Presented by: Carlos Quesada, West Virginia University

Email: cquesada85@hotmail.com

Abstract: Whitefly is a very important pest in tomatoes and other agricultural crops worldwide. The use of insecticides is the most common control method for whiteflies. The objective of this study was to determine the concentration of the active ingredient imidacloprid in the honeydew excreted by the whitefly. The insecticide was applied to the soil at the dose indicated on the label. The honeydew was collected in Petri dishes from day 1 to day 4 after application and from day 5 to day 8. The honeydew was analyzed to determine the concentration of imidacloprid using HPLC-MS/MS. The results indicate that imidacloprid can be excreted by the whitefly. Between days 1 and 4 after application, the concentrations of imidacloprid were 180 ng/30 ml in a volume of 39 mm3 of honeydew. At 5-8 days after application, the concentration of imidacloprid was 218 ng/30 ml in a volume of 25 mm3 of honeydew. Although the volume of honeydew decreased, the concentration of imidacloprid increased numerically. In conclusion, the concentration of imidacloprid in the honeydew can be toxic to beneficial insects such as predators and parasitoids that feed on it.

Presented By: Anyi Reyes, Auburn University

Email: anyireyesmu66@gmail.com

Abstract: Cotton is considered an economically important crop worldwide, with the United States being one of the primary global producers. Cotton is affected by several pathogens, including viruses. In the United States, cotton leafroll dwarf virus (CLRDV) has gained high attention since its recent report in Alabama and other states of the cotton belt. The objective of this study was to validate putative viral sequences obtained from metatranscriptomics data of CLRDV-infected samples collected from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and North Carolina. Primers were designed using putative viral sequences. A two-step reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) protocol was used to perform thermocycling conditioning using a gradient PCR approach. PCR products of the expected size were obtained from four putative viral sequences of members of the families Solemoviridae, Mitoviridae, Botourmiaviridae, and Leviviridae. Only samples collected from Alabama and Florida yielded positive results by RT-PCR. PCR products were Sanger-sequenced, and a Blastn search confirmed the identity of the putative viruses. The information generated in this study expands our understanding of the virome of cotton and will facilitate the development of integrated strategies for crop management and disease mitigation

Presented By: Cesar Escalante, Auburn University/USDA-ARS

Email: cesare@auburn.edu

Abstract: Using high-throughput sequencing (HTS) techniques has revolutionized the discovery and characterization of previously identified or novel pathogens infecting crop plants. This study aimed to characterize the virome of cotton planted in several regions of the southern United States. Cotton leaf samples were collected from cotton sentinel plots located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Total RNA was extracted, and libraries were prepared to be sequenced in an Illumina platform. Sequence reads were de novo assembled into contigs. A total of 336 viral contigs were assembled. Approximately 54 sequences were characterized as full viral genomes. The results obtained in this investigation expand our understanding of the abundance and diversity of viruses in cotton agroecosystems and set the stage for further studies to better characterize viruses with potential economic importance in cotton.

Presented By: Magdiel Lopez Soriano, University of Missouri

Email: mlopezsoriano@missouri.edu

Abstract: Castration is one of the husbandries practices that raises criticism from the consumers because it inflicts stress trough the tissue damage that is caused by the incision made in the scrotal area of a newborn piglet. The objective of this trail was to evaluate the efficacy of a topical protective barrier on wound healing, inflammation, and secondary infection using surgical castration of swine as a model. One-hundred and ninety piglets male enrolled in this trial came from 51 litters. Piglets were individually identified using ear tags (Allflex Global Piglet ear tags, Allflex Livestock Intelligence, Madison, WI). Piglets were weighed, temperature recorded, castrated and randomly allocated to one of six treatment groups:
1) Control castrates plus iodine (n=32)
2) Oinkment® (n=32).
3) Zinc oxide (n=31).
4) PhytoCare (n=31).
5) Vetericyn Plus® (n=32).
6) Control intact boars (n=32):
All data were analyzed using SAS version 9.4 (SAS Institute Inc., Raleigh, NC). The was no effect of treatment on average daily gain, treatments did not affect haptoglobin concentrations, prostaglandin metabolite or histopathology measurements. Overall, sham castrated piglets had lower temperatures than the rest of the treatments. No treatment was found to be effective in improving the wound healing in surgical castrated piglets.

Presented By: Katheryn Parraga-Estrada, Virginia Tech

Email: kparraga@vt.edu

Abstract: Virginia Tech – Virginia Seafood AREC is a center for investigation, extension, and outreach for the seafood industry. As part of our mission, we work with several stakeholders to determine their needs and develop programs to support them. The Quality, Food Safety and Outreach program has several programs such as trainings (Seafood HACCP, Sanitation Control Procedures, Good Manufacturing Practices, etc.), outreach programs (Eat More Fish), and extension (technical assistance and chemical and microbial analyses). This presentation aims to connect with Honduran seafood companies that could work with us in research or extension activities such as imports/exports, food safety issues, and regulation compliance

Presented By: José E. Solórzano, University of Minnesota

Email: ortiz432@umn.edu

Abstract: Tar spot is a disease of corn (Zea mays L.) caused by the obligate parasitic fungus Phyllachora maydis. The disease has been occurring in Honduras since 1967 and was initially identified in Mexico in 1904. In 2015, it was reported in the United States (Indiana and Illinois) for the first time and is currently present in 19 states, causing considerable losses in corn production. In the U.S., P. maydis is the only fungus associated with the disease, unlike reports made outside of the U.S. Through research currently conducted by the Department of Plant Pathology at the University of Minnesota, we provide information to understand the biology, host range of P. maydis, and the necessary conditions for the initiation, establishment, and development of the disease. As a result, two methods have been developed to study the disease in the field and under controlled conditions, and tests are currently being conducted to determine the range of possible hosts in an analysis that combines phylogenetic and phylogenomic studies. This research will provide information for future studies aimed at mitigating and managing tar spot

Presented By: Juan Jose Chavez Mulet, DISAGRO

Email: Jchavez@disagro.com

Abstract: Boosting the marketability of agricultural products, particularly those for export, demands nowadays, beyond the quality and safety of the product per se, which remain valid but not sufficient, focusing on how they are produced in the field.

In this sense, soil microorganisms can be an invaluable resource for understanding their biological dimension with the crop to improve agronomic practices towards better productivity and profitability, and also serve as an objective indicator correlating with the degree of sustainability of an agricultural operation. The configuration, structure, functionality, and interrelation of the soil microbiome are a bioindicator of the degree of anthropogenic intervention in crops.

This presentation will showcase real examples from the Central American region of how metagenomics, integrating innovative analysis tools, is helping us understand the dynamics of soil biology and becoming an effective resource to enhance efficiency, profitability, and sustainability in agricultural production.

Presented by: Magdiel Lopez Soriano, Magdiel Lopez Soriano

Email: mlopezsoriano@missouri.edu

Abstract: The objectives of this study were to determine the efficacy of inguinal buffered lidocaine (BL) and FM in mitigating castration pain in piglets. Piglets were randomly assigned to eight treatments. Blood was collected 24h prior to castration, 1h, and 24h post castration for cortisol and prostaglandin E2 quantification. Average cortisol and prostaglandin E2 concentrations did not differ at -24h (P>0.05) or at 24h post-castration (P>0.05) among treatments. At 1h post-castration, castrated piglets (C and CL) demonstrated greater cortisol concentrations. Castrated piglets in the CF and CLF group had lower cortisol concentrations compared to C and CL-treated pigs (P<0.05). In addition to this, at 1h post-castration, piglets in groups that received intranasal flunixin had (P ≤ 0.009) lower PGE2 concentrations that piglets that did not receive intranasal flunixin (SLF vs SL, CF vs C, and CLF vs CL). Intranasal FM was able to effectively reduce the physiological piglet’s response immediately post-castration. Inguinal buffered lidocaine had no effect on the physiological or behavioral response to pain. Long-term research should focus on refining injection techniques for inguinal BL and consider administration frequency and dosing of intranasal FM to control pain for a longer period post-castration.

Presented By: Ricardo Alexander Peña Venegas, Zamorano University

Email: rpena@zamorano.edu

Abstract: The AMF act as an extension of the root facilitating P absorption. Previous studies have demonstrated the effect of AMF on cassava productivity in low-P soils. In fact, there has been a belief that the benefit the plant can obtain from AMF inoculation decreases with increasing P level in the soil as the plant without the assistance of AMF obtains the required P. Therefore, it is commonly expected that the plant’s best response to AMF occurs under lower soil P levels. It has also been shown that intraspecific variation in Rhizophagus irregularis, one of the most studied AMF, has a clear effect on cassava yield with the recommended full P dose, showing the great agricultural potential that the genetic variability of R. irregularis can have. Field trials in three African locations evaluated the effect of different genetic lines of R. irregularis on cassava productivity under different P levels

Presented By: Katheryn Parraga-Estrada, Virginia Tech

Email: kparraga@vt.edu

Abstract: Catfish is considered an invasive species in the Chesapeake Bay of Virginia, USA. This species was introduced into Virginia’s rivers in the 1970s and over time has migrated to saltwater. Currently, around 80% of the bay’s biomass is covered by catfish. There are many initiatives to increase the consumption of this fish and promote fishermen’s interest in catching it, as well as encouraging processing companies to see it as a marketable product. In collaboration with Louisiana State University, a study was conducted to determine the best way to preserve the fish so that it can have a longer shelf life since processors have restricted schedules due to inspection. After the study, it was observed that the use of ice (1:2) applied after fishing helps maintain freshness and microbiological levels at an acceptable level. This provides more time for the processor to handle the product and keep it in the market with high quality and safety

Presented By: Emerson Josue Martinez Jimenez, UNAG

Email: ejmartinez@unag.edu.hn

Abstract: Microbial metabolites produced during fermentation migrate into the seed and can influence the decrease in seed viability and coffee quality. The effects of physiological changes in seed viability on beverage sensory quality were evaluated using starter cultures through self-induced anaerobic fermentation (SIAF) in Coffea arabica L. in natural and pulped coffee. Yeasts were monitored using real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) detected citric, lactic, malic, and succinic acids. Volatile compounds (40) were detected using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Alterations in physiological quality were identified, with decreased embryo viability and cell membrane damage through tetrazolium and electrical conductivity tests. All fermented coffees scored above 80 points. The best sensory scores were for Torulospora delbrueckii (86.50) in pulped coffee and Candida parapsilosis (85.90) in natural coffee, characterized by aromas and flavors of citrus, caramel, honey, chocolate, and chestnut. Fermentation affected seed viability but not beverage sensory quality, favoring the production of specialty coffees with differentiated sensory characteristics.

Presented By: Adrian Contreras, Universidade Federal de Lavras

Email: adrianconter0908@gmail.com

Abstract: Nitrogen (N) is the most limiting nutrient for growth and productivity. Ethylene is a hormone that plays an important role in integrating events related to plant growth and development. Details on plant physiology under nutritional stress conditions due to variations in the N source and alterations in the metabolism of this hormone are still scarce. In this study, tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Micro-Tom) of wild type (WT), as a control, and their hormonal mutant Never ripe (Nr), which is ethylene insensitive, were used and grown in nutrient solutions under different N sources. The purpose was to understand the interaction between the sources and ethylene perception. During the experiment, growth parameters and metabolic profile were evaluated. These same parameters in mutant plants were significantly altered when treated only with 100% NH4+ and 100% NO3- compared to WT plants. The data found here confirm that tomato plants show a greater productive response to NO3-; however, it is also clear that alterations in ethylene perception allow the plant to better assimilate N.

Presented by: Rolando Orellana, University of Georgia  

Email: jrolando@uga.edu

Abstract: The turf industry extends worldwide and contributes nearly $84 billion to the United States economy (National Golf Foundation (NGF), 2016). It is estimated that there are approximately 62 million acres of turf in the United States alone, making it the fourth largest crop in terms of area (Chawla et al., 2018). Pyricularia grisea and Rhizoctonia solani, Clarireedia sp, and Bipolaris spp. cause various diseases in different types of warm-season and/or cool-season turf, making them highly prevalent worldwide. For example, Brown Patch (R. solani) causes diseases in bentgrasses, bluegrasses, fescues, and ryegrasses (Tredway, L.P. et al., 2006). Rhizoctonia solani also causes large patch, a disease of warm-season grasses, including Bermuda grass, centipede grass, St. Augustine grass, and zoysia grass (Butler L. et al., 2019). Overall, turf foliar diseases are more severe under conditions of poor drainage, high compaction, thick thatch layers, long periods of leaf moisture, low cutting heights, excessive mechanical damage, and high nitrogen fertilization.

Presented By: Magdiel Lopez Soriano, University of Missouri 

Email: mlopezsoriano@missouri.edu

Abstract: In Honduras, the demand for pork is not met by domestic production, resulting in a negative trade balance. The objective of this presentation is to provide a series of strategies and technologies used by players in the pork industry in the U.S. that can be applied in Central America to promote pork production and supply. Some of the strategies include linking actors in a value chain format, the organizational structure of pork producer associations, parallel research from state universities, extension programs, and government-created conditions to protect producers, among others. As for technologies, water curtains, induction of farrowing, introduction or development of adapted breeds, biosecurity programs, and the use of computer programs to compile individual records on larger farms can be implemented. In conclusion, Honduras has enormous potential for pork production; however, efforts must be unified among producers, government authorities, agricultural universities, and input providers

Presented By: Mauricio Lagos, Colegio Postgraduados, Campus Montecillo, México.

Email: lagos.mauricio@colpos.mx

Abstract: The bruchids (Coleoptera: Bruchidae), also known as seed beetles, comprise more than 1,700 described species and have preferential hosts within the Fabaceae family. They gain economic importance due to the damage they primarily cause to grains and seeds. The most recent study on bruchids in Honduras was conducted by Turnbow et al. (2003). The objective of this work is to provide a detailed description of each species recorded in Honduras and to develop a taxonomic key for genera and species, including images of adults and male genitalia, along with their host plants. Sampling was carried out in 17 of the 18 departments of Honduras during 2022 and 2023, using the methodology described by Shultze-Kraft (1979). In each sampling site, indirect collection was performed by taking pods and fruits from plants associated with bruchids. A total of 276 samples have been processed, resulting in 55 species of bruchids, belonging to 14 genera and three subfamilies, as well as four new species and eight new records for Honduras. Further studies are required to increase and understand the species richness of Honduras. This work serves as a baseline for other studies in different areas and contributes to the scientific knowledge of insects

Presented By: Héctor Alonzo Gómez Gómez, UNAG

Email: hgomez@unag.edu.hn

Abstract: The aim of this study was to formulate probiotic functional beverages using underutilized fruit pulps, such as purple custard apple (Annona purpurea), urraco (Licania platypus), white sapote (Casimiroa edulis), jaboticaba (Plinia cauliflora), and whey. Physicochemical characteristics of the pulps were evaluated, and subsequently, beverages were prepared using whey and pulps, then inoculated with a mixed culture of lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus delbrueckii, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, and Streptococcus thermophilus). Physicochemical and sensory analyses were conducted on the beverages to determine the acceptability index (AI). Colony-forming units (CFU) were quantified after fermentation. Purple custard apple pulp stood out for its vitamin A content with 334.37 IU mg/100 g and 444.49 mg/100 g of potassium. In terms of sensory characteristics, the purple custard apple beverage was the best evaluated in terms of color, aroma, flavor, and overall acceptability, with AI scores of 78%, 71%, 70%, and 71%, respectively. The urraco, purple custard apple, and white sapote beverages exhibited values of 10.9, 10.4, and 9.7 Log10 CFU/mL, respectively. These results indicate that the formulated fruits and beverages possess technological potential, provide functional and probiotic benefits, and exhibit attractive sensory characteristics for consumers. This innovative approach represents an alternative to improve nutrition by leveraging local resources and agroindustrial waste.

Presented By: Kensy Rodriguez-Herrera, Cornell University

Email: kdr66@cornell.edu

Abstract: Cucurbit yellow vine disease (CYVD) is caused by the bacterium Serratia marcescens, a disease that affects cucurbits. This bacterium is transmitted by the squash bug (Anasa tristis), a common pest in cucurbits. Our aim was to determine the squash bug’s preference for different cucurbit species and its relationship with CYVD incidence in the field. We used 12 cultivars from six cucurbit species. Each week, we collected data on the quantity of adults, nymphs, and eggs per plot and the number of diseased plants with CYVD. We found that the number of squash bugs was highest on July 31, 2023, followed by a high incidence of CYVD on August 9, 2023. There was a significant difference in the average number of squash bugs per species, with Cucurbita pepo and C. moschata being the most preferred and Citrullus lanatus and Cucumis melo being the least preferred. CYVD incidence was also significantly different and higher in C. pepo, C. maxima, and C. moschata. These findings help document the dynamics of squash bug populations and the risk of CYVD incidence.

Presented By: Jorge Cardona,  UNAG

Email: jcardona@unag.edu.hn

Abstract: The Talgua River Sub-basin presents a hydrological dynamic that is still unknown. This research aims to determine the spatiotemporal chemical facies in the micro-watersheds of Río Seco (RS), Quebrada de Agua (QA), and Quebrada Pinabetal (PB) which are part of the Talgua River Sub-basin. Sampling points are located in the upper area of each micro-watershed (3 sites), as well as 2 wells at different depths: Shallow Well (SW) and Deep Well (DW) (approximately 5 and 35 m, respectively). Samples were taken during the dry and rainy seasons. The predominant chemical facies in the SW, DW, and PB points are of the bicarbonate-calcium type, while RS and QA show well-mixed waters of the mixed type tending to chloride-sodium. In the case of groundwater, DW and SW are similar to each other. As for surface waters, RS and QA present waters with longer residence times, contrary to PB, which presents younger waters and recent infiltration

Presented By: Norman Matute Romero, Proyecto Mi Biosfera, Universidad Nacional de Agricultura y Universidad de Córdoba

Email: normanmatuter@gmail.com

Abstract: The loss and fragmentation of habitats are the main environmental causes affecting biodiversity. So, what is the effect of landscape fragmentation or habitat loss on wildlife in the RHBRP? We analyzed species diversity and landscape variables at scales of 100 and 500 meters using a database of birds and bats, calculating three diversity indices: Shannon, Simpson, and Richness, in three microhabitats: Mature forests, Productive systems, and Grasslands. We calculated landscape composition and configuration variables through GIS. Habitat amount was the major predictor of biodiversity variability at the landscape scale, being more important at larger scales (500 m), especially in productive systems, which were the most important microhabitat for diversity. Fragmentation was less significant and depended on the landscape scale and taxonomic group, having negative effects on bird variability at 100 and 500 meters and positive effects on bats at 500 meters due to the mobile capacity of species and the subdivision of the forest, which allows the isolation of competitors for habitat dominance

Presented By: Gustavo Ardon, UNAG

Email: gardon@unag.edu.hn

Abstract: The document used a Markov chain model to test the economic disparities that Central American countries, including Honduras, face in poultry product trade compared to the United States. Additionally, it presents a multiple regression to estimate productivity differentiated by business size using dichotomous variables representing micro, small, and medium poultry enterprises in the country. The results suggest that productivity index will be higher when the age of bird slaughter is lower and when the size of the enterprise increases.

Presented By: Roy Menjivar, UNAG

Email: rmenjivar@unag.edu.hn

Abstract: There are few studies on the compatibility of endophytic fungi (EF) with different agricultural management systems, such as those based on chemical control, and even fewer integrating them into commercial microbiological control. EFs have demonstrated a high level of tolerance to the use of market fungicides, and it has also been shown that they are capable of colonizing agricultural hosts of different taxonomic families such as grasses, solanaceous, and cucurbitaceae. As part of the various mechanisms of action, the induction of resistance and growth promotion has been identified, as well as others that have been shown to modify the concentrations of metabolites emitted by leaves and/or root exudates, causing the host to express antixenosis and antibiosis against various pests such as Bemisia tabaci, Aphis gossypii, Spodoptera frugiperda, as well as against diseases caused by Radopholus, Meloydogine, and Ralstonia. With the pressure from new markets for organic and recently ecological production systems, we must consider that the greater efficiency of endophytes is through the interaction and stability they can achieve as part of the microbiome, which allows us to think that in a short time we will be able to have biofertilizers that can restore biodiversity and lost interaction to the agroecosystem.