Temperature changes, drought, frost, and the presence of pest and diseases place enormous stress on crops, which implies that the potential performance of these crops may be affected. One of the main goals for agronomists, horticulturists, growers, physiologists, soil scientists, geneticists, plant breeders, phytopathologists, and microbiologists is to increase the food production on the same cultivable area and to ensure that they are safe and of high quality. Understanding the biophysical changes in soil will help to manage the crop’s ability to cope with biotic and abiotic stress. Optimization is needed in the nutrition of crops, which involves the use of biostimulants to counter oxidative stress and the management of strain bioformulations (bacteria and fungi) that protect and stimulate roots for the acquisition of nutrients. The implementation of these strategies in fertigation programs improves crop yields. This article addresses the importance of the stimulation and the bioprotection of the root as a fundamental pillar in ensuring the high performance of a crop.

The by-products of green coffee processing are rich in compounds that can be recycled for their possible use in the production of beverages, fertilizers and weed control in production areas. The objective of this work was to identify the organic and inorganic bioactive compounds of green coffee and the coffee by-products related to the production of origin, such as dried cascara (skin-pulp), parchment and silverskin (unroasted), in order to investigate the role their biomolecules may have in reuse through practices and local knowledge, not yet valued. The metabolomic profile by HPLC-ESI-HRMS of the aqueous extract of the dried cascara highlighted 93 non-volatile molecules, the highest number reported for dried cascara. They belong to groups of organic acids (12), alkaloids (5), sugars (5), fatty acids (2), diglycerides (1), amino acids (18), phospholipids (7), vitamins (5), phenolic acids (11), flavonoids (8), chlorogenic acids (17), flavones (1) and terpenes (1). For the first time, we report the use of direct analysis in real-time mass spectrometry (DART-MS) for the identification of metabolites in aqueous extracts of dried cascara, parchment, silverskin and green coffee. The DART analysis mainly showed the presence of caffeine and chlorogenic acids in all the extracts; additionally, sugar adducts and antioxidant compounds such as polyphenols were detected. The mineral content (K, Ca, P, S, Mg and Cl) by EDS spectrometry in the by-products and green coffee showed a relatively high content of K in the dried cascara and green coffee, while Ca was detected in double quantity in the silverskin. These metabolomic and mineral profile data allow enhancement of the link between the quality of green coffee and its by-products and the traditional local practices in the crop-growing area. This consolidates the community’s experience in reusing by-products, thereby minimizing the impact on the environment and generating additional income for coffee growers’ work, in accordance with the principles of circular economy and bioeconomy.

Maize stem sculptures, produced during the 16th and 17th centuries in New Spain (today, Mexico) are a clear example of the convergence of the artistic traditions from the American indigenous populations and European influence. This typology of sculptures is not limited to the Americas, as the examples found in European countries have shown. Therefore, a detailed technological investigation is required to correctly classify them. This work presents the interdisciplinary and multianalytical investigation of a 16th-century sculpture made with a maize stem preserved in Guadalajara city, Mexico. We used a set of techniques, such as CT, SEM-EDX, μ-FTIR, and μ-Raman, to study, from a macro to a micro level, the structure, the polychromy, and the modification of the sculpture. The results showed the use of maize stems, paper, and wood in the construction of the sculpture and the use of the traditional polychromy, as well as the numerous modifications that changed its appearance considerably resulting in its misclassification. We were able to associate the statue with the Cortés workshop (Mexico City region), probably produced in the decade of 1580, and track its liturgical use and historical development through the centuries.

Globally, nematodes are parasites that destroy many crops, however, their presence also serves as an indicator of the state of soil health. Tomato is a very studied, cultivated vegetable. In the micro-space of the knots we determine its pathogenesis. The macronutrients, micronutrients and beneficial elements present on root-knot nematodes were C>O> N (54.73, 37.57, and 3.55%), phosphorus (0.133%), Na>Ca>Mg>K cations (1.13, 1,032, 0.094, and 0.048%), S (0.247%), micronutrients Fe>Cl (0.163, 0.027%), and beneficial elements Si>Al (0.354, 0.985%). Progenesis of the chromatograms (ES+/ES-), 202 compounds were detected in the first polarity, in which 195 have at least one possible identification candidate, the second were 42 compounds, and 41 match with at least one compound. Putative compounds with the highest scores are reported in this research: kukoamina (57.6), furmecyclox (51.1), feruloylputrescina (55.3), N1-transferuloylagmatine (53.9), dehydrotomatin (49.8, 50.8, 52.3, 52.6), jurubine (54.8,51.6), etnangien (50.2), dehydromelilotoside (41.5), tomatine (55), minutissamide (51.7). Nematodes in state (J2), six nematodes within the knots with an average length of 1.16 mm, were found and their interaction with other microorganisms is possible. With the high concentrations of Na⁺ in the root, the concentration of the cation Mg²⁺ and K⁺ decreases; while the N does not present any change.

The mucilage of Opuntia ficus-indica and the gum of Opuntia cochinera—a pathological exudate—are natural biopolymers historically documented in pre-Hispanic artistic and construction techniques. This study explores their potential as binders for the formulation of retouching materials in cultural heritage conservation. Both biopolymers were characterized using FTIR and DART-MS, and pigment–binder systems were formulated and applied to traditional substrates. Strati-graphic cross-sections were analyzed by SEM-EDS to assess the morphology of the paint layers and their interaction with the grounds. Comparative analyses with gum arabic (the reference binder for this type of application) revealed similar structural features, while FORS investigations highlighted distinctive optical responses. These findings suggest that Opuntia-based binders can provide novel optical properties and broaden the range of sustainable solutions available for pictorial retouching. Overall, the results support the potential use of O. ficus-indica mucilage and O. cochinera gum as innovative natural binders in conservation practice.