Introduction. Dieback is a severe disease reported in mango-producing regions of Mexico; however, there is limited information regarding growers’ perception and management of this disease. Objective. To assess mango growers’ perception and management practices regarding dieback disease in the municipality of Actopan, Veracruz, Mexico, while describing their socioeconomic and production characteristics. Materials and methods. The research was conducted in the municipality of Actopan, Veracruz, Mexico, during 2021-2022. Semi-structured interviews consisting of 45 questions were conducted with mango growers. The study addressed growers’ socioeconomic characteristics, orchard management practices, recurring diseases, and their perception and management of mango dieback. Data analysis was performed using various multivariate and descriptive statistical tools. Results. Most mango growers were men (94 %) with a wide age range, predominantly consisting of elderly and young adults. Cluster analysis revealed three distinct groups of producers: small (56 %), medium (16 %), and large (28 %), each with specific characteristics regarding cultivated area, agronomic management, and yield (M = 8.54 ± 3.75 t/ha). Dieback was recognized by all interviewed growers, who identified gummosis, branch rot, and trunk rot as the main symptoms associated with the disease. Only 18.75 % of growers implement specific management or control measures through chemical and mineral fungicides. Conclusions. For mango growers in Actopan, Veracruz, dieback represents a disease of major importance in their cultivation. While growers implement basic management strategies, these have proven inefficient, driving interest in developing new and improved control tools.

Vanilla is a highly valuable spice in multiple industries worldwide. However, it faces a serious problem due to a disease known as root and stem rot, caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vanillae. Little is known about the pathogenicity mechanisms this fungus employs to establish the disease, making it imperative to elucidate mechanisms such as the presence of pathogenicity effectors in its genome. The aim of the present study was to determine the presence of the SIX gene family in the genome of three strains of F. oxysporum associated with root rot: two pathogenic strains and one non-pathogenic endophyte strain. Additionally, the complete effectorome of these strains was predicted and compared to exclude effectors present in the endophytic strain. Our results show that only the SIX9 gene is present in the strains associated with the disease, regardless of their pathogenic nature. Furthermore, no variation was observed in the SIX9 gene among these strains, suggesting that SIX9 is not involved in pathogenicity. Instead, we identified 339 shared effectors among the three strains, including the non-pathogenic strain, strongly suggesting that these genes are not relevant for establishing root rot but may play a role in endophytic colonization. The highly virulent strain IXF41 exhibited eight exclusive pathogenicity effectors, while the moderately virulent strain IXF50 had four. Additionally, one effector was identified as shared between these two strains but absent in the endophytic strain. These effectors and their promoters were characterized, revealing the presence of several cis-regulatory elements responsive to plant hormones. Overall, our findings provide novel insights into the genomic determinants of virulence in F. oxysporum f. sp. vanillae, offering a foundation for future functional studies and the development of targeted disease management strategies.

Soyabean (Glycine max L.) is a strategic crop worldwide; however, in tropical regions such as Mexico, production intensification does not necessarily lead to more efficient or profitable systems. This study aimed to characterize Soyabean producers based on socioeconomic, technical, and productive variables and to analyze the relationship between intensification, efficiency, and profitability. A total of 75 producers were surveyed during 2024 using a structured questionnaire, and the data were analyzed through multivariate techniques, including hierarchical cluster analysis and principal component analysis. Three producer typologies were identified: low production intensification (PBIP), intermediate intensification (PIIP), and intensive input management (PMII). The results showed that PBIP producers achieved the highest yield (2.70 t ha⁻¹) and profitability (MXN 16,102.16 ha⁻¹), outperforming PIIP (2.28 t ha⁻¹; MXN 6365.31 ha⁻¹) and PMII (1.48 t ha⁻¹; MXN 3535.23 ha⁻¹), despite using fewer inputs. These findings suggest that higher levels of input use were not consistently associated with greater productivity or economic returns within the studied production systems. Promoting sustainable intensification strategies and targeted extension programs is essential to improve productivity, profitability, and resilience in rainfed Soyabean systems.

Introducción. El mango es un frutal tropical de gran importancia económica, México es el principal exportador mundial. La muerte descendente (MD) es una enfermedad fúngica que causa pérdidas en árboles y frutos. En 2022, se reportó su presencia en Veracruz, segundo productor nacional de mango Manila, afectando la rentabilidad del cultivo (Saucedo-Picazo et al., 2022). Ante su impacto económico y social, es necesario caracterizar el sistema de producción, identificar limitantes y factores que favorecen la enfermedad para orientar políticas públicas y mejorar la toma de decisiones. Objetivo. Caracterizar la tipología de productores, la percepción sobre la muerte descendente y los tipos de manejo que implementan en la zona centro del estado de Veracruz. Métodos. Se aplicó un cuestionario semiestructurado a 50 productores de mango en Actopan y Paso de Ovejas, clasificados como pequeños, medianos y grandes. El cuestionario abordó aspectos socioeconómicos, enfermedades comunes, percepción de la MD y prácticas de manejo. Se usó estadística descriptiva para analizar respuestas binarias y abiertas. Resultados y discusión. De los productores entrevistados, 47 fueron hombres y tres mujeres, con una edad media de 63.5 años y escolaridad principalmente primaria. La mayoría tiene tenencia ejidal y destina su producción al mercado nacional. Las principales enfermedades reportadas fueron antracnosis, cenicilla y MD. El 100 % reconoció síntomas de MD, con daños moderados y una incidencia de 6-50 %. Sólo el 47.6 % realiza acciones de control como podas, encalado o aplicación de fungicidas, aunque prácticas como la poda en época de lluvias podrían aumentar la diseminación de la enfermedad. Conclusión. El predominio de productores de edad avanzada dificulta la gestión adecuada de las parcelas, haciendo necesario un relevo generacional. Aunque la MD es reconocida, las acciones de control son limitadas. Existe interés de los productores por capacitarse en estrategias más efectivas para el manejo de la enfermedad.

La muerte descendente es una de las enfermedades que genera mayor impacto en el mango, afecta toda la estructura del árbol llevándolo a causar pérdidas en la producción. Este estudio investigó el impacto de la enfermedad en cinco localidades de la zona central del estado de Veracruz durante los años 2016-2017 y llevó a cabo una caracterización histológica de la afectación causada por Lasiodiplodia pseudotheobromae en el mango Manila. Los resultados revelaron una incidencia que osciló entre el 38% y el 80%, una severidad que varió entre 1.5 y 2.59 grados y un índice de la enfermedad alto de 0.58 a 2. Histológicamente, el hongo afectó diversos tejidos vegetales, principalmente el cambium vascular por lo que se vio afectada la corteza interna y externa, provocando la destrucción de los vasos del xilema y floema, así como la generación de goma. Esta actividad patogénica podría resultar en un daño en el floema evitando el transporte de nutrientes y sales minerales, así como en xilema evitando el paso de agua lo que eventualmente desencadenaría la muerte de la planta. Conocer el modo de actuar del hongo patógeno nos sitúa en la oportunidad de intervención temprana para el manejo de la enfermedad.