After a very quick breakfast, we loaded the vans and drove to the Irapuato/Salamanca Campus of the University of Guanajuato. This campus is located about 30 minutes south from the city of Guanajuato and it houses academic programs in life science and engineering. Our session began with an introduction to the campus from the Chancellor, Dr. Ernesto Camarena. He provided a brief overview of the campus, the academic programs and some of the research that takes place there. A small group of students from the campus joined us in this presentation and our eventual work for the day.
We then heard from Dr. Rafael Ramirez Malagion (top right), who presented information about cacti, which were originally from Mexico. There are now 1,600 species, 60% of them are found in Mexico, many of which are endangered because of ecosystem degradation and poaching from collectors who will pay high dollars to have these different cacti in their collections. The faculty in Life Sciences are researching methods for producing these plants in labs (in vitro). Next we heard from Dr. Luis Parra-Negrete (bottom right) who presented information about Agaves. There are 900 different species of Agave and over 100 uses of this plant including food, medicine, and construction. The most famous use, as most of us know, is in the production of tequila, but Luis explained to us that the agave used to produce this liquor is from one variety only. |
After the presentations, the Chancellor again welcomed us to the campus and told us that "we have experienced climate change and three years of severe drought. However, we won't go to sleep or cry--we will work." | Dr. Juan Frias Hernandez (left) presented next and told us about the research the faculty are conducting about mesquites, which he says is the most important plant in Central and North Mexico because it can tolerate low moisture, low fertility and poor soils. Once the mesquites are established, a whole ecosystem builds itself around them providing cover for plants, animals and microorganisms. There are many important uses of mesquite (besides adding them to our charcoal grill fires), such as firewood, animal feed, furniture, paper, honey and medicinal purposes. |
From the classroom (which was a dedicated Penn State classroom at the campus), we moved to the campus' Agave Center where they are collecting, conserving, and protecting the Agave genome. Their purpose is to promote the uses of different species rather than just promoting and growing the one that is used for tequila production. In the field, Luis introduced the students to a variety of plants and how they could be used.
Aguameil (the sugar water in the inside of the cactus) Inside the plantlet lab
After our tour of the lab, we went back to the campus and had lunch together in the cafeteria (above) before we headed out to the National Agave Center which consists of fields of a variety of species. | We spent close to two hours in the field looking at a variety of Agave and cacti and having Dr. Ramirez explain a little about each of them. |
Cactus--referred to as the "mother-in-law's seat" | Bhavik by an old agave. |
After our work in the fields, we went over to the "Hacienda Copal," which is the administrative building and courtyard for the University of Guanajuato at Irapuato. The students were introduced to various Agave products including pulque, meil (honey-like product) and alfalfa and strawberry tequila beverages. We then headed back to the hotel, but not before getting a picture of the students from the Irapuato campus and some of our students. |
Tomorrow, we visit rural Penjamo and the Corralejo Hacienda (where tequila is made) as well as the Peralta Pre-Hispanic Indian Ruins. Remember to visit the students' blog about the trip at http://mexicoblog2013.wordpress.com/ |