Browsing by Author "Aguilera, Javier"

Now showing 1 - 14 of 14
  • Adaptacion al cambio en zonas de altura: Prácticas e estrategias para afrontar riesgos de clima y de mercado en agro-ecosistemas vulnerables
    Aguilera, Javier (2007)
    A presentation about the SANREM-CRSP LTR4 project in the Bolivian Highlands "Adapting to change in high altitudes: Practices and strategies to face climate and market risks in vulnerable agro-ecosystems". This presentation describes the different aspects of this research project. It includes the sponsoring and beneficiary institutions, and also discusses the objectives and characteristics of the project.
  • Agriculture in the Bolivian Altiplano
    Aguilera, Javier (2009)
    An overview of soil fertility in the Bolivian Altiplano.
  • Breve descripción de las características de Umala: Area de intervención del proyecto SANREM CRSP
    Aguilera, Javier (2006)
    This presentation gives a brief description of the Municipality of Umala's characteristics, one of the areas of intervention of the SANREM CRSP project. This includes a geographic overview, as well as the production systems in the area such as potato and quinua. It also describes some of the problems faced by producers of these commodities both in production of the crop and marketing of their products.
  • Changes in soil organic C and N due to climate change and socioeconomic factors in potato-based cropping systems in the Bolivian Highlands
    Motavalli, Peter P.; Aguilera, Javier; Valdivia, Corinne; García, Magali; Jiménez, Elizabeth; Cusicanqui, Jorge; Miranda, R. (Madison, WI: American Society of Agronomy, 2007)
    Global climate change and changes in migration and market conditions in the Bolivian Highlands (Altiplano) have reduced the use of traditional cropping practices and increased the risk of crop failure and food insecurity. The objectives of this research were to survey indigenous farming communities in the northern Altiplano of Bolivia to determine the actual and perceived changes in cropping practices in potato-based cropping systems and to assess the effects of these changes on soil total organic carbon (C) and total nitrogen (N) levels and the availability and composition of soil amendments. Village-level surveys were conducted using questionnaires and participatory techniques in 2006-2007 in four communities that were selected to represent communities situated at relatively low and high altitudes in the region. Samples of soil amendments, primarily animal manures, were obtained from each community to determine the range of composition of the materials. In addition, soil samples were collected to a 20 cm depth from agricultural fields that represented different stages of the common agricultural rotation practiced in the region and that had different lengths of fallow periods. A hypothesis of this research is that climate change and socioeconomic factors have caused lower soil total organic C and total N levels due to increased intensity of land use and the amount and type of tillage, and a decrease in the length of the fallow period that was traditionally used to restore soil fertility. The results of the analysis of the soil amendments and soils will be compared to community perceptions of changes in soil quality and management and any differences among the communities will be discussed. The findings of this research will assist in determining if appropriate management practices need to be identified to improve soil organic matter in order to possibly mitigate negative effects of climate change in the area.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Como vive el gorgojo de Los Andes o gusano blanco de la papa
    Gonzales, Miguel Angel; Chambilla, Carola; Aguilera, Javier (2007)
    Una presentación sobre como vive y como controlar el gorgojo de Los Andes o gusano blanco de la papa.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Curso sobre manejo de abonos y siembra
    Gonzales, Miguel Angel; Chambilla, Carola; Aguilera, Javier (2007)
    Presentación en capacitación sobre el manejo de abonos y siembra, en taller con agricultores de comunidades del Municipio de Umala.
  • Differences in cropping systems and soil organic carbon due to climate change and socioeconomic factors in potato-based cropping systems in the Bolivian Highlands
    Motavalli, Peter P.; Cusicanqui, Jorge; Aguilera, Javier; Valdivia, Corinne; García, Magali; Jiménez, Elizabeth; Miranda, R. (2008)
    This presentation presents results of differences in cropping systems and soil organic carbon in the Bolivian Highlands, due to climate change and socioeconomic factors in potato-based cropping systems.
  • Differences in cropping systems and soil organic carbon due to climate change and socioeconomic factors in potato-based cropping systems in the Bolivian highlands
    Motavalli, Peter P.; Cusicanqui, Jorge; Aguilera, Javier; Valdivia, Corinne; García, Magali; Jiménez, Elizabeth; Miranda, R. (2008)
    This presentation discusses research performed in Bolivia on climate change in regard to soil degradation. Through interdisciplinary methods in soil science and social science, the researchers attempted to determine why and how much livelihoods have changed in the Bolivian highlands. Specifically, the researchers were interested in the climate and human interface and how this has been affected by reduced rainfall and climate change.
  • Effects of changes in fallow length on soil organic C due to climate change and socioeconomic factors in potato-based cropping systems in the Bolivian Highlands
    Motavalli, Peter P.; Aguilera, Javier; Jintaridth, Bunjirtluk; Valdivia, Corinne; Gonzales, Miguel Angel; Chambilla, Carola (2009)
    Fallowing land has an important role in soil fertility restoration in potato-based cropped systems in the semi-arid Bolivian Highlands (Altiplano) Region. However, climate change and changes in migration and market conditions have reduced the use of this traditional practice and possibly increased soil degradation. The objectives of this research were to assess the effects of cropping and length of fallow on soil total organic carbon (C) and labile soil C fractions among indigenous communities in the Central Altiplano. The study sites were four communities in the Central Altiplano that were selected to represent communities situated at relatively low and high altitudes in the region. Soil samples were collected to a 20 cm depth from agricultural fields that represented different stages of the common agricultural rotation practiced in the region and that had different fallow periods. Soils were analyzed for total organic C, water-soluble C, particulate organic matter C, and potassium permanganate reactive C. Humic acid from the samples was extracted and analyzed using diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier-transformed (DRIFT) mid-infrared spectroscopy. Results from the permanganate test showed that labile C increased with > 40 yrs fallow and varied among communities. The peak ratios measured by the DRIFT analysis also showed differences among the soil samples with different fallow histories. The findings of this research will assist in determining if appropriate management practices need to be developed to improve soil organic matter in the region.
  • Thumbnail Image
    The effects of climate change and soil management practices on soil organic matter in agro-ecosystems of the Bolivian Altiplano
    Aguilera, Javier (2008)
    This presentation shows how the current soil management practices in Umala-Bolivia influences the availability of nutrients in local soils, and what practices should be adopted to prevent further damage.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Impacts of Cultivation and Fallow Length on Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Availability in the Bolivian Andean Highland Region
    Aguilera, Javier; Motavalli, Peter P.; Valdivia, Corinne; Gonzales, Miguel Angel (2013-11)
    Inclusion of periods of unmanaged or natural fallowing is an important soil management practice in the potato-based cropping systems of the resource-poor Andean highland region (Altiplano) of Bolivia. However, in recent years the area in fallow and the fallow length are being reduced due to greater land use intensity and competing land uses. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of the length of cropping and fallowing periods on soil degradation or soil restoration, and to compare the potential soil carbon and nitrogen mineralization from a range of cropped and fallow lands at different elevations. Four representative indigenous communities of the semiarid central Altiplano were selected, 2 at a relatively high elevation and 2 at a relatively low elevation. Soil samples were collected in 2006 and 2007 from fields at the first, second, and third year of crop rotation and from fields with 1, 10, 20, 30, and 40 years of fallow and analyzed for several soil properties. In general, the upper elevations had significantly higher soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, inorganic nitrogen, soil test phosphorus and potassium, exchangeable calcium and magnesium, and cation exchange capacity than the lower elevations. Cropping significantly decreased total and active soil organic carbon and total, inorganic, and active soil nitrogen. Fallowing was observed to restore total and active soil organic carbon and total and active soil nitrogen more rapidly in the higher communities than in the lower communities; this difference was mainly attributed to differences in initial soil properties, climate, and land management in cropped fields with elevation. Further research may be needed to determine which factor has the most influence on soil degradation and soil fertility restoration in this environment in order to assist farmers to improve soil fertility.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Management of organic and inorganic soil fertility inputs in indigenous agricultural communities in the Bolivian Highlands
    Aguilera, Javier; Miranda, R.; Motavalli, Peter P.; Tangara, E.; Herrera, E. A. (2008)
    The Bolivian highland plateau region (Altiplano) is a semi-arid region in the Andes Mountains that has a range in elevation of between 3600 and 4300 m above sea level. The region's climate is characterized by high diurnal temperature variations, frost risks, low and irregular precipitation and high risks of drought during the growing season (Garcia et al., 2007). Recent research has indicated that the Andes region will experience temperature increases of up to 6 degrees C by the end of the century (Bradley et al., 2006, IPCC, 2007). In addition, a consequence of global climate change has been and will be a higher incidence of extreme weather events (Haylock et al., 2006; Thibeault et al., 2008). These climate changes may increase the risk of crop failure and food insecurity of local indigenous communities in the region. Other economic and social changes in the region, such as urban migration, have also impacted agricultural practices in this region, which are primarily potato-based cropping systems and livestock rearing of cows, sheep and camelids (e.g., alpaca and lama) (Valdivia et al., 2001). Research in the Altiplano has indicated that one consequence of climatic and socioeconomic changes has been increased soil degradation (Swinton and Quiroz, 2004; Motavalli et al., 2008). An important component of soils that may assist in mitigating this soil degradation is soil organic matter (SOM) or soil total organic carbon (SOC). Increased soil organic matter generally improves soil quality and the long-term sustainability of agroecosystems (Gupta et al., 1994). Improvements in existing soil management practices or the introduction of alternative practices that increase SOM may be needed for increased production and for reducing the negative consequences of climate change.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Manejo integrado de la polilla de la papa
    Gonzales, Miguel Angel; Chambilla, Carola; Aguilera, Javier (2007)
    Presentación en capacitación sobre el manejo integrado de la polilla de la papa, en taller con agricultores de comunidades del Municipio de Umala.
  • Taller de identificacion de demandas tecnologicas en cuatro comunidades del Municipio de Umala: Resultados preliminares
    Aguilera, Javier (2006)
    A presentation of the preliminary results from a workshop conducted in four communities in the Municipality of Umala to identify their technological demands. This presentation describes the workshop proceedings which included an assessment of the problems associated with the production of different crops in both the lower and upper regions. In addition to describing the basic problems associated with each crop or area of production, the workshop discussed the specific challenges faced in each area, including climate, soil erosion, low market prices, and plant diseases. After discussing these challenges, participants were able to adequately asses their technological demands for production.