boulevard Forjadores de Puebla No. 205, Puebla 72760, Mexico
Nora Fernández: Centre of Biotechnology of Medicinal, Functional and Edible Mushrooms (CB-HCFM), Colegio de Postgraduados (CP), Campus Puebla, Boulevard Forjadores de Puebla No. 205, Puebla 72760, Mexico
Beatriz Petlacalco: Centre of Biotechnology of Medicinal, Functional and Edible Mushrooms (CB-HCFM), Colegio de Postgraduados (CP), Campus Puebla, Boulevard Forjadores de Puebla No. 205, Puebla 72760, Mexico
Wilfrido Martínez: Centre of Biotechnology of Medicinal, Functional and Edible Mushrooms (CB-HCFM), Colegio de Postgraduados (CP), Campus Puebla, Boulevard Forjadores de Puebla No. 205, Puebla 72760, Mexico

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 23, 1-16

Abstract: Food security has been an essential priority for decades due to its direct impact on human development. Despite significant advances in meeting basic food needs, food security remains a global challenge. In Mexico, the sustainable traditional polyculture system known as milpa allows synergy among three or more food sources, increasing the economic income for peasants. We integrated the controlled production of huitlacoche ( Ustilago maydis + Zea mays ) galls, traditional food consumed since pre-Hispanic times, in a milpa from Las Ánimas community, Tecoanapa Municipality, Guerrero, Mexico, in order to improve food diversity, productivity, income, and food security. Two contiguous plots were evaluated: the traditional milpa system (TMS) and the milpa integrating controlled production of huitlacoche galls (TMS + Huitlacoche). Different variables were assessed including weight and size of maize ears and huitlacoche galls; degree of huitlacoche infection; production and income of maize ( Zea mays ), beans ( Phaseolus spp.), squash ( Cucurbita spp.), and huitlacoche; and sustainability indicators, maize grain sales, type of maize seed, huitlacoche sales, beans sales, and squash sales during the dry season. The integration of the controlled production of huitlacoche improved productivity and net incomes from the traditional milpa. The traditional milpa system (TMS) had an income of USD $111.00 from maize grains, while the milpa integrating controlled production of huitlacoche galls (TMS + Huitlacoche) had an income of USD $409.00 from galls. This is reflected in the cost/benefit ratio, in which milpa integrating controlled production of huitlacoche galls (TMS + Huitlacoche) was 1.48, while the traditional milpa system (TMS) was not profitable (0.91). Sustainability indicators show that the controlled production of huitlacoche galls contribute to food diversity, productivity, and income in the traditional milpa system, based on the association of maize, beans, squash, and huitlacoche, showing potential for improving food security in rural communities.

Keywords: huitlacoche; sustainability indicators; traditional milpa system; yields (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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