Sistema Regional de Información
en línea para Revistas Científicas de América Latina,
el Caribe, España y Portugal

Biostimulation is the process by which plants respond and activate components of secondary metabolism, allowing the accumulation of biologically active substances in fruits and thereby improving their organoleptic and nutritional quality. In this research, the biostimulant ef fect of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (nHAp) on strawberry crops was evaluated. The treatments included foliar application of increasing doses of nHAp; 500, 1000, 1500, 2000, and 2500 mg L-1, and a control (deionized water). Foliar application of nHAp on strawberries significantly improved yield, commercial quality, and content of bioactive compounds in the fruit. The dose of 500 mg L-¹ showed the best yield and fruit firmness, while higher doses increased bioactive compounds, although with a decreasing trend in productivity. These results show the potential of nHAp as an agricultural biostimulant, highlighting the need to determine optimal doses specific to each crop.

En el corazón de los ecosistemas agrícolas yace un recurso invisible pero esencial para la sostenibilidad de la producción, el microbioma del suelo. Esta comunidad diversa y dinámica de microorganismos representa un verdadero tesoro subterráneo, cuyo potencial biotecnológico ha comenzado a revelarse con fuerza debido a los avances recientes en la ciencia del suelo y la biotecnología agrícola. Durante mucho tiempo, los microorganismos del suelo se consideraron simplemente auxiliares de la fertilidad natural. En la actualidad, sabemos que desempeñan un rol fundamental en procesos múltiples como la movilización de nutrientes, la mejora de la estructura edáfica, la promoción del crecimiento vegetal y la protección contra patógenos. Estos organismos son aliados estratégicos en la transición hacia una agricultura más sostenible, capaz de responder a los desafíos del cambio climático, la degradación de tierras y la demanda creciente de alimentos.

El estudio de los agroecosistemas, en su complejidad y diversidad, ha adquirido una relevancia creciente en el contexto de los retos globales, como el cambio climático, la seguridad alimentaria, la conservación de la biodiversidad y la sostenibilidad de los recursos naturales. En este volumen especial se seleccionaron investigaciones innovadoras y avances científicos presentados durante el II Congreso Internacional en Agroecosistemas del Tecnológico Nacional de México (TecNM) a través de las Redes de Investigación "Agricultura Sustentable" y "Genética y Cultura del Maíz", que se celebró con el propósito de fomentar el intercambio de conocimientos y perspectivas sobre la mejora de prácticas agrícolas, la conservación de recursos naturales y el impulso a la resiliencia de los agroecosistemas frente a desafíos ambientales y socioeconómicos.Así también, el evento vinculó al sector académico con los sectores social, productivo y gubernamental, buscando atender necesidades del entorno y contribuir al cumplimiento de la Agenda Estratégica del TecNM para la Autosuficiencia Alimentaria y el Rescate del Campo.

La producción agrícola moderna enfrenta múltiples desafíos, entre ellos la optimización del rendimiento y la sostenibilidad de los cultivos. En este sentido, la elección de tecnología de manejo a los cultivos es una prioridad. En el presente número, se ha tratado de conjuntar estudios desarrollados para diferentes condiciones de suelo y ambiente. Se han intentado involucrar la evaluación sobre a) el manejo de la fertilización, b) la evaluación de densidades de población en sinergia con la fertilización mineral, c) el estudio sobre la aplicación de silicio como elemento mineral de potencial benéfico, y d) el uso de acuaponía en un cultivo hidropónico.

This study evaluates the microbiological and physicochemical quality of the Portoviejo River, located in the Manabí province (Ecuador), through the analysis of fecal coliforms and parameters such as pH, temperature, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS), and salinity. For this purpose, eight sampling stations were established along the main river course, from its source to its mouth, covering the cantons of Santa Ana, Portoviejo, Rocafuerte, and Sucre. A total of 48 water samples were collected in June 2023, and analyses were conducted both in situ and in the laboratory, following the Ecuadorian Technical Standard INEN 2176:2013 and Method 1060 of the Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater. The results showed fecal coliform concentrations ranging from 1,600 to 160,000 MPN/100 mL, with station averages exceeding the maximum permissible limits established by Ecuadorian regulations for recreational and agricultural uses. The most contaminated station was located in the El Comercio neighborhood (Portoviejo), with 137,333.33 ± 39,259.82 MPN/100 mL. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences between stations (ANOVA, p < 0.05), and Spearman’s correlation showed a positive relationship between fecal coliform concentration and population size. Conductivity, salinity, and TDS values also reached levels that indicate restrictions for agricultural use in some sections. Higher contamination was identified in densely populated urban areas, and an action plan was proposed with strategies by canton to mitigate the observed impacts.  Finally, a proposal was presented to reduce microbiological pollution.

This study examines the experiences of female migrant workers through the lens of social justice, analyzing the systemic barriers that hinder their inclusion and equitable treatment in global labor markets. These workers are disproportionately concentrated in low-wage, insecure, and informal employment sectors, where they face intersecting challenges such as gender discrimination, economic exploitation, racial inequality, and limited access to labor rights. These structural injustices not only marginalize female migrant workers but also perpetuate cycles of exclusion and inequality. Adopting an interdisciplinary and intersectional approach, this article emphasizes the need to expand social justice frameworks beyond economic redistribution to incorporate cultural recognition and political inclusion. It argues that addressing these multidimensional inequalities requires targeted policy interventions and inclusive labor systems that reflect the lived realities of migrant women. By integrating global and local perspectives, the study highlights the importance of fostering equitable opportunities and strengthening protections for female migrant workers, and challenging broader societal hierarchies that reinforce exclusion. Ultimately, this research contributes to the ongoing discourse on migration and social justice by offering actionable insights into the structural reforms needed to empower female migrant workers and reduce global inequalities. The findings advocate for a comprehensive approach that prioritizes human rights, promotes fairness and dignity, and dismantles the systemic injustices that continue to place this group at risk of exclusion.

The importance of health for social justice has increased since the end of the 20th century, particularly following the recognition in the 1995 Copenhagen Declaration that "people are entitled to a healthy and productive life in harmony with the environment." However, a majority of people worldwide still do not enjoy good health. Numerous efforts have been made by the international community to address this situation in line with the principles of equity and social justice. The agenda 2030 serves as a remarkable example of these efforts, positioning health at the centre of the program, acknowledging the existence of social determinants of health, and affirming the necessity to tackle the causes of health inequities and attend to the needs of disadvantaged groups. Individuals with rare diseases face specific risks and challenges primarily due to unmet health needs stemming from a lack of research and development of suitable medical technologies. In this article, we explore the reasons explaining the injustices faced by these patients, as well as ways in which a human rights-based approach to people with rare diseases can provide arguments in favour of States' action. By considering the right to science as a complementary right to the right to health, we argue that States must promote the science for treating rare diseases and render applications of science accessible and affordable, thereby contributing to the realisation of a just and equitable society.

The lack of innovative teaching strategies causes problems in learning mathematics, which is considered essential for developing logical and critical thinking in individuals. The way mathematics is taught today faces significant challenges, ranging from motivational issues to to the potential inclusion of gamification in the educational process. The purpose of the research was to determine the impact of gamification strategies in learning addition and subtraction operations with fractions among seventh-grade students in Basic General Education. The study followed a quantitative approach with a pre-experimental design, working with a single experimental group of 31 students, employing both bibliographic and field methods. For data collection, a test was administered to assess aspects related to the theory and contextualized practice of adding and subtracting fractions. The results showed that in the pre-test, the scores had an average of 6.69, placing students in the “close to achieving the required learning” category, according to the Regulations of the Organic Law of Education. After the implementation of gamification strategies, the post-test scores showed an average of 8.85, placing them in the “achieves the required learning” category, demonstrating the effectiveness of the intervention. The study concluded that gamification strategies help students understand fraction concepts and learn mathematics, leading to improved academic performance.

Peasant family farming in Ecuador is responsible for producing over two-thirds of the food required to sustain the country's nutrition and significantly contributes to agricultural exports. Despite this, rural areas in Ecuador experience the highest levels of poverty, leading to widespread undernutrition, particularly among pregnant women and infants. This stark disparity presents a social justice issue that demands urgent attention. Some analysts argue that the inefficiencies of peasant agriculture contributes  these issues, labelling it as unsustainable due to its perceived low productivity and profitability. However, such assessments often overlook the sector's crucial role in food security, biodiversity preservation, and environmental balance. Family farming sustains local food supplies and promotes ecological stability through diverse, sustainable practices. Public policy orientation, particularly in support of small-scale farmers, is essential in determining these rural communities' sustainability and improved livelihoods, especially in the face of increasing pressures from modern corporate agriculture. Addressing these structural inequalities is key to ensuring that peasant family farming is economically viable, socially just, and environmentally sustainable.