Abstract

GUEVARA HERNANDEZ, Francisco et al. Local criteria for chayote (Sechium edule Jacq. Sw.) seed selection in rural areas of Chiapas, Mexico. Acta Agron. [online]. 2015, vol.64, n.2, pp.178-185. ISSN 0120-2812.  https://doi.org/10.15446/acag.v64n2.39776.

This article describes the farmers' criteria for chayote (Sechium edule Jacq. Sw.) seed selection in rural areas of the municipalities of Villa Corzo and Villaflores, Chiapas, México. The study was based upon a socio-anthropological analysis following the ethno agronomy and ethno botany approaches in order to gather and systematize the traditional knowledge. Through semi-structured interviews applied to 60 farmers, the seed (fruit) selection criteria were studied regarding color, size and presence of spines; besides, information on origin of their varieties and some recommendations for the chayote cropping was obtained. It was documented that in both municipalities the chayote cropping is done without taking into consideration the variables previously mentioned by the farmers themselves as important. More than 60% of the farmers buy the seeds and recommend other fellows those varieties having spines due to their flavor. The validity of the socio-anthropological studies regarding traditional farming systems is confirmed, particularly on ethno botany, in order to locally understand social and productive relationships. This is an important element to document, analyze, validate and understand farmers' criteria as an option to improve local farming systems.

Keywords : Ethno agronomy; ethno botany; traditional knowledge; Sechiun edule varieties; Chiapas; México.

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