In plant-plant interactions, the emission of secondary metabolites can have significant effects, potentially serving as a tool for weed management. The study of plant-derived substances offers an environmental alternative to traditional production processes. The aim of the research was to evaluate the allelopathic potential of the aqueous extract of Artemisia absinthium L. on the germination of seeds of five species: Calendula officinalis L., Taraxacum officinale L., Bidens pilosa L., Senecio vulgaris L., and Brassica juncea L. The experiment involved a factorial design with five species, five extract concentrations and five replicates, for a total of 125 experimental units (EU). The aqueous extract of A. absinthium was prepared from dried foliage at a concentration of 1/50 (w/v) and applied in varying proportions (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%) according to the respective treatments. In each EU, 20 seeds of the corresponding species were placed and grown under controlled conditions for 21 d, during which germination was monitored. The results indicate that A. absinthium has significant potential as an inhibitor of seed germination and seedling growth in T. officinale and B. pilosa. In S. vulgaris and B. juncea, the response was highly dose-dependent. In C. officinalis, no inhibition was observed in the evaluated parameters. The results indicate that A. absinthium extract offers a sustainable alternative to weed management.

Agrivoltaic systems, which integrate solar energy generation with agricultural production, offer a promising solution to optimize land use efficiency. This work presents a case study for the assessment of an agrivoltaic pilot project in a small-scale solar farm operated by SOLENIUM in San Diego (Cesar, Colombia), located in the Colombian tropical dry forest. The project evaluated environmental conditions, selected melon and watermelon as shade-tolerant crops, and assessed technical challenges, including mechanization constraints. Preliminary results indicated that agrivoltaic systems can maintain agricultural productivity while generating renewable energy, with photosynthetically active radiation measurements averaging 1342 μmol/m²/s in cultivation areas. This case study demonstrates the viability of agrivoltaic systems as a scalable model for sustainable rural development in the Colombian tropical dry forest.

This study evaluated the effect of monoammonium phosphate (MAP) on glyphosate (GLY) bioavailability in soil and its impact on rice plant metabolism and biomass production. A greenhouse experiment was conducted using three Colombian soils (CS1, CS2, CS3), four treatment strategies, and six GLY doses (0-12 L ha⁻¹). Treatments differed in the timing of MAP application relative to GLY: before, simultaneously, or after herbicide application. MAP was applied at 60 kg P ha⁻¹. Results showed that GLY availability in the rhizosphere led to significant increases in leaf shikimic acid (SA), a marker of herbicide-induced stress. SA accumulation and biomass reduction were both dose-dependent, with the greatest physiological impacts observed under simultaneous or post-herbicide phosphate application. MAP addition to soil enhanced GLY mobility by promoting desorption from soil particles, intensifying its uptake and metabolic effects on the plants. While GLY exposure did not induce lethal symptoms, it caused clear sub-lethal alterations in metabolism and growth. These findings highlight the importance of managing phosphate-herbicide interactions to reduce unintended effects on crop performance.