This study assessed the performance of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) fed different tomato plant residues (fruit, leaves, and stems) at doses ranging from 100 to 350 mg/larva/day over ten days. Most doses resulted in 100% survival, except for the leaf residue at the highest dose (300 mg/larva/day), which had an 88% survival rate. Growth varied by substrate, with the highest increase observed in larvae-fed tomato fruit, followed by stems and leaves. However, no doses exceeded the control diet regarding biomass accumulation, although fruit tomatoes produced the highest wet biomass (13.71 g). Larvae-fed fruit tomatoes also showed the best performance in waste reduction index (WRI) with 7.56, substrate reduction (SR) of 75%, and a feed conversion rate (FCR) of 3.29. Furthermore, the fruit tomato was the most efficient at converting organic waste into larval biomass. This study demonstrates the potential of using tomato plant residues as a sustainable substrate for BSFL, offering an effective way to manage agricultural waste and produce valuable larval biomass.

The intricate interplay between SMCs and agroecosystems has garnered substantial attention in recent decades due to its profound implications for agricultural productivity, ecosystem sustainability, and environmental health. Understanding the distribution of SMCs is complemented by investigations into their functional roles within agroecosystems. Soil microbes play pivotal roles in nutrient cycling, organic matter decomposition, disease suppression, and plant‒microbe interactions, profoundly influencing soil fertility, crop productivity, and ecosystem resilience. Elucidating the functional diversity and metabolic potential of SMCs is crucial for designing sustainable agricultural practices that harness the beneficial functions of soil microbes while minimizing detrimental impacts on ecosystem services. Various molecular techniques, such as next-generation sequencing and high-throughput sequencing, have facilitated the elucidation of microbial community structures and dynamics at different spatial scales. These efforts have revealed the influence of factors such as soil type, land management practices, climate, and land use change on microbial community composition and diversity. Advances in high-throughput methodological strategies have revolutionized our ability to characterize SMCs comprehensively and efficiently. These include amplicon sequencing, metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, and metaproteomics, which provide insights into microbial taxonomic composition, functional potential, gene expression, and protein profiles. The integration of multiomics approaches allows for a more holistic understanding of the complex interactions within SMCs and their responses to environmental perturbations. In conclusion, this review highlights the significant progress made in mapping, understanding the distribution, elucidating the functions, and employing high-throughput methodological strategies to study SMCs in agroecosystems.

This study investigates the potential of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) as biological control agents by exploring their occurrence and diversity in Amazcala, Querétaro. The aim was to characterise their distribution and evaluate their pathogenicity against insect pests. Soil samples were collected from various agricultural lands, followed by laboratory isolation and the molecular identification of EPN species. Morphological and genetic analyses confirmed the presence of several species with distinct pathogenic profiles. Pathogenicity assays using the larval stages of Galleria mellonella and Tenebrio molitor revealed that Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and Heterorhabditis atacamensis exhibited significant virulence, with Galleria mellonella being more susceptible. Among the 12 recovered EPN isolates, three strains—AMZX05 (Heterorhabditis atacamensis), AMZX10 (Heterorhabditis bacteriophora), and AMZX13 (Heterorhabditis atacamensis)—demonstrated particularly high pathogenic potential. These strains represent promising candidates for biological control and could contribute to sustainable integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. Further research is recommended to optimise their application across diverse agroecosystems.

This study presents a hybrid recurrent neural network (RNN) approach for greenhouse microclimate prediction, combining a mechanistic model with an Elman network. The research addresses the gap in systematic comparisons between hybrid RNN and feedforward neural network (FFNN) architectures for greenhouse climate forecasting. Different network structures with 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 hidden layers were evaluated using mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), mean square error (MSE), and coefficient of determination (R²). Results demonstrate that hybrid RNNs significantly outperform FFNNs in predicting indoor temperature, with the 2-hidden-layer configuration achieving the best performance (R² = 0.897). For relative humidity prediction, both networks showed comparable results. The hybrid RNN with 3 hidden layers exhibited optimal performance during training, while simpler configurations proved more effective during testing. The integration of mechanistic knowledge with neural networks enhances prediction accuracy, providing a reliable tool for greenhouse climate control systems. These findings contribute to smart agriculture by offering an efficient computational approach for microclimate management.

Extracellular poly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA) produced by Bacillus species demonstrates significant antibacterial properties, positioning it as a promising candidate for diverse biomedical and industrial applications. This study focused on molecular identification of Bacillus subtilis using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and evaluated the initial production of γ-PGA from a novel biological source of Bacillus subtilis. Shake flask fermentation was utilized for γ-PGA production, with three distinct growth media (Tryptic, MRS, and Mineral medium) assessed for their efficiency in polymer yield. Characterization of γ-PGA was conducted through FT-IR, HPLC, and GC-MS analyses. FT-IR spectroscopy confirmed the presence of characteristic functional groups such as carbonyl, amide, and hydroxyl groups. HPLC and GC-MS analyses provided insights into the polymer’s purity and molecular composition, highlighting components like methyl esters, hexanoic acid, and monomethyl esters. Furthermore, the study quantified γ-PGA production during a four-day shake flask fermentation period. These findings contribute significantly to bacterial characterization, optimization of fermentation processes, and the exploration of γ-PGA’s potential as an antibacterial agent. Future research directions include refining purification techniques to enhance γ-PGA’s antibacterial efficacy and expanding its applications across various fields.

Pitahaya (Hylocereus spp.), commonly known as dragon fruit, has attracted increasing attention as a high-value crop because of its nutritional attributes, environmental adaptability, and growing market demand. However, existing reviews typically address individual topics—such as nutrition, cultivation, postharvest management, or sustainability—without integrating these aspects across the production cycle. This fragmentation hinders a comprehensive understanding of how propagation methods, agronomic and reproductive management, and cultivation conditions influence fruit quality and postharvest performance. This review synthesizes scientific and technological evidence on propagation, cultivation systems, agronomic management, nutritional composition, fruit quality, postharvest technologies, by-product valorization, sustainability, and innovation. Scientific publications and patents published between January 2019 and March 2026 were analyzed. An initial search identified approximately 170 scientific records and 2000 patent records; after screening, 105 scientific publications and 96 patents were included in the review. The evidence indicates advances in vegetative propagation, greenhouse and soilless cultivation, nutrient and environmental management, characterization of bioactive compounds, postharvest preservation, and by-product valorization. Patent activity also reflects technological developments in protected cultivation, structural support systems, and digital agriculture. Nevertheless, commercial-scale validation, standardized crop-specific management protocols, quantitative comparisons among production systems, and effective technology transfer remain limited.