Chitosan (CS) is a natural polymer used in agriculture as a biostimulant that has been evaluated in different plant models. In this study, we evaluated the effect of the foliar application of chitosan–poly(acrylic acid) complexes (CS–PAA) and two nutrient solutions (A and B) on the parameters of growth and yield of two habanero pepper cultivars (Chichen Itza and Jaguar) in a greenhouse. Over the course of the experiment, eight foliar applications were carried out at 15-day intervals. Our results showed that foliar applications of CS–PAA complexes have a biostimulant effect on the habanero pepper crop by increasing the total dry biomass of the plant and the number of fruits of the two cultivars. Regarding nutrient solutions, the nutrient solution A increased the yield of the Chichen Itza cultivar; this effect was because it had a better balance of potassium and calcium compared to the nutrient solution B. These results provide advances on the use of CS–PAA complexes as a biostimulant and the management of nutrient solutions in the crop of habanero peppers.

The use of organic sources presents itself as a viable alternative to mitigate the excessive reliance on chemical fertilizers in agricultural practices. However, in the realm of pineapple cultivation, research exploring the synergy between chemical and organic fertilizers remains scarce. In this context, the objective of this research was to evaluate the impact of the combination of chemical and organic fertilizers on the growth and yield of the MD-2 pineapple cultivar under two shade net conditions (installed 45 and 250 days after planting). The experiment was conducted in a split-plot design, with the main plot being the shade net conditions and the sub-plots the five fertilization treatments, which were applied 18 times via drip irrigation (control, 100% chemical fertilization, 50% reduced chemical fertilization, organic fertilization, and a combination of 50% chemical fertilization with organic fertilization). The results showed that the early installation of shade netting 45 days after planting decreases the growth and yield of pineapple; thus, the use of shade netting at this age is not recommended. Regarding fertilization, the combination of 50% chemical fertilization with organic fertilization showed similar growth and yield values compared to 100% conventional chemical fertilization under both shade net conditions. Furthermore, this combination presented similar nitrate and potassium values in the plant and did not negatively affect malic acid content. Therefore, the use of organic fertilizers in pineapple cultivation is a promising strategy to reduce the excessive use of chemical fertilizers, and it could also improve soil fertility.

Heritability ( h ² ) is a key parameter in animal breeding, but its magnitude and consistency across pure‐bred (PB) and cross‐bred (CB) pig populations remain poorly understood. This study aimed to compare heritability estimates between PB and CB populations for economically relevant traits through a systematic review and meta‐analysis. A total of 28 studies (75 independent h ² estimates) were identified through searches in PubMed, Mendeley, Springer, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar (2000–2024). Multilevel random‐effects models with logit transformation were applied. Traits were grouped into reproductive, growth, conformation and carcass categories. Reproductive traits showed low heritability (e.g., litter size: 0.06 in PB and 0.20 in CB; number born alive [NBA]: 0.07 in CB), whereas growth and carcass traits exhibited moderate values (e.g., average daily gain: 0.21 in PB and 0.31 in CB; intramuscular fat: 0.31 in PB and 0.29 in CB; pH: 0.23–0.26). Meta‐regression did not detect a significant effect of population type ( β = 0.124, p = 0.630), whereas studies accounting for non‐additive genetic effects showed significantly different heritability estimates (QM = 4.35, p = 0.037), and high heterogeneity was observed across traits ( I ² > 90%). These results indicate that cross‐breeding does not systematically increase additive heritability. Instead, differences depend on trait type, likely reflecting differences in genetic architecture and the relative contribution of additive and non‐additive genetic effects. Overall, these findings highlight the importance of population‐specific genetic evaluations and context‐dependent breeding strategies in pig production, supporting the complementary interpretation of heritability and pure‐bred–cross‐bred genetic correlation (rPC) within Combined Cross‐bred and Pure‐bred Selection (CCPS) programmes.

The cultivation of Soledad pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is essential in Oaxaca and Veracruz, but it faces issues with pests and diseases, which affect yield and cause economic losses. To mitigate these impacts, farmers have started using biostimulants such as chitosan and plant growth-promoting bacteria instead of agrochemicals due to their environmental and health benefits. This study evaluated the effect of Bacillus subtilis and chitosan, both individually and combined, on the growth, yield, and fruit quality of Soledad pepper under greenhouse conditions. Four treatments were applied at different stages of the crop cycle: Q (Chitosan), BS (Bacillus subtilis), Q+BS (Chitosan + Bacillus subtilis), and T (Control). The results showed that the combination of chitosan and Bacillus subtilis significantly improved plant growth, especially in height and stem diameter. The chitosan treatment produced the highest number of fruits and plant weight, while the combination of chitosan and Bacillus subtilis enhanced fruit quality, increasing characteristics such as size, weight, pericarp thickness, and physicochemical parameters, notably in brix degrees, citric acid percentage, and pH, outperforming the individual treatments and the control.

The objective of the research was to determine the potential of Trichoderma spp. strains, Isaria fumosorosea, and Isaria javanica as biocontrol agents against Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) Chitwood, obtained from tomato cv. Saladette (Solanum lycopersicum L.). Strains of T. harzianum, T. viride, T. koningii, T. asperellum, and a Trichoderma sp. isolate, as well as I. fumosorosea and I. javanica, were used. These were previously selected for their high parasitic capacity, antibiosis, and adaptation to diverse environmental conditions and substrates. In the in vitro assays, parasitism of the biological control agents (a pure filtrate of each strain) on eggs, oothecae, and juveniles (J2) of M. incognita was evaluated. Observations were carried out using an optical microscope with a 40X objective lens at 10 days and 72 hours, respectively. Nematodo control under semi-controlled conditions was conducted in an experimental area using 10 kg polyethylene bags, inoculated with approximately 5,000 juveniles (J2) and planted with tomato seedlings. Seven days after nematode inoculation, the biological agents were applied to the soil; 45 days later, incidence and severity variables were evaluated. Based on the results obtained, it was found that the strains of T. harzianum, T. asperellum, T. koningii, and I. fumosorosea are efficient for the control of different stages of the biological cycle of M. incognita.

The cultivation of Soledad pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is essential in Oaxaca and Veracruz, but it faces issues with pests and diseases, which affect yield and cause economic losses. To mitigate these impacts, farmers have started using biostimulants such as chitosan and plant growth promoting bacteria instead of agrochemicals due to their environmental and health benefits. This study evaluated the effect of Bacillus subtilis and chitosan, both individually and combined, on the growth, yield, and fruit quality of Soledad pepper under greenhouse conditions. Four treatments were applied at different stages of the crop cycle: Q (Chitosan), BS (Bacillus subtilis), Q + BS (Chitosan + Bacillus subtilis), and T (Control). The results showed that the combination of chitosan and Bacillus subtilis significantly improved plant growth, especially in height and stem diameter. The chitosan treatment produced the highest number of fruits and plant weight, while the combination of chitosan and Bacillus subtilis enhanced fruit quality, increasing characteristics such as size, weight, pericarp thickness, and physicochemical parameters, notably in brix degrees, citric acid percentage, and pH, outperforming the individual treatments and the control.