Biocontrol has emerged as an effective strategy for managing plant pathogens and pests. The use of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) as biocontrol agents offers a sustainable alternative, enhancing plant morphology, biochemistry, physiology, and secondary metabolism. This study conducts a bibliometric analysis and systematic review of PGPR-based biocontrol research from 2019 to 2023, using the Web of Science (WoS) database. A total of 2823 publications were identified, with a significant increase in scientific output since 2019. Original research articles dominated the field, with India, China, the USA, and Pakistan leading in publication volume. Key contributors included Babalola (North-West University, South Africa), Kloepper (Auburn University, USA), and Shen (Nanjing Agricultural University, China), each with at least 25 publications. Co-authorship analysis revealed four major research networks centered in India, China, Brazil, and Canada. Bacillus and Pseudomonas were the most studied PGPR genera, recognized for their roles as bioinoculants, bioremediators, and biostimulants, mitigating the negative impacts of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. This analysis underscores the growing global focus on PGPR-based biocontrol and its potential for sustainable agriculture. Strengthening international collaboration and accelerating applied research on PGPR formulations will be critical for optimizing their efficacy and scalability in real-world agricultural systems.

A variety of research reports that compost tea controls plant pathogens and improves plant nutrition and plant growth. Therefore, it can be used to reduce the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. The aim of the study was to characterize and quantify the scientific production in the SCOPUS database on compost tea using bibliometric indicators. A total of 285 published papers related to compost tea were identified. The results show a general increasing trend from 2001 to 2023, with the highest number of publications occurring in 2021. Most of the publications were in the form of original articles, and English was the main language of publication. The top 10 countries with the highest scientific productivity were the United States, Egypt, Spain, Canada, Italy, India, China, Australia, Iran and Malaysia. Zaccardelli, M. and Pane, C. were the authors with the highest productivity with nine articles. In the co-authorship networks, two main networks were registered: the first with Diáñez F., together with Gea F. J., Navarro M.Y. and Santo M., and the second with Zaccardelli M., Celono G., and Pane C. Therefore, the need to adapt more resilient agricultural production systems allows for the consideration of compost tea as an alternative to mitigate environmental problems and soil degradation.

The vermicompost is used as a source of nutrients and substrate in protected horticulture because it promotes crop production more sustainable. The objective was to evaluate different proportions of vermicompost: sand (VC:S, v:v) on quality and yield of jalapeño pepper produced in greenhouse environments. Five proportions were compared VC:S, 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4, 1:5 and a control: (Steiner nutrient solution). The experiment was established in a randomized blocks design with ten replications. On average ratio, VC:S (1:1) produce highest fruit weight, fruit length, total phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and antioxidant capacity against to control treatment (0:1 VC:S). Those results indicate that VC is a fertilization alternative to increase nutraceutical fruit quality, without decrease the jalapeño pepper yield.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the foliar application of copper oxide nanoparticles (NPs-CuO) on the phytochemical quality, yield, catalase and peroxidase activity of the hydroponic lettuce crop. Five concentrations (5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 mg/L) of NPs-CuO and a control (0 mg/L) were compared. The experiment was established in a completely randomized design with five repetitions. Data were analyzed with analysis of variance and mean comparisons using Tukey's test (0.05). The results indicate that, under the hydroponic conditions, the lettuce plants showed a greater number of leaves, leaf width and the peroxidase enzyme activity was recorded with the concentration of 15 mg/L NPs-CuO. The concentration of 10 mg/L of NPs-CuO yielded higher contents of total phenols, total flavonoids and antioxidant capacity, being 46.63, 34.21 and 28.23% higher compared to the control treatment, respectively. Regarding the concentration of Cu in the lettuce leaf, the 20 mg/L treatment showed the highest concentration with a value of 9.93±2.40 µg/L DW. The use of copper nanoparticles could be an effective alternative to mitigate copper deficiency in the diet of the human population.

El empleo de microorganismos benéficos y la aplicación de compost líquido enriquecido con silicio constituyen prácticas agroecológicas sostenibles en el cultivo del arroz (Oryza sativa). El objetivo de la presente investigación fue evaluar el efecto de prácticas agroecológicas y empleo del silicio en las variables días a floración y porcentaje de esterilidad de la panícula en el cultivo de arroz INIAP-14 en suelo franco arcilloso, en la Universidad Técnica Estatal de Quevedo (UTEQ), Ecuador. Los tratamientos evaluados consistieron T1= control sin aplicación; T2= insecticida Buf fago® (0.5 L ha-1); T3= Azotobacter chroococum, cepa Ag, a 1×109 UFC mL-1; T4= compost líquido enriquecida con silicato de potasio (K4SiO4) (10 L ha-1); T5= Metarhizium anisopliae, cepa 45 (1.2 L ha-1) y T6= combinación de A. chroococum + compost líquido enriquecida con K4SiO4 y M. anisopliae, en un diseño completamente aleatorizado con cuatro repeticiones. El análisis de varianza demostró diferencias significativas tanto para los días a floración y el porcentaje de esterilidad de la panícula. Los resultados mostraron que el tratamiento T6 presentó los menores valores significativos en días a floración (72.8 días) y porcentaje de esterilidad de la panícula (9.0%) de acuerdo a la prueba de Scott y Knott. Se encontró relación no lineal sigmoidal por el modelo de Hill entre los días a floración y el porcentaje de esterilidad de la panícula lo que indica que para ese cultivar y en esas condiciones edafoclimáticas el alargamiento de los días a floración incrementa el porcentaje de esterilidad de la panícula, lo que sugiere que la aplicación de A. chroococum + compost líquido enriquecida con K4SiO4 y M. anisopliae podrían ser efectiva para disminuir el porcentaje de esterilidad de la panícula de arroz por ende incrementar el rendimiento del cultivo desarrollado con bioinsumos aceptados en las prácticas agroecológicas.

The humic substances are an alternative to reduce excessive doses of fertilizers in cultivated species. The objective was to evaluate the effect of levels of electrical conductivity (EC) of the nutrient solution and doses of humic acids (HA) on the yield and quality of chili fruits (Capsicum annuum L.). The design was completely randomized with a bifactorial arrangement with 12 treatments and 15 replications. The factor one was the levels of EC of nutrient solutions (1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 dS·m^-1); the factor two was the doses of HA (0, 2.5, 3.75, and 5.0 mL·L^-1). The yield, length, equatorial diameter, epicarp thickness, firmness, weight, and number of fruits were evaluated. The nutraceutical quality was also evaluated (total phenols, capsaicin, antioxidant capacity and total flavonoids). The results showed that the yield, length, equatorial diameter, weight, and number of fruits showed differences between EC, while, yield, length, thickness of the pericarp, weight and number of fruits showed differences for HA. The fruit firmness showed differences in the interaction EC×HA. Most of the variables showed higher values in 1.0 dS·m^-1 of EC and 2.5 of HA; the firmness was higher in 2.0 dS·m^-1 of EC and 3.75 mL·L^-1 of HA. The content of phenols, flavonoids, antioxidants, and capsaicin showed differences between EC, while flavonoids did not show differences for HA. The four variables showed differences in the interaction of the factors, with increases of 1.0 and 1.5 dS·m^-1 of EC and 5.0 mL·L^-1 of HA. The HA are an alternative to increase the yield of chili fruits and their nutraceutical quality.