El queso es un alimento importante en la cocina mexicana, el consumo per cápita en México es de 6 kg; sin embargo, puede transportar numerosos hongos dañinos para las personas, como micotoxigénicos. El objetivo del trabajo fue evaluar la microbiota fúngica presente en los quesos artesanales del mercado abierto en Saltillo, Coahuila, México, se obtuvieron cinco tipos de quesos por semana de diferentes orígenes; uno de Saltillo, dos del general Cepeda (A y B), uno de Mazapil, Zacatecas y uno de Ciudad Fernández, San Luis Potosí. Cada queso se cortó en tres niveles (réplicas), y se tomó una muestra de 1 cm en el norte, sur, este, oeste y centro del queso, con cuatro réplicas, que se colocaron en placas de Petri con medio de cultivo PDA mantenido a 25 °C ± 2 °C durante 120 h. Los hongos se identificaron utilizando la técnica de Medina y colaboradores. Geotrichum candidum, Fusarium verticillioides, Rhizopus nigricans, Cladosporium sp. y Penicillium sp. fueron identificados morfológicamente, con una incidencia entre 0 y 100%. Fusarium verticillioides y Penicillium sp. son hongos toxigénicos, y Geotrichum candidum causa infección en los bronquios, pulmones y membranas mucosas, llamada geotricosis, por lo que es importante implementar medidas de calidad para garantizar la producción segura de quesos para el consumo humano.

The objective of the research was to evaluate the effect of relative humidity (RH) and moisture content (MC) on the incidence of pathogenic fungi on the seeds of Agave lechuguilla, Lippia graveolens, and Nolina cespitifera. Seeds were stored 90 days at 60, 75, 80, and 85% RH, and results were processed with a correlation analysis in the R software using the Spearman test. Higher fungi incidence (FI) in seeds was found from 10 to 20% RH; however, correlation between RH and MC of seeds was positive with r = 0.311 and $p=2.2\times {10}^{-16}$ . In general, RH is related to MC, but not to fungi incidence, which is related mainly to MC of seeds. Correlation between RH and FI for each seed species was not significant, r = 0.026, −0.040, and 0.071 and $p=0.687$ , 0.540, and 0.272 for A. lechuguilla, N. cespitifera, and L. graveolens, respectively. There was a positive correlation between the MC of seeds with fungi incidence; a negative correlation between the RH and the FI; and a positive correlation between the RH and the MC of seeds. In this type of seeds (orthodox), the MC is probably the most important factor in determining its longevity. The seeds under study can be stored in a 60% to 75% RH. Five fungi genera were found, predominating Aspergillus with five identified species.

The objective of this research was the morphomolecular identification of species of the genus Fusarium associated with native and commercial maize genotypes in municipalities of Puebla and Morelos, Mexico, as well as to describe the socioeconomic and cultural importance of maize cultivation. Fusarium species were isolated from grains and stem cuttings with purple, brown, and dark brown pigmentations. They were identified morphomolecularly by using taxonomic keys and the Dinocapture 2.0 software, and by DNA extraction by the CTAB method and amplification of the ITS1 and ITS4 region by PCR. Four species were identified: Fusarium equiseti, Fusarium verticillioides, Fusarium incarnatum and Fusarium napiforme with an identity greater than 98%. The genotypes with the highest incidence of Fusarium spp. were: Pioneer 30F35 in San Miguel, Teotlalco, Puebla by F. verticillioides (A2). The genotypes with the lowest incidence were: Shark from Tetelilla, Morelos by F. incarnatum (A1), F. verticillioides (A6) and F. napiforme (A7). Maize is the main food in many locations in Mexico, however, due to the high consumption of this grain and its derivatives, as well as the high consumption of meat presumably fed with this grain, it could represent a route of ingestion of mycotoxins.

Presencia de Diatraea saccharalis (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) en Tepalcingo, Morelos, México, con evaluación del daño causado en el cultivo de maíz ( Zea mays L.)

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of different doses of paraffinic oil (SAT-T-SIDE®) and to assess the population fluctuation of the sugarcane aphid (Melanaphis sacchari) during sorghum crop development. Design/methodology/approach: Two experiments were conducted, one under field conditions and the other in a greenhouse. In both experiments, a randomized complete block design with eight treatments and four replications was used. Winged adults were counted. In addition, a pre-evaluation was carried out five days prior to treatment application. After application, the number of insects per plant was recorded, and the biological effectiveness of the treatments was also evaluated. Data were analyzed using the SAS statistical package, and a Tukey mean comparison test (α ≤ 0.05) was performed as a complementary analysis. Results: Treatment application resulted in effective pest control, exceeding 80% under field conditions and 90% under greenhouse conditions, with higher effectiveness observed under controlled environments. The highest dose of Saf-T-Side® applied in both field and greenhouse experiments was the most effective for controlling the sugarcane aphid. Study limitations/implications: The use of paraffinic oil represents a viable alternative for the management of the sugarcane aphid; however, its efficiency is lower than that of conventional chemical control. Findings/conclusions: Adult populations of Melanaphis sacchari showed higher incidence after the first 60 days of crop development. The high dose of Saf-T-Side® was the most effective treatment for controlling the sorghum aphid.

The objective of this research was to identify the insects associated with damage to acahual plants. During August and September 2024, sampling was carried out in Tepalcingo, Morelos, and Iguala de la Independencia, Guerrero, Mexico, on acahual plants (Tithonia tubaeformis) with signs of defoliation. Plant structures and whole plants were collected, as well as adult insects associated with the damage, which were preserved in 70% ethanol. Weed identification was carried out through morphological comparisons with CONABIO; insect identification was performed through morphological comparison and stereoscopic microscopy. For this purpose, one specimen per collection site was mounted separately on sample slides, where they were coated with graphite, for observation with a JEOL IT300-LV SEM stereomicroscope, equipped with a Quantax EDS detector: Xflash 6|30. The morphological characteristics of the plants allowed the identification of the species Tithonia tubaeformis (Asteraceae), and regarding the insect, Calligrapha (Zygogramma) signatipennis (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) was identified, whose damage to Tithonia tubaeformis was moderate to severe in some plants. This damage was specific to this species, suggesting that Calligrapha (Zygogramma) signatipennis could have potential as a biological control agent for the management of Tithonia tubaeformis. It is worth noting that this species has a greater feeding preference for acahual plants that are in the vegetative stage, where it can cause good control of this weed.