2026-03-31
Isabel A. Amaro-Espejo, Paula Zúñiga-Ruíz, Karla L. Pérez-Torres, Rocío G. Bernal-Ramírez, Christian Reyes-Velázquez
The production of landfill leachate has become a source of water pollution. The coagulation–flocculation method has been used to remove contaminants from leachate using chemical coagulants. In the search for natural coagulants, starch obtained from potato and plantain waste has been considered as an alternative for this process. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ef fectiveness of contaminant removal from landfill leachate using potato and plantain starch obtained from agro-industrial waste. Potato and plantain starch were extracted using both wet and dry methods. The optimal starch dosage and pH for maximum turbidity removal were determined. Subsequently, four treatments were evaluated: T-A (aluminum sulfate), T-AB (sulfate + plantain starch), T-AC (sulfate + potato starch), and T-BC (potato + plantain starch), using the coagulation–flocculation method. This analysis was performed according to ASTM International standard procedures using jar test equipment. Turbidity and chemical oxygen demand (COD) were determined, and their removal percentages were calculated. Analysis of variance and Tukey’s test were performed using STATISTICA 7 sof tware. The results showed that pre-acidification of the leachate to pH 2.5 yielded better turbidity removal (70.1–83.7%) and COD removal (37.8–39.6%) across all treatments, with no significant dif ferences among them. It is concluded that natural coagulants obtained from potato and plantain waste are more ef fective under acidic pH conditions and represent an alternative to reduce the use of chemical coagulants and minimize their environmental impact.
2026-03-31
Pedro Rivera-Ruiz, Demetrio Salvador Fernández-Reynoso, Juan Enrique Rubiños-Panta, Cándido Mendoza-Pérez, Jorge Víctor Prado-Hernández, Abdul Khalil Gardezi
Instrumented paired forest small catchments provide rainfall and runof f data to assess hydrological response and determine the ef fect of dams in streams and gullies. The hydrological response of two paired forest small catchments in the Lake Pátzcuaro watershed was evaluated: the Ichupio small catchment, where dams were constructed in streams and gullies, and the Malacate small catchment, which served as a control. The small catchments were equipped with digital rain gauges to record rainfall and long-throat weirs with ultrasonic sensors to measure discharge. Using linear and multiple regression analyses, 11 precipitation and runof f variables were evaluated to identify their influence on the hydrological response of the small catchments. Thirteen paired events exhibiting simultaneous surface runof f in both small catchments were analyzed. Analysis of the hydrological processes showed that the Malacate small catchment exhibited higher runof f magnitudes (volume, depth, coef ficient, maximum, and mean), even though both small catchments received similar rainfall amounts and intensities. The determining factors for runof f in both small catchments were total event precipitation (PTE), precipitation during the previous 2 days (PP2D), precipitation intensity over 30 minutes (IP30), and runof f duration (TESC). Each small catchment exhibited distinct responses in runof f variables due to the presence of dams in streams and gullies. Associations were identified between water and soil conservation structures and hydrological responses in the Ichupio small catchment, particularly in terms of direct runof f and peak discharge. Significant dif ferences were observed in discharge rates and hydrographs, despite similar rainfall conditions in both small catchments. The results indicate that runof f magnitude depends on the interaction among rainfall, forest cover, and the construction of dams in streams and gullies.
2026-03-31
Pedro Sandoval-Estrada, Daniel Emiliano Rodriguez-Medina, Javier Perez-Inocencio, Cruz Ernesto Aguilar-Rodríguez, Oscar Eduardo Aguilar-Rodríguez
The search for sustainable alternatives to synthetic fertilizers has intensified interest in organic production systems, especially in high-value crops such as bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). The objective of this research was to evaluate the ef fectiveness of an organic substrate formulated from agro-industrial waste and three biofertilizers as a sustainable alternative to conventional chemical fertilizers in bell pepper cultivation under greenhouse conditions. The experiment was established in Los Reyes, Michoacán, Mexico, under a completely randomized design with six treatments and ten replications. The organic substrate was formulated using bovine manure (30%), coconut fiber powder (25%), rice husks (22%), sugarcane filter cake (15%), fish meal (5%), phosphate rock (2%), dolomitic lime (1%), and brewer’s yeast (1%). Three bioferments (Bio.1, Bio.2, Bio.3) with dif ferent formulations were evaluated and compared with the Steiner nutrient solution and an organic control. The measured variables included plant height, stem diameter, number of fruits, and average fruit weight. The organic substrate presented optimal physical properties, with total porosity of 88%, air porosity of 23.97%, and water retention capacity of 64.15%. Its physicochemical characteristics were also appropriate (pH 7.1, EC 0.85 dS m–¹, CEC 49.14 me 100 g–¹). Bioferment Bio.3 showed the highest ef fectiveness, producing plants with an average height of 79.1 cm and fruits weighing 203 g, values statistically similar to those obtained with conventional fertilization (85.3 cm and 200–207 g). All biofertilizers complied with microbiological standards and were free of pathogens. The findings demonstrate that the organic substrate combined with Bio.3 constitutes a technically viable and environmentally sustainable alternative for greenhouse bell pepper production, providing yields and fruit quality comparable to conventional systems while promoting circular economy principles and reducing dependence on synthetic inputs.
2026-02-28
Elisama Sánchez-Domínguez, María de Jesús Briseño-López, Bernardo Murillo-Amador, Jaime Ramon Holguín-Peña, Luis Guillermo Hernández-Montiel, Liliana Lara-Capistrán
Cherry tomato (Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme) is a crop of great economic importance due to its high demand for fresh consumption and the benefits of its bioactive compounds for human health. However, the excessive use of agrochemicals in its cultivation has generated negative effects on the environment and on human and animal health. Therefore, alternatives are being sought to reduce these effects, such as plant biostimulant microorganisms. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of Trichoderma harzianum, Bacillus subtilis, and Azospirillum brasilense as biostimulants on quality and yield parameters of greenhouse-grown cherry tomato. A completely randomized experimental design with five treatments and 44 replicates per treatment was used: T1 = 100% chemical fertilizer (CF); T2 = 50% CF + T. harzianum; T3 = 50% CF + B. subtilis; T4 = 50% CF + A. brasilense; and T5 = 50% CF + consortium (T. harzianum, B. subtilis, and A. brasilense). Morphological and physicochemical variables, as well as bioactive compounds of the fruit, were evaluated. The results were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s test (p < 0.05) using STATISTICA v. 12.0 for Windows. Statistical analysis showed significant differences among treatments, with plants in Treatment 4 (50% CF + A. brasilense) exhibiting the highest values for bunch weight, fruit weight, equatorial and polar diameter, total soluble solids (TSS), vitamin C, lycopene, β-carotene, color, and yield. These results suggest that inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense combined with a reduced dose of chemical fertilizer may represent an alternative strategy to increase the quality and yield of cherry tomato under greenhouse conditions.
2026-02-28
Sandy Esther Celis-Perera, Jairo Cristóbal-Alejo, Irma Leticia Medina-Baizabal, Marcela Gamboa-Angulo
Population growth demands an increased food supply. Therefore, there is a need to develop alternatives to synthetic fungicides with low environmental impact for controlling diseases in agricultural crops. The genus Trichoderma is widely reported as a beneficial microorganism in agriculture and as a biological control strategy against phytopathogenic fungi. The fungus T. asperellum biosynthesises metabolites that are utilized by plants to stimulate growth or to tolerate pathogen attacks. In accordance with the above, this study aimed to compile information on the volatile and non-volatile metabolites reported for T. asperellum with potential use to control fungal diseases on agricultural crops. A database was compiled from articles and patents published between 2014 and 2024 in four public and two commercial databases. Records for ‘Trichoderma’ and ‘ Trichoderma asperellum’ regarding extract type, metabolite, activity, and isolation site indicated a total of 702 metabolites from T. asperellum. A total of 622 volatile metabolites were produced by twelve strains, one of which, 6-pentyl-α-pyron, has been reported to promote plant growth and exhibit significant antifungal activity. In addition, 80 non-volatile metabolites of dif ferent chemical nature were detected in nine strains of T. asperellum, with activity against phytopathogenic fungi. Among the patents, seven relate to the individual use of T. asperellum for the production of metabolites for agricultural purposes. To continue with complementary studies, such as stability, mechanism of action, and toxicity, the active ingredients in the extracts should be purified and identified. The extracts and metabolites secreted by T. asperellum could provide an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic fungicides for controlling fungal diseases in crops.
2026-02-28
Judith A. Sánchez-Ledesma, Erika Nava-Reyna, Cristina García-De La Peña, Irene Pacheco-Torres, Porfirio Juárez-López
Microorganisms are fundamental for preserving plant health and productivity, thus knowledge of their composition and metabolism in a particular agroecosystem could be used as a tool to sustainably improve or maintain crop performance. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the bacterial core and its functional characteristics in the rhizosphere of Carya illinoinensis. This study was carried out in the arid north of Mexico (Viesca, Coahuila) in 2022 in an orchard of 20-25-year-old young trees, with a nut production per tree of 20-22 kg. Sampling was carried out at five points in the orchard: the four corners and the center. Metagenomic analyses of the 16S rRNA gene were performed to determine the taxonomic composition of the microbial species. In addition, functional predictions were made using Phylogenetic Community Research by Reconstruction of Unobserved States (PICRUSt) to estimate gene abundance within metabolic pathways. The ASVs of the bacterial population of the studied orchard were classified into 60 phyla, 130 classes, 392 orders, 40 families, 40 genera, and 1766 species. Proteobacteria, Acidobacteriota, and Actinobacteriota were the most abundant phyla. At the genus level, Pararheinheimera (X̅=5.5%) and two unknown genera of the Thermoanaerobaculia class (X̅=3.2% and X̅=2.7%, respectively) were the main taxa. In addition, glucose oxidation, phospholipase, and L-rhamnose production were the main metabolic pathways associated with the bacterial community, which confer plant growth-promoting properties and crop resilience under biotic and abiotic stress conditions. Thus, knowledge of the local bacteriome is a tool to propose the appropriate agronomic management to exploit the potential of key taxa to promote plant growth or isolate specific strains for the generation of biofertilizers.
2026-01-31
Sarahi Yamilet Hurtado Rodríguez, Yakin Acosta-García, María Eugenia Bahena-Galindo, Alejandro García-Flores, Eunice Madai Díaz-González, Ramón Carlos Bustamante-Ramírez, Denisse Acosta-Peñaloza
The modifications in land use and vegetation resulting from human activities are evident at both local and global scales. The primary consequences include biodiversity loss and a decline in the quality and quantity of ecosystem services. In this context, anthropogenic activities such as agriculture negatively impact ecosystems and their components, with soil being one of the most af fected resources. Therefore, a detailed study of the dynamics of these modifications constitutes a valuable tool for land management, enabling the identification of specific areas where conservation and restoration strategies can be developed. The objective of this study was to assess land use and vegetation change dynamics over a 27-year period, as well as variations in soil properties over a 40-year period in the municipality of Jiutepec, Morelos. Geographic Information Systems were used to generate vector data on land use and vegetation for the years 1995 and 2022. A simplified change matrix was constructed, and the change rate and deforestation rate were calculated. A total of 16 land use categories were identified for 1995 and 17 for 2022. The most significant changes in Jiutepec included an increase in urban areas of approximately 1136.27 ha. Regarding the deforestation rate, the most af fected categories were conserved and disturbed tropical dry forest. In the determination of soil properties, some properties currently evaluated (2023) remain within the ranges reported in the past (1983).