The study of microorganisms associated with tropical plant species, particularly fungi, has garnered significant interest due to their potential applications in biological control and the synthesis of pharmacologically active compounds. This research aimed to identify and characterize the endophytic fungal communities associated with cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) fruits across three municipalities in the Orellana province, located within the Ecuadorian Amazon. Fungi were isolated directly from cocoa fruits and analyzed through comprehensive cultural, morphological, and molecular analyses. The diversity of fungal taxa was evaluated using metrics of relative abundance and species richness. A total of 464 fungal isolates were obtained, representing 56 distinct morphotypes and 14 genera within the phylum Ascomycota. The most abundant genera included Penicillium sp. (27.8%), Epicoccum sp. (20.5%), Lasiodiplodia sp. (10.1%), Trichoderma sp. (9.91%), and Fusarium sp. (9.70%). Notably, in the municipality of La Joya de los Sachas, a higher number of endophytic fungi was observed, encompassing 14 genera. This study provides critical insights into the diversity and distribution of fungal communities associated with cocoa fruits in the northern Ecuadorian Amazon. These findings have important implications for the management of cocoa diseases and the discovery of novel bioactive compounds. Future investigations should explore the functional roles of these fungi, particularly their potential as biocontrol agents or sources of novel pharmaceuticals. Furthermore, examining the effects of environmental variables and agricultural practices on cocoa fruit mycobiota may contribute to a deeper understanding of the ecological dynamics within this system.

Strawberry crown rot is one of the most important diseases in Ecuador, with an incidence of up to 70% in the field. In the world, the strawberry crown rot is caused by different etiological agents, which makes efficient control of the disease difficult. In this study, 12 samples of strawberry plants were collected, at different stages of disease development, to determine the causative agent in Ecuador. The fungal isolates, consistent with the isolation, were identified and characterized using molecular and morphological approaches, and finally, Koch's postulate was carried out. Based on the form of growth, mycelial color, conidial morphology, and molecular characteristics (sequencing of the ITS and EF-1α region), the pathogen associated with the symptoms showed 99% similarity with the species Neopestalotiopsis mesopotamica. The result of Koch's postulates showed symptoms similar to those observed in field plants, in addition, the same inoculated isolate was recovered from artificially inoculated tissues. This is the first report of this fungus causing strawberry crown rot in Ecuador and in the world.

In January 2018, eucalyptus trees showing wilt symptoms were identified in a commercial plantation located in the Quevedo Cantón, Los Ríos province, Ecuador. Disease incidence reached 40% of the eu...

Los extractos botánicos son ampliamente usados para el control de plagas en la agricultura, sin embargo, muy poco se conoce sobre su efecto en el control del pulgón verde (Myzus persicae) y mosca blanca (Bemisia tabaci). M. persicae y B. tabaci son especies altamente perjudiciales para el cultivo de pimiento debido al hábito chupador que poseen y por ser vectores de enfermedades. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto insecticida de extractos de ruda (Ruta graveolens), cebolla (Allium cepa), f lor de muerto (Tagetes sp.) y menta (Mentha pulegium) como alternativa ecológica para el control del pulgón verde y mosca blanca en el cultivo de pimiento. Plántulas de pimiento fueron trasplantadas en campo y distribuidas utilizando el diseño de bloques al azar con cinco tratamientos (T1: extracto de ruda; T2: extracto de cebolla; T3: extracto de f lor de muerto; T4: extracto de menta; T5: testigo (Imidacloprid) y tres repeticiones. Los parámetros evaluados fueron: porcentaje de incidencia, densidad y f luctuación poblacional de M. persicae y B. tabaci en el cultivo de pimiento, así como, su efecto en las variables agronómicas y productivas. El uso de extractos botánicos de ruda, cebolla, f lor de muerto y menta redujeron la incidencia y densidad poblacional de M. persicae y B. tabaci en el cultivo de pimiento, sin embargo, la acción insecticida de ruda y f lor de muerto fueron signif icativamente más evidentes para B. tabaci (P < 0.05). La f luctuación poblacional de M. persicae y B. tabaci fue alterada al utilizar extractos botánicos. La aplicación de extractos de ruda, cebolla, f lor de muerto y menta no inf luyó en el peso y diámetro del fruto o en el rendimiento del cultivo (P > 0.05); por lo que su uso debe ser considerado en los programas de manejo y control agroecológico de estas plagas.

The nematode attacks affect several plant species of Ecuadorian crops. There are fungi and plants with nematicide ability that have agricultural interest. This study assessed the effect of five concentrations of aqueous extracts of Pleurotus ostreatus and Tagetes minuta on the mortality of Meloidogyne spp. and Panagrellus redivivus nematodes in a laboratory setting. The aqueous extracts were obtained through hydro distillation where concentrations of 0%, 0.5%, 5%, 25%, 50% and 100% were prepared. A wholly randomized single-factor design was used for the P. ostreatus extract and a bifactorial for the T. minuta extract (leaves and flowers). The number of dead individuals was evaluated, and the efficacy and LC50 were determined. T. minuta leaf extract showcased higher nematicide activity against P. redivivus with an LC50 of 8.03 ppm; when applied to Meloidogyne sp., the extract showed nematicide activity with an LC50 of 0.01 ppm. For P. ostreatus extract, the greatest nematicide activity against P. redivivus was an LC50 of 1.22 ppm and nematicide activity against Meloidogyne sp., was an LC50 of 0.01 ppm. The aqueous extract of T. minuta flowers showed low nematicide activity and the aqueous extract of T. minuta leaf showed the best nematicide activity. Keywords: nematicide; Tagetes minuta; Pleurotus ostreatus; Panagrellus redivivus; Meloidogyne sp.

The nematode attacks affect several plant species of Ecuadorian crops. Fungi and plants with nematicide ability are of agricultural interest. This study assessed the effect of five concentrations of aqueous extracts of Pleurotus ostreatus and Tagetes minuta on the mortality of Meloidogyne spp. and Panagrellus redivivus nematodes in a laboratory setting. The aqueous extracts were obtained through hydro distillation where concentrations of 0%, 0.5%, 5%, 25%, 50% and 100% were prepared. A wholly randomized single-factor design was used for the P. ostreatus extract and a bifactorial for the T. minuta extract (leaves and flowers). The number of dead individuals was evaluated, and the efficacy and LC50 were determined. T. minuta leaf extract showcased higher nematicide activity against P. redivivus with an LC50 of 8.03 ppm; when applied to Meloidogyne sp., the extract showed nematicide activity with an LC50 of 0.01 ppm. For P. ostreatus extract, the greatest nematicide activity against P. redivivus was an LC50 of 1.22 ppm and nematicide activity against Meloidogyne sp., was an LC50 of 0.01 ppm. The aqueous extract of T. minuta flowers showed low nematicide activity and the aqueous extract of T. minuta leaf showed the best nematicide activity. Keywords: nematicide; Tagetes minuta; Pleurotus ostreatus; Panagrellus redivivus; Meloidogyne sp.