Category: Economic and social impact
Different soil sampling designs influence the diversity and drivers of the avocado rhizosphere bacterial and fungal communities
The variability of the rhizosphere microbial community has not been well-studied in avocado plantations at the field-scale. This research aimed to determine if the bacterial and fungal communities in the rhizosphere and/or the soil physicochemical properties from two commercial avocado orchards varied with different sampling designs (grid-based, longitudinal transect, and zigzag transect), and in turn if this changed the soil physicochemical properties driving the composition of the microbial communities.
Fungal dynamics and biocontrol potential in Fusarium-induced avocado root rot soil
PURPOSE: Fusarium-induced root rot poses a significant threat to avocado production, yet the mechanisms linking fungal community dynamics and biocontrol potential in affected soils remain unclear. This study aimed to compare fungal community composition, diversity, enzyme activities, and potential biocontrol agents in healthy and diseased avocado soils. METHODS: We employed high-throughput sequencing, quantitative PCR, soil physicochemical and enzymatic analyses—including β-glucosidase, urease,
Diversity of Culturable Endophytic Fungi Associated with Avocado Orchards Under Organic and Conventional Management
Endophytic fungi constitute a great resource for the implementation of sustainable agricultural practices. However, their diversity may be altered by agrochemicals used in conventionally managed agrosystems. Here we explored the culturable diversity of endophytic fungi associated with avocado (Persea americana Mill.) in conventional and organic orchards from three counties of the world’s leading productive region. In total, 529 endophytic fungal isolates were obtained from branches and roots of
Biorefinery of avocado seed waste for sustainable production of bioplastics and functionalized silver nanocomposites
This study examines the potential of utilizing avocado seeds (AS) waste for sustainable polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) production and green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in an integrated biorefinery approach. Initially, phytochemical compounds were extracted from AS biomass using solvent extraction. The residual AS biomass underwent hydrolysis through acid pretreatment and was subsequently utilized as a sustainable carbon source for PHA synthesis by Lysinibacillus sp. RGS. Various operational
Market Performance of Avocado Fruits among Smallholder Farmers in Southern Highlands of Tanzania
This study was designed to determine factors that influence market performance of avocado fruits among smallholder farmers in Mbeya and Songwe regions. A cross section research design entailing 209 farmers from five (5) districts of two (2) regions and 15 key informants; 5 local service providers (LSP), 5 traders/brokers and 5 district extension officers (DEO) were involved in the study. Random selection procedures were used to select avocado producers and purposive selection procedures were used
Association between musculoskeletal symptoms and psychosocial factors in tropical crop workers of Spain using standardized Nordic questionnaire and Mini Psychosocial Factors method
Southern Spain (Andalusia) is the only region in Europe capable of producing tropical fruits (avocado, cherimoya, and mango). The sector employs more than 4000 workers. The objective of this research is the integrated assessment of musculoskeletal symptoms and psychosocial factors of tropical crop workers in Andalusia using the 'Standardised Nordic questionnaires for the analysis of musculoskeletal symptoms (NMQ)' and 'Mini Psychosocial Factors (MPF) method'. NMQ is a 28-question multiple-choice