Agricultural mulches from plant waste constitute an ecological alternative due to their capacity to biodegrade and incorporate into the soil. This work aimed at evaluating, during a drought, the effects of a mat mulch, based on banana rachis and rice straw, on bell pepper (Capsicum annuum) production, and to characterize the material, both mechanically (traction resistance) and physical-chemically (water retention capacity, organic and inorganic components). Two contrasting irrigation regimes were used to determine the effect of the mat mulch on edaphic and productive parameters such as plant height, basal stem diameter, number of fruits and flowers, harvest, plant biomass, macro- and micronutrients in leaves, weeds/m², and soil temperature. Treatments with the mat mulch resulted in increased height, number of fruits and flowers, biomass, and P, Zn and Cu concentrations. The mat mulch contributes to soil water retention, improves pepper agronomic variables response in plant’s height, basal stem diameter, and the number of flowers and fruits, especially with a low water irrigation regime. Furthermore, a 95% reduction in weed/m², and soil temperature (18 °C) compared to air temperature (26.8 °C) was found. The characteristics of the waste-based mat mulch in soils offer new possibilities for environmentally friendly, efficient, and sustainable agricultural practices.

Phytopathogenic nematodes are a threat for agriculture, they cause plant diseases and economic losses worldwide. Currently, the pursuit of compounds of biological origin for nematode biocontrol has become a priority as an environmentally friendly alternative. Microorganisms-derived compounds have several strategies to reduce the populations of infectious juvenile nematodes. Although microorganisms and their metabolites are the focus of literature reports reviews on nematicidal control, interactions between fungi, bacteria, and nematodes, as well as the compounds that are generated in such interactions, are not highlighted. The aim of this review was to discuss the latest advances on chemical compounds secreted by microorganisms and their interaction mechanisms for biological control of phytopathogenic nematodes. Results were organized based on: i) mode of action, ii) infection process, iii) nematicide compounds, iv) interactions and field applications, and v) current challenges. The scope of this review contributes to a better comprehension of the versatility of bacterial and fungal compounds for their use in the development of management plans for nematode control.

This study analyzes the socioeconomic dynamics and land-use practices of small-scale Shuar farmers in Taisha, Tuutinentsa, and Macuma, in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Based on surveys of 43 cacao producing households, we analyzed perceptions of well-being, land allocation, and livelihood diversification. Households typically include five to six members and rely on diversified portfolios combining cacao (Theobroma cacao L.), peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.), plantain (Musa × paradisiaca L.), livestock, forest, and off-farm activities. Gendered labor divisions are present: men are more involved in marketed production and commercialization, while women play central roles in chakra-based agroforestry management, food provisioning, and household economies that reduce cash expenditures and strengthen food sovereignty. Average farm sizes range from 31 to 40 hectares, with forest and pasture, with smaller areas allocated to perennial and short-cycle crops. These patterns reflect multifunctional strategies balancing income generation, risk management, cultural continuity, and environmental stewardship rather than single-crop optimization. Agriculture and livestock constitute the main income sources in Taisha and Tuutinentsa, whereas Macuma exhibits greater economic diversification due to proximity to urban markets. High transportation costs and limited infrastructure constrain profitability. Reported cacao yields are lower than provincial and national averages; however, chakra-based systems prioritize multiple outputs beyond yield, including food security, ecosystem services, and cultural values. Opportunity cost analysis suggests higher short-term returns for peanuts, while cacao remains central due to its larger cultivated area. These findings highlight the complexity of Indigenous agriculture and the need for culturally grounded development policies aligned with socio-ecological realities.