The native Caledonian pinewoods of Scotland, UK contain a unique and unexplored biodiversity of below-ground ectomycorrhizal fungi which may constitute a valuable source of microbial genetics resources for woodland restoration. In this study we test the sampling effort, taxa detection (ectomycorrhiza morpho-anatotyping) and relative abundance measurements (ectomycorrhizal root tip number vs. dry weight) of below-ground ectomycorrhizal fungal communities in a planted Pinus sylvestris Caledonian woodland. A total of 18 replicated sampling points were set up at differential distance along a 125 m transect, in a 50-yr-old, stem exclusion: thicket phase, Pinus sylvestris pinewood stand. A total of 11 ectomycorrhizal morpho-anatotypes were detected from 6689 ectomycorrhizal root tips counted and weighing 992.6 mg dry weight. The major ectomycorrhizal taxa were Meliniomyces bicolor and Cortinarius spp. accounting ~50% of total pine roots. A highly significant relationship (r² = 0.16, p < 0.000) was found between Sørensen dissimilarity in soil cores and distance apart. In this study, the spatial arrangement of samples indicated that over short distances the dissimilarity was lower in contrast with the longer distances along the transect.

Climate change has challenged large-scale crop production at a global level. Global temperature increases, water scarcity, and a further reduction in cultivable land resources due to anthropogenic impacts have resulted in the need to redesign agricultural systems such as intercropping to maximize the efficient use of natural resources. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) represent an underexplored area, not only in terms of an alternative to the heavy use of chemical fertilizers, but also as a natural resource used to enhance physiological processes and mitigate the variations in biotic and abiotic factors in plants. On the other hand, the combined use of AMF with suitable but cheaper and environmentally friendly growth substrates is another way to maximize crop production. A study was carried out in a tomato and onion intercropped pattern system to analyze the above- and belowground implications of two AMF commercial products containing Rhizophagus irregularis, propagated in soil and with an in vitro technique addition, with two different mixed growth substrates (river sand and compost) under greenhouse conditions. Overall, both AMF products overall showed significant promoting effects on plant growth (15–30%) and root parameters (50%) in the tomato and onion plants on the sand-mixed substrate. Moreover, the soil-propagated AMF also showed significant positive effects on chlorophyll content (35%), photosynthetic activity, and the accumulation of macro- and micronutrients, especially the Fe and Mn contents (60–80%) in the tomato plants. We present evidence of the benefits to plant performance due to the interactive effects between AMF and the growth substrate, and these positive effects might be due to the intercropping system. Hence, soil-propagated Rhizophagus irregularis is represented here as a promising candidate for enhancing growth, sustainability, and productivity under greenhouse conditions.

The traditional use of medicinal plants around the world has a long history, predominantly in low- and middle-income countries. Previous ethnobotanical research pertaining to urban environments demonstrated that the legacy of the use of medicinal plant species persists worldwide; however, information about the main city in the occidental part of Mexico is scarce regarding this traditional knowledge and its variation during the last few decades. A database was created from interviews with local people who had inhabited the oldest neighborhoods of Guadalajara for at least 30 years and by using different electronic databases. In addition, the correct taxonomic identification of species was supported via corroboration through local and other digital herbariums. Furthermore, a Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA) was performed on the database information to search for relationships among the medicinal plant species used. An inventory of 137 medicinal plants was created, where the plant species most commonly used in the five old neighborhoods of Guadalajara City were muicle (Justicia spicigera Schltdl.), pirul (Schinus molle L.), manzanilla (Matricaria chamomilla L.), valeriana (Valeriana sp.), calabaza (Cucurbita pepo L.), cola de caballo (Equisetum arvense L.), tepezcohuite (Mimosa tenuiflora Poir.), salvia (Salvia officinalis L.), canela (Cinnamomum verum J. Presl.), tila estrella (Tilia americana var. mexicana (Schltdl.) Hardin), cedrón (Aloysia citrodora Paláu), uva (Vitis vinifera L.), jengibre (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) and gobernadora (Larrea tridentata (DC.) Coville). Illnesses of the cardiovascular, digestive, urinary, respiratory, nervous, muscular and reproductive systems, as well as culture-bound syndromes, were mostly treated with these plant species. Moreover, J. spicigera, M. chamomilla and L. tridentata were used for eight medical purposes, followed by Z. officinale with five medicinal practices. In contrast, only two medicinal uses were recorded for C. pepo, M. tenuiflora and S. officinale. The PCoA explained 65.88% of the variation accumulated at the first three ordination axes and formed four groups of species, which were related to their geographical origin. Eight of the fourteen species that are commonly used as medicinal plants are from America, and the rest come from Europe and Asia. This study confirms the persistence of traditional knowledge related to medicinal plants, and the diseases empirically addressed among the inhabitants of Guadalajara City are common in other parts of the world and in different regions of Mexico. These findings are supported by electronic databases that comprise multiple studies related to the phytochemical compounds and medical validation regarding their biological activity, supporting the empirical use and efficacy of these medicinal plants.

Medicinal plants have been used by various cultures since pre-Hispanic times in Mexico. In this study, the use of medicinal plants in the old neighborhoods of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico is described. 137 species, 130 genera and 68 families were recorded. 34% of the species belong to Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, Malvaceae and Fabaceae families. The neighborhoods of Mexicaltzingo and San Juan de Dios are the most related to the knowledge and use of medicinal plants, while El Santuario is the least similar to the rest. The diversity of uses of medicinal plants according to the Shannon index is high (between 3.0 and 4.92). The Use Value Index showed that Matricaria chamomilla L. was the species that obtained the highest value (0.28), followed by Gnaphalium americanum Mill. (0.23). The age group between 51 and 85 years old has greater knowledge about medicinal plants their uses.

Habitat fragmentation poses a serious threat to bee communities, which are essential for pollination and biodiversity conservation. This study evaluated how habitat fragmentation in an oak forest in Zapopan, Mexico affected bee diversity, abundance, feeding niches, and bee–plant interaction networks. We compared a protected natural area with a nearby forest fragment that has been isolated from the main forest by urbanization for the past 10 years. Wild bee abundance and species richness in the fragmented area decreased by 74% and 70%, respectively, compared to the natural area, accompanied by a significant reduction in diversity. Community composition shifted mainly due to species loss; furthermore, there was persistence of generalist species such as Apis mellifera, which became more abundant in the forest fragment. Feeding niches in the fragmented area were narrower according to the Levin index, reflecting more restricted diets and increased interspecific competition. Interaction networks were simplified, showing fewer interactions, loss of specialist bees, and decreased equitability, although network specialization remained stable, and an almost-total turnover in interactions indicated a reconfiguration of pollination patterns. These findings suggest that fragmentation negatively affects bee community structures and their interactions with plants, potentially compromising pollination and ecosystem services. Conservation of protected areas and restoration of disturbed sites with native plants are recommended to support the recovery and stability of bee communities and their ecological interactions.

In Mexico, bean crop is one of the most important agricultural resources to provide food also for its economic value as product. However, there is a lack of research related with Phaseolus vulgaris varieties, specifically for plants cultivated for human consumption as common bean pods. It was characterized the main phenological events and the biomass distribution in two different varieties “Black Valentine” (BV, green pod) y “Black Wax” (BW, yellow pod) of common bean. For each variety it was chosen 4 plants and every 10 days after planting (DAP) from each organ emerged the fresh and dry weight and the leaf area were recorded. Then, at 7, 14 , 21 , 28 and 35 days after anthesis (DAA) the growth, fresh and dry weight and nitrogen content were evaluated from pods (n=10) of each variety of common bean. During the first 30 DAP the dry weight accumulation in both varieties was correlated with leaf area. The beginning of flowering and fruit growth was an important factor in the source-sink relationship. Differences were not noted in the final fresh and dry weight of the pods between “BV” and “BW” varieties.