Cocoa tree plantations aim to harvest grains found in the cob to produce cocoa and chocolate. There has been a growing interest in valorizing the secondary components of the cocoa fruit, such as the peel, placenta, and mucilage/pulp, as valuable sources of nutrients for healthy food preparation. In other words, by-products derived from these raw materials are an exploitable source of nutrients in the preparation of healthy food. In the present study, two varieties of cocoa, National Cocoa Fino de Aroma (NCFA) and Colección Castro Naranjal 51 (CCN-51), were evaluated and harvested during both dry and rainy seasons. This evaluation was based on the profiling of the cob, peel, grain, placenta, and mucilage in different stages of ripeness (underripe, ripe, and overripe). Also, from the ripe raw material, a fermented beverage prototype was developed, such as kombucha, with different concentrations of mucilage (40, 60, 80, and 100 g/L). Physicochemical analyses, such as acidity, °Brix, pH, moisture, ash, protein, fat, fiber, vitamins, sugars, and polyphenols of the raw mucilage material and acidity, °Brix, and pH values of the fermented kombucha, were carried out. The best performances were obtained with the CCN-51 variety in the rainy season. Among the fermented drink panelists, the CN40 treatment (Nacional Mucilage + 40 g/L of sugar) received the highest acceptability and was considered the best. Given its efficiency, nutritional content, and potential applications, this product presents a promising strategy to address Sustainable Development Goals related to zero hunger, health and well-being, and climate action.

The production of Musa spp. AAA (banana) generates significant foreign exchange globally. For this reason, its cultivation requires tools that ensure healthy and robust plants from the early stages of development. This research aimed to evaluate the ef fect of Bacillus spp. and Trichoderma spp. on the development of banana seedlings (Musa spp. AAA) in the nursery stage. The study was conducted at Quinta Herrera, located at km 23.2 of the Quevedo – Ventanas road. Species of Trichoderma isolated from the Microbiology Laboratory at the Technical State University of Quevedo and microorganisms from two commercial products were studied. The treatments applied at the soil level were: T1: T. asperellum, T2: T. yunnanense, T3: T. asperellum + T. yunnanense, T4: B. subtilis, T5: T. harzianum, T6: B. subtilis + T. harzianum, andT7: Absolute control. The trials were set up using a completely random design. The results showed that, with the combined application of B. subtilis + T. harzianum, the banana seedlings experienced significantly greater growth compared to the other treatments, with an average of 17.54 cm af ter 6 weeks of evaluation, and a pseudostem thickness of 12.50 mm during this period. Leaf emission was similar across all treatments; however, the development of the leaf area was greater in T6, which reached 1517.52 cm² at 20 weeks of seedling age. Finally, the combined application of the two native Trichoderma strains resulted in greater root development, with longer roots (32.93 cm) and consequently higher fresh and dry root weight, with averages of 367.93 g and 145.84 g, respectively. In conclusion, T6 (B. subtilis + T. harzianum) is recommended for improving the development of banana seedlings in the early or vegetative phenological stage under greenhouse conditions.

Objective: To determine the effect of the application of native Trichoderma strains on the infection caused by Moniliophthora roreri in Theobroma cacao. Theoretical Framework: Cacao has global importance due to its direct relation to chocolate production. Each year, in various countries, cacao cultivation faces issues such as moniliasis (Moniliophthora roreri), which reduces crop yields. Traditional disease control methods are ineffective, necessitating new alternatives, such as the application of Trichoderma spp. Method: The antagonistic capacity of forty native endophyte Trichoderma isolates against M. roreri was evaluated. The ten best-performing strains were sprayed on healthy cacao pods. The number of pods affected by moniliasis, healthy pods, and the internal and external severity of infected pods were assessed. Results and Discussion: 32.5% of the Trichoderma strains inhibited more than 90% of the radial growth of M. roreri. All Trichoderma isolates showed high antagonistic activity. The evaluated isolates increased the number of healthy pods, while six strains reduced moniliasis by up to 35%. The severity of M. roreri was lower in treated pods compared to the untreated control pods. Research Implications: The study results highlight the need for continued evaluation of Trichoderma strains to develop a future tool for reducing M. roreri infections in plantations of small and medium-sized farmers. Originality/Value: Few studies on local endophytic strains of Trichoderma spp. have been conducted in the study area.

In Ecuador, Phytophthora palmivora is an important pathogen af fecting the cultivation of Theobroma cacao. The survival of this microorganism depends largely on its ability to reproduce in pods lef t on the soil. This study evaluated fourteen native isolates of Trichoderma spp. with the aim of reducing the pathogen’s survival and thereby decreasing the potential inoculum present in the soil. The research was conducted in the Microbiology area of the Rumiología laboratory at the Universidad Técnica Estatal de Quevedo (Ecuador). Trichoderma and P. palmivora strains were obtained from institutional collections and cultured on Potato Dextrose Agar and V8 Juice Agar media, respectively. Dual cultures of biocontrol agents and the pathogen were performed to calculate the pathogen’s growth inhibition percentage. Additionally, the isolates were classified according to their antagonistic activity using standard scales. The two best-performing biocontrol strains were selected to conduct pod assays to evaluate their ef fect on infection and reproduction of artificially inoculated P. palmivora. Moreover, the impact of these strains on the reproductive capacity of the pathogen was assessed in naturally infected pods. Strains TR8-N and TR19-N demonstrated superior results, exhibiting over 90% inhibition and high antagonistic capacity. Microscopic observations revealed alterations in pathogen hyphae and evidence of mycoparasitism. In pod assays, those treated with TR8-N showed no symptoms following artificial pathogen inoculation. Both TR19-N and TR8-N reduced pathogen inoculum production on the surface of naturally infected pods. These results indicate that at least two native isolates evaluated could be applied on af fected pods to reduce pathogen inoculum in cacao cultivation soils.

The cocoa crop (Theobroma cacao) is constantly affected by diseases that can considerably compromise its production, among them moniliasis (Moniliophthora roreri). The search for alternative control measures to reduce its presence in the field is imperative; therefore, the objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of Euphorbia hirta extract on M. roreri, a cocoa pathogen. The study consisted of two phases: in vitro and in vivo in the field. The in vitro experiment was established under a completely randomized design with treatments using different concentrations of the extract (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 6, 7, 8, and 9%) to modify the culture medium and control (T0). Spore germination and mycelial growth of M. roreri were evaluated. The results revealed that milky extract (E. hirta) at a concentration of 9% v/v inhibited 100% of spore germination and 79.78% of mycelial growth. In the field trial, a completely randomized block design was used where three treatments were applied to the fruit (less than three months old) and a control: E. hirta extract with concentrations of 10% (T1) and 5% (T2), a chemical control based on copper oxide (T3) and the control (T0).

Este libro explora el efecto de Trichoderma spp. en la germinación y el desarrollo inicial de plántulas de Tectona grandis (teca), una especie forestal de alto valor económico. A través de un enfoque experimental, se analiza el potencial del hongo como bioestimulante del crecimiento vegetal, evaluando indicadores como la tasa de germinación, altura de plántula y desarrollo radicular. Los resultados aportan información valiosa para prácticas sostenibles en viveros forestales y promueven el uso de microorganismos benéficos en la producción de especies maderables.