This study evaluated the effect of foliar application of biostimulants on cucumber crops (Cucumis sativus var. Centauro) under greenhouse conditions in a hydroponic system with a substrate. Applications were made every 15 days after transplanting to analyze the influence of biostimulants on fruit productivity over four cuts. Treatments were as follows: T1 (control, water), T2 (algal extract with bioactive compounds from Ascophyllum nodosum, N, K, B and Zn), T3 (foliar formulation with a high concentration of Mg, B and Zn), and T4 (a mixture of T2 and T3). Additionally, a nutrient solution with 14N, 1.5P, 7K, 8Ca, 2.5Mg and 3S was supplied during the production cycle. This study also applied Functional Data Analysis (FDA) to evaluate the dynamic responses of accumulated cucumber yield. Raw data were converted into continuous functions and functional principal component analysis (FPCA) was used to decompose yield trajectories into principal components for each treatment. FDA revealed significant (p = 0.04) treatment effects, with biostimulant treatments exhibiting shapes similar to each other but different from T1. Functional principal component analysis (FPCA) identified one major variation mode (94.3% variance) linked to an increased response or acceleration between the second and third cut, particularly for T4. Functional ANOVA also confirmed significant (p < 0.01) treatment effects between these cuts, which was not observed with traditional repeated-measures ANOVA, as total harvest weight per cut was not affected by the application of biostimulants (P≥0.9). T4 (algal extract + Mg-B-Zn) maximized yield via early-phase acceleration. FDA captured continuous yield dynamics, revealing inflection points commonly missed by traditional methods.

The commercial production of walnut plants still relies on field or greenhouse grafting using seedling plants as rootstocks. This is a time-consuming process, requiring at least two years to produce a grafted plant, and often results in orchard heterogeneity, thereby complicating mechanization procedures. In recent years, in vitro micropropagation has enabled the clonal propagation of walnut cultivars and rootstocks; however, grafting practices remain largely dependent on traditional nursery methods. In vitro micrografting, based on the use of in vitro produced rootstocks and scions, may significantly reduce the time required to produce a grafted walnut plant. In this study, in vitro regenerated shoots of ‘Paradox’ (Juglans hindsii × Juglans regia) cl. ‘Vlach’ were used as rootstocks for micrografting, while J. regia cvs. ‘Chandler’ and ‘Howard’ were used as scions. Two cleft grafting types, top and side, were tested across three developmental stages of the rootstock (pre-rooting, post-rooting, and post-acclimatization). The results showed that for both cleft grafting methods and for the two cultivars, no statistically significant differences were found. In contrast, statistically significant differences emerged among the different phases in which micrografting was performed. The highest grafting success was achieved with cv. ‘Howard’ using the side cleft method during the pre-rooting phase of rootstock development. Although further optimization is required, the results highlight the potential of in vitro micrografting as an alternative to conventional grafting methods.

Parasitoid wasps are highly effective biological control agents, capable of parasitizing eggs, larvae, and adults of various insect species. They often act with other natural enemies, highlighting their importance in pest management strategies for crops such as rice (Oryza sativa L.). However, their effective application requires understanding of their field interactions and the influence of crop cultivars and plot heterogeneity, providing essential insights for developing sustainable practices that optimize ecological interactions in agroecosystems. The aim of this study was to evaluate natural egg parasitism in two economically important rice pests, Tibraca limbativentris Stål and Oebalus spp., while considering the influence of local-scale factors (plot edge vs. center) and plant architectural traits (tall vs. short cultivars) on parasitoid incidence. To achieve this, ten rice paddies in Argentina were sampled throughout the crop cycle. Stink bug egg masses were manually collected from both plot zones (edge/center), considering two rice cultivars (tall/short plants). Eggs were placed in 250cc containers covered with voile fabric and monitored daily until either parasitoids or nymphs emerged. Taxonomic determination was performed by examining nymphal characters, and parasitoids were identified using the relevant literature. In total, 1,331 eggs (58.68% from T. limbativentris and 41.32% from Oebalus spp.) were obtained, mainly collected during the crop reproductive phenology. Overall, 22.84% of eggs were parasitized by Telenomus sp., and parasitism was consistently higher at plot edges for both pest groups. The incidence of Telenomus sp. also varied with rice cultivars: no parasitism of T. limbativentris occurred in tall cultivars, but it did occur in short ones, while parasitism of Oebalus was highest in tall plants and lowest in short plants. These results demonstrate that local-scale factors and plant architecture affect Telenomus sp. activity, and despite agrochemical use, this parasitoid remain active, contributing to pest suppression and emphasizing their agroecological importance in local crops.

Antimicrobial resistance has emerged as one of the most pressing global health threats, reducing the effectiveness of conventional antibiotics and increasing the prevalence of untreatable infections. In response, researchers are turning to natural sources, particularly crop plants or their by-products, known for their antimicrobial potential. Exploring these crop-derived compounds not only addresses the urgent need for novel therapeutic options but also contributes to the valorization of agricultural resources for human health applications. This study investigated the in vitro antimicrobial activity of methanolic extracts prepared from Echinacea purpurea flowers and Chenopodium formosanum (djulis) seed husks against major human oral pathogens. Plant materials were macerated in 100% methanol, filtered, and concentrated by rotary evaporation. Antimicrobial activity was assessed using the disk diffusion method, with ampicillin and ketoconazole serving as positive controls for bacteria and fungi, respectively. Triplicate experiments were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test. The methanolic extract of C. formosanum husk (CFH) demonstrated stronger antibacterial activity than the E. purpurea flower (EPF). At full strength (100%), both extracts produced the largest inhibition zones, with Staphylococcus aureus being the most susceptible (EPF: 21.6 ± 0.49 mm; CFH: 24.2 ± 0.85 mm). Escherichia coli and Porphyromonas gingivalis showed no inhibition at 25% EPF, whereas concentrations ≥ 50% of both extracts significantly inhibited E. coli, Streptococcus mutans, and P. gingivalis. Candida albicans exhibited marked resistance to both extracts. Statistical analysis confirmed significant (p < 0.05) differences in antimicrobial effects depending on extract type, microbial strain, and concentration. These results highlight the potential of crop-derived methanolic extracts as promising natural antimicrobial agents, contributing to sustainable approaches for managing microbial infections.

Somatic embryogenesis (SE) is the process by which embryo-like structures are formed from somatic cells. Although SE has been successfully applied to several herbaceous annual species, most woody species, including olive (Olea europaea L.), remain recalcitrant, exhibiting low capacity for somatic embryo development, particularly when adult tissues are used as initial explants. To overcome these limitations, a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying SE is essential. In olive, however, these mechanisms remain largely unexplored, and the pathways controlling induction of SE and further embryonic differentiation and development are still poorly understood. To contribute to this knowledge, high- and low-embryogenic efficiency lines were established using SE cultures of the olive cultivar ‘Arbequina’, with zygotic embryos used as initial explants. Somatic embryogenic lines were maintained in Embryogenesis Cyclic Olive (ECO). At the end of the third subculture, plant material was collected, and whole proteome analysis was performed using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), applying both Suspension-Trapping (S-Trap)- and Orbitrap Mass Spectrometer (OT-2)-based workflows. A total of 13,583 proteins and 9,119 protein groups were identified using the S-Trap method, while 13,686 proteins and 9,211 protein groups were identified using the OT-2 method. From these, several well-known SE biomarkers were identified. Isoforms from Class III peroxidases were identified as characteristic of high-embryogenic efficiency lines. These findings provide novel molecular insights into the regulation of SE in olive and may support the development of improved propagation protocols for recalcitrant genotypes.

Fungal phytopathogens cause major crop losses worldwide and are traditionally managed with chemical fungicides. However, excessive use of fungicides promotes resistance, affects non-target organisms, and raises environmental and food safety concerns. Bacterial strains with strong antifungal activity represent a sustainable alternative for biocontrol development. In a previous study, three bacterial strains (Pseudomonas protegens MH2, Pseudomonas koreensis CNI3, and Pseudomonas sp. R3) showed high inhibitory activity against plant pathogenic fungi, including Phomopsis sp., Botryosphaeria sp., and Harpophora maydis (unpublished data). To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying their antifungal activity, whole-genome sequencing was combined with functional annotation and secondary metabolite mining using antiSMASH. Biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) were compared across strains to identify metabolites potentially responsible for antifungal effects.

Strain MH2 exhibited strong inhibition (≥70% mycelial inhibition) of Phomopsis sp. and Botryosphaeria sp. and encoded a diverse set of BGCs, including those for 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol, pyoluteorin, pyrrolnitrin, orfamide-type lipopeptides, phenazines, hydrogen cyanide, and multiple siderophores. Strain CNI3 inhibited H. maydis and Botryosphaeria sp. and carried clusters for NRPS, PKS, WLIP-like lipopeptides, siderophores, betalactones, and hydrogen cyanide. Strain R3, active only against H. maydis, contained a smaller arsenal of BGCs, notably pyoverdine-like siderophores, hydrogen cyanide, arylpolyenes, and betalactones. Comparative analysis indicated that MH2 and CNI3 harbor unique NRPS/PKS clusters absent in R3, potentially explaining their broader antifungal spectra.

The genomic profiles of these strains reveal multiple antifungal determinants, with MH2 emerging as the most promising candidate for biocontrol development due to its broad activity and rich biosynthetic repertoire. These results provide a genomic basis for the antifungal potential of these isolates and establish a foundation for integrative transcriptomic, metabolomic, and functional studies to characterize their mechanisms and biotechnological applications.

Argentina is among the top 20 legume producers in terms of tonnage. Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walp., cv. Cuarentón) contains a high concentration of protein, minerals, vitamins, and carbohydrates and a low lipid content, making it of great importance in human nutrition. The seeds of various legumes have been reported to be an important source of primary inoculum for various pathogenic fungi, including species of the genera Fusarium, Curvularia, Bipolaris, Alternaria, and Macrophomina, etc. Therefore, the objective of this study was to quantify the presence of fungi in cowpea seeds from two agricultural seasons and to identify the fungi present in different parts of the seedling (root, leaf, and petiole). The plant material was sown in Petri dishes with potato glucose agar with the addition of an antibiotic (streptomycin) to avoid bacterial contamination. For the seeds, 200 seeds of the Cuarentón variety were used. The results obtained were as follows: seeds from the 22/23 campaign: Trichoderma (11.5%), Fusarium (9%), Sordaria (4%), Alternaria (4%), Penicillium (3.5%), Aspergillus (2%), Bipolaris (0.5%), and Nigrospora (0.5%). Seed Campaign 23/24: Trichoderma (22%), Fusarium (7%), Curvularia (3%), Aspergillus (1.5%), and Nigrospora (0.5%). The fungi found in the sowing of the different parts of the seedling are the following: root: Fusarium and Exserohilum; leaves: Alternaria, Fusarium and Cladosporium; and petiole: Alternaria and Bipolaris. It is noteworthy that the genus Trichoderma is the fungus with the highest incidence levels in both campaigns. This microorganism stands out for being an excellent antagonist of fungal pathogens. Its use in the biological control of diseases is an indispensable tool today in the integrated management of pests and diseases of different crops. This work makes a first contribution to the search for native fungal antagonists in cowpea crops, in order to improve the control of fungal diseases.

Monitoring ecological health at regional scales is crucial for guiding sustainable agricultural practices under increasing climatic and anthropogenic pressures. This study employs the Remote Sensing Ecological Index (RSEI), integrating NDVI, Land Surface Temperature (LST), Normalized Difference Built-up and Soil Index (NDBSI), and wetness, to assess ecological condition during the Kharif season from 2001 to 2023 using MODIS imagery across Punjab. Each indicator was normalized (0–1) and processed through Principal Component Analysis (PCA), with PCA1 utilized to construct the composite RSEI. Spatiotemporal analyses reveal a predominance of moderate ecological quality (37–45%), while the “Good” category declined from 19.11% in 2001 to 14.40% in 2023, reflecting ecological stagnation under urbanization and thermal stress. Vegetation (NDVI) contributed most strongly to RSEI (0.72-0.81), followed by wetness (0.12-0.18), whereas NDBSI and LST, though lower in weight, strongly influenced localized ecological degradation. Temporal fluctuations highlight stress years (2020 with elevated LST and reduced NDVI) and partial recovery in 2023. Rainfall analysis underscores the dominance of monsoon variability, with July–September contributing >70% of annual totals, directly shaping vegetation health and wetness. Correlation analysis demonstrates that RSEI negatively associates with NDVI (–0.74), wetness (–0.84), and paddy yield (–0.23), while positively linking with NDBSI (0.715), confirming the ecological and agronomic costs of built-up expansion and climate stress. These findings underscore the utility of RSEI as a robust, spatially explicit indicator of ecosystem quality, offering actionable insights for precision agriculture and sustainable land-use planning in water-intensive crop regions.

The use of biopolymers as seed coating is an innovative, pre-germinative method of controlled seed hydration, combined with the inoculation of biological agents that act as biocontrollers or growth promoters, helping to improve germination, initial plant growth, and overcome different types of biotic or abiotic stress. Therefore, the objective of this work was to evaluate the compatibility between Trichoderma virens and biopolymers at different concentrations. The following biopolymers were used: Maltodextrin (M), Sodium Alginate (AlNa), Guar Gum (GG), and Arabig Gum (AG) in four different concentrations. The native Trichoderma virens fungus used as a biostimulant belongs to the fungal collection of the Plant Pathology Department of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences of the National University of the Northeast (FCA-UNNE). Two methodologies were used in petri culture: Screening with PDA (potato dextrose agar) discs and spore viability counting for the different biopolymers and concentrations (treatments). Regarding the screening technique, the biopolymers with the lowest incidence on mycelial growth were M and AlNa, while those with the highest statistical impact were AG and GG. In the spore viability assay, the treatment that statistically yielded the highest number of viable spores was 1% guar gum, followed by 0.75% GG and 2% AlNa. In conclusion, these preliminary results on the compatibility between biopolymers and T. virens lay the groundwork for their inclusion as a coating in the seed. The assay indicates that GG was the most effective biopolymer for spore viability, while AG and GG significantly favored mycelial growth of T. virens. These differences could be attributed to the different nutritional requirements of the fungus during its growth and germination phases, underscoring the importance of selecting compatible biopolymers for each phase.

The Philippine mango sector experienced a steady decline from 2000 to 2022 across all industry performance metrics, including productive area, production volume, yield per unit area, and yield per tree. In addition, mango exports are not performing as well as they did in previous decades. Low farm-gate prices, inadequate induction and flowering intensity, a lack of farm-to-market routes, and a lack of pest control, nutrition management, and weather factors are additional issues that many farmers, particularly small-scale farmers, face. Responding to these issues, the Davao del Sur State College proposed and approved a college-funded program that developed an AI-based Smart application and IoT-based devices for the management of mango production, employing cutting-edge technologies in smart and sustainable agriculture. Thus, the program developed the following technologies: an AI-based Mobile Application to manage, the Soil Macro Nutrient Analyzer, and the Micro-weather Station. As a result of these developments, community involvement and activities were carried out to enable women and men mango farmers of Digos City, Davao del Sur, Philippines, to use the developed technologies. The program achieved its goals, including providing community partners with access to advanced farming technologies. Moreover, this program contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 2, which seeks to eradicate hunger by empowering small-scale farmers to increase agricultural output.