The tomato is a widely cultivated and consumed vegetable globally. Comarca Lagunera is an important tomato-exporting region of Mexico. Salinity is an abiotic factor that reduces productivity and increases production costs. To advance growing period, there is high demand for the sustainable production of seedlings. Plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are characterized by improving plant growth through different mechanisms and can be an option for reducing the misuse of chemical fertilizers. The importance of the application of strains, evaluating various inoculation methods (in seed, soil, foliar spraying, and root immersion), should be evaluated to propose biofertilization packages in a specific crop. Thus, the study aimed to determine the effect of PGPR (Bacillus paralicheniformis, Acinetobacter guillouiae, Aeromonas caviae, and Pseudomonas lini) vs. nutrient solution and distilled water in the seedlings stage of saladette-type tomato on morphophysiological variables, nitrate reductase (NR) enzyme activity, and plant minerals via tissue analysis under greenhouse conditions. The four PGPR were inoculated by different methods (inoculation in seed, sprinkling, and both) in saladette-type tomato seedlings under greenhouse conditions and evaluated in vivo 40 days after sowing for morphophysiological variables, such as seedling height; stem diameter; root displaced volume; fresh and dry weight matter of the leaves, stems, and roots; leaf area; and nitrate reductase enzyme activity. The effect of the inoculation of PGPR showed significant results for Pseudomonas lini vs. the control, with 40% higher values, on average, for plant height, stem diameter, displaced root volume, and fresh weight of root, leaf, and stem. The response of enzymatic and mineral content in seedlings was variable with nutrient solution and significant with distilled water. Studies related to the promotion of plants in the subsequent phenological stages of a tomato, considering the selected PGPR, should be considered in future research.

Organic fertilizers were evaluated on jalapeno pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) and on their effect on the soil content of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), electrical conductivity (EC), pH and organic matter (OM), at the Experimental Station of the Agriculture and Zootechnics Faculty (FAZ-UJED), Ejido Venecia, Durango, México. The assayed experimental fertilizers were vermicompost (VC) with 0 and 3 Mg ha⁻¹, in factorial combination with solarized manure (SM), with 0, 40, 80, and 120 Mg ha⁻¹, and an inorganic fertilization nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (NPK) at 150–100–00 Mg ha⁻¹. Microbiological analyses were performed to evaluate the presence of Salmonella spp. The highest yield was 56.2 Mg ha⁻¹ with 120 Mg ha⁻¹ SM, which was statistically similar to 40 and 80 Mg ha⁻¹; the highest P content (70.7 mg kg⁻¹) and OM (3.7%) occurred with 120 Mg ha⁻¹ SM. The inorganic fertilizer reflected the lowest OM (1.1%). Nutrients provided by SM were sufficient to satisfy the crop needs. Values of pH, EC and N were not affected by SM. The fruit quality was not affected by the organic fertilizers. Most fruits were classified as Second-Class Quality (60%), followed by First-Class Quality (25%). Microbiological analyses were negative for Salmonella spp., suggesting that the SM is effective in its elimination.

The Comarca Lagunera is one of Mexico’s most important productive areas. Its main economic activities are livestock, agriculture, and the processing industry. A wide variety of industries emit wastes that are considered highly toxic environmental pollutants, which have strong negative impacts on public health. The objective of this work was to determine the lead concentrations present in tissues of pigeons (Columba livia) belonging to the urban area of the Comarca Lagunera, Mexico. Specimens were collected from the localities that comprise the region and the tissue extracted; the organs were dried, calcined, and diluted in an acidic HCl solution. Lead concentrations were obtained by atomic absorption spectrometry using the graphite furnace technique. The results demonstrate the presence of lead in all the tissues analyzed, with maximum concentrations of 191.14 mg/kg and minimum concentrations of 0.86 mg/kg, the area with the highest average concentration being Torreón, Coahuila (p = 0.030). The organ with the highest concentration was the bone (p = 0.000). Evidence of lead poisoning is presented in Columba livia tissues in the Comarca Lagunera, thus demonstrating the presence of this contaminant and the ability of these pigeons to function as bioindicators of environmental contamination.

Post-harvest losses of ‘Cruiser’ cantaloupe reach ~15% in arid regions of Mexico, representing substantial wasted water and embedded greenhouse-gas emissions. This study presents an open-access, low-temperature maceration protocol for converting cosmetically rejected fruit into a carotenoid-rich spirit at rural scale. A 5-day maceration at 20 °C (15% pulp, 20% v/v ethanol) preserved color, β-carotene, and antioxidant capacity over 90 days of storage. Shelf-life predictions beyond this period are model-based and require long-term validation. Trained assessors characterized the beverage with a favorable aromatic profile driven by fruity esters and floral terpenes. Life-cycle results indicated lower cradle-to-gate impacts than reference mango spirits, and composting of pomace generated a mature soil amendment. A simplified techno-economic scenario suggests potential for rural processing but excludes taxation, licensing, and regulatory compliance; thus, economic feasibility cannot yet be confirmed. Overall, this study provides a proof-of-concept pathway for valorizing cantaloupe waste through low-temperature maceration and identifies critical analytical, regulatory, and economic aspects needed for future scale-up.

Second-grade watermelons are a lycopene-rich by-product currently discarded despite their potential for valorization. This study aimed to develop a consumer-accepted alcoholic liqueur by alcoholic maceration of watermelon pulp, optimizing the formulation for lycopene retention, antioxidant activity, and sensory quality. Three pulp ratios (15, 20, and 25% v/v) were macerated in 39% v/v cane alcohol for 5 days at 20 °C. The 20% pulp formulation (T2) achieved the best balance of lycopene (8.6 mg L⁻¹), DPPH antioxidant activity (580 µmol TE L⁻¹), redness (CIE a* = 14.1), and overall acceptability (7.6/9). Under nitrogen-flushed amber glass, T2 retained ≥82% lycopene and ≤10% antioxidant loss after 90 days at 20 °C, following first-order degradation kinetics (Ea = 43 kJ mol⁻¹). A minimum shelf-life of three months is projected under these experimental conditions. Life-cycle screening indicates 0.84 kg CO₂-eq L⁻¹, with a 1.9-year payback and 1.7 t CO₂-eq savings per ton of rescued fruit compared to landfill. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of producing a shelf-stable, naturally colored craft spirit with watermelon flavor, aligning with consumer preferences and circular economy principles in the alcoholic beverage sector.

Second-grade watermelons are a lycopene-rich byproduct currently discarded despite their functional potential. This study aimed to develop a consumer-accepted liqueur by alcohol maceration of watermelon pulp, optimizing formulation for lycopene retention, antioxidant activity, and sensory quality. Three pulp ratios (15, 20, and 25% v/v) were macerated in 39% v/v cane alcohol for 5 days at 20 °C. The 20% pulp formulation (T2) achieved the best balance of lycopene (8.6 mg L⁻¹), DPPH antioxidant activity (580 µmol TE L⁻¹), redness (CIE a* = 14.1), and overall acceptability (7.6/9). Under nitrogen-flushed amber glass, T2 retained ≥82% lycopene and ≤10% antioxidant loss after 90 days at 20 °C, following first-order degradation kinetics (Ea = 43 kJ mol⁻¹). A 5,000 L yr⁻¹ craft-scale projection showed a 1.9-year payback and 1.7 t CO₂-eq savings compared to landfill. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of producing a shelf-stable, functional liqueur from watermelon waste, aligning with consumer preferences and circular economy principles in the craft beverage sector.