Annona muricata (soursop) produces secondary metabolites with antimicrobial and insecticidal properties. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are known to enhance the production of secondary metabolites in medicinal plants. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the insecticidal activity of ethanolic leaf extracts from AMF-colonized soursop trees against the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) and the triatomine bug Triatoma pallidipennis, a vector of Chagas disease. Ethanolic leaf extracts were obtained from trees inoculated with two AMF consortia (Cerro del Metate and Agua Dulce), with the species Rhizophagus intraradices and Funneliformis mosseae, and from non-mycorrhizal plants (SM). Extracts were tested in bioassays specific to each insect, including chemical and negative controls, and survival was analyzed using Kaplan–Meier curves. Extracts from plants colonized by F. mosseae exhibited insecticidal activity against S. frugiperda, causing 72% larval mortality, comparable to that of the commercial insecticide. In contrast, extracts from plants inoculated with the Agua Dulce consortium caused 65% mortality in T. pallidipennis adults. These extracts showed significantly higher annonacin content (µg·g⁻¹ DW). Overall, the results demonstrate that AMF colonization can enhance the synthesis of metabolites such as annonacins and contribute to increased insecticidal activity in A. muricata. Our findings suggest AMF-assisted cultivation has the potential to enhance botanical insecticides.

In plants, pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) activate pattern-triggered immunity and can contribute to resistance against phytopathogenic infections. Identifying novel microbial elicitors is important for developing resistance-inducing strategies that reduce reliance on pesticides. This study evaluated BV801-derived protein preparations obtained from Xanthomonas euvesicatoria strain BV801 grown in host-associated media containing lyophilized Solanum lycopersicum or Capsicum annuum tissue. Six treatments were evaluated in C. annuum against bacterial spot caused by X. euvesicatoria (BSX) under in vitro conditions: SP-AWSL and SP-AWCA (obtained from BV801 grown in the host-associated AWSL and AWCA media), SP-NYGA and SP-M9 (obtained from BV801 grown in rich and minimal control media), and two commercial reference inducers, Actigard^® 50 GS (acibenzolar-S-methyl) and Messenger Gold^® (commercial harpin formulation). Plants were treated 48 h before pathogen inoculation. SDS-PAGE revealed protein bands in the 12–26 kDa range that were enriched in SP-AWSL and SP-AWCA relative to the control-media preparations. Several BV801-derived preparations produced localized necrosis in N. tabacum leaves consistent with a hypersensitive-response-like reaction. SP-AWSL and SP-AWCA reduced BSX severity in chili pepper by up to 67% compared with the diseased control (Kruskal–Wallis, p ≤ 0.05) and significantly reduced bacterial proliferation (Tukey, p ≤ 0.05). At the final sampling point, plants pretreated with BV801-derived protein preparations and subsequently challenged with X. euvesicatoria showed higher CaBPR1 expression than corresponding pretreated but unchallenged plants, a pattern consistent with a priming-like defense response. These findings support the potential of BV801-derived protein preparations obtained under putative Hrp-inducing conditions as candidates for sustainable resistance-inducing strategies against bacterial spot in chili pepper.

Background: Agave species, native to Mexico, have been historically used for food, medicine, fiber, and ceremonial purposes, and are now the basis of economically important products such as tequila and mezcal. However, agave cultivation must deal with multiple biotic and abiotic factors, with weeds reducing yield and crop vigor. Objective: This study aimed to identify and compare the weed species associated with agave crops under organic and conventional systems across different agroecological zones of Jalisco, Mexico. Methods: Between 2023-2024, [...] Background: Agave species, native to Mexico, have been historically used for food, medicine, fiber, and ceremonial purposes, and are now the basis of economically important products such as tequila and mezcal. However, agave cultivation must deal with multiple biotic and abiotic factors, with weeds reducing yield and crop vigor. Objective: This study aimed to identify and compare the weed species associated with agave crops under organic and conventional systems across different agroecological zones of Jalisco, Mexico. Methods: Between 2023-2024,