| Popis: |
Various human activities combined with climatic changes have caused that once productive pasture areas are currently deteriorated and present low forage production potential for which they require replanting, however, the availability of seed of forage species is limited and most are imported, so it is expensive. The costs of the seed of two forage tree species palo dulce (Eysenhardtia orthocarpa) and sitiporo (Desmanthus covillei), harvested during 2018 and 2019 in the center of Sonora, Mexico, were compared with the prices offered by small companies of local seed harvesters, with the prices of seed companies in the United States of America. Seed production and quality were evaluated considering germination, purity, and viability (%) as a basis. Production, handling, and transportation costs were considered, as well as phytosanitary tests and import customs payments. The results show that the total cost per kg of Pure Living Seed (SPV) averaged $ 603.87 and $ 308.90 for palo dulce and sitiporo, respectively, in locally harvested seed it was $ 1200.00 and $ 450.00 per kilogram for palo dulce and sitiporo in the seed acquired regionally and $ 5,966.82 and $ 6,636.75 for palo dulce and sitiporo in imported seed, respectively. The quality of locally sourced seed is like that of regional and imported seed, which is between 2 and 19 times more expensive compared to local seed. It is concluded that the quantity and quality of the seed of the trees produced in pasturelands in years of good rain is adequate for the rehabilitation of pasturelands. High profit margins from the harvest and sale of local seed can be an important complementary source of income to increase profits for low-income livestock producers. In addition to increasing the profits of producers, it allows promoting temporary employment in rural areas or regions. |
