Introduction: The Sonoran desert shows degradation, risk of desertification and loss of biodiversity. A typical plant of the area is the Mexican ironwood (Olneya tesota), with ecological, economic and social importance. Objectives: To evaluate germination, survival and growth of Mexican ironwood seeds sown in degraded soil, conserved soil, agricultural soil and nursery in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico. Methodology: Annual experiments were carried out from 2017 to 2019, with 1450 Mexican ironwood seeds sown directly in degraded and conserved arid soils, and in soil patches (bare, with grasses, under tree, in accumulation zones and with herbivory protections). The experiment was conducted under controlled conditions of humidity, nursery and irrigated agricultural soil. Results: Seed germination was 0 to 20 % in degraded soils, with zero annual survival. The application of irrigation and herbivory protection led higher germination (16 to 78 %) and annual survival (0 to 50 %). Annual survival in patches of conserved soil ranged from 0 to 30. The highest germination (84 %), annual survival (74 %) and annual growth (84.7 cm) were observed in agricultural soil and drip irrigation. Limitations of the study: The results correspond to three years of evaluations. Originality: There are no detailed studies on the limitations of establishing ironwood plants. Conclusions: Netting protection increases germination, survival and height of ironwood plants in degraded soils. It is possible to initiate ironwood forest plantations on agricultural land with drip irrigation.

Introduction: Copturus aguacatae is one of the most important pests of avocado plantations in Estado de México. The presence of this insect represents a risk for avocado production.
Objectives: To study the spatial behavior of adult population of C. aguacatae using geostatistical techniques in avocado plantations in Estado de México.
Methodology: A total of 400 7-year-old cv. Hass trees were selected and georeferenced in the municipalities of Temascaltepec and Tenancingo, Estado de México. Adult insects of C. aguacatae were collected using sticky traps baited with a commercial adhesive. For geostatistical analysis, experimental semivariograms were performed and fitted with theoretical models using the Variowin program. Infected surface maps were generated with the ordinary kriging technique, and graphical representation was provided with the Surfer 16 software.
Results: The spatial behavior of the insect is observed in clusters within the plots. In some months, infestations were distributed over 100 % of the surface, but with variable population densities. These results can improve pest detection and sampling programs, as well as control measures on specific areas of infestation.
Study limitations: No insects during some sampling periods.
Originality: Use of geostatistical methods as a tool to know the spatial distribution of pests in the avocado plantations in Mexico.
Conclusions: Including geostatistical methods in the management of C. aguacatae can help avocado growers, because it it provides a more precise knowledge of their spatial behavior.

Introduction: The recent development of UV LEDs has allowed us to investigate the germicidal effect with different wavelengths in the UV spectrum including type A. Objective: To develop and evaluate a UV-A LED irradiation system at an emission peak of 374 nm, controlled through an automatic routine, and integrated into a semi-industrial mechatronic system designed for fresh products disinfection
Methodology: Fresh products (garlic, serrano pepper, and tomato) were used to evaluate the benefits and functionality of the System. The irradiation doses established for the experiment were 7.9, 23.7, 47.4 and 71.1 J·cm^-2. The temperature of each product was monitored throughout the treatment.
Results: The maximum germicidal effect in garlic, serrano pepper, and tomato was 1.25, 1.05 and 1.24 Log, respectively with a dose of 71.1 J·cm^-2. The irradiation emission does not present secondary effects on the weight and color of each fresh product. Obtaining maximum values of 40, 41.9 and 38.3 °C in garlic, serrano pepper, and tomato, respectively in temperature.
Study limitations: The high time required for disinfection due to the low efficiency of UV-A LEDs.
Originality: The system was designed and developed for the agro-industrial sector considering that it can be inserted as a process within the production line. Ensuring the safety of food is possible to control the doses and irradiation time of each product.
Conclusions: These results allow us to use UV-A as an alternative method for the disinfection of fresh produce.

Introduction: The Richards equation or a simplification, such as the Green and Ampt equation, is mainly used to describe the flow of water in the soil. The Richards equation produces accurate results, but lacks general analytical solutions, so the Green and Ampt equation is used as an intermediate way of modeling the phenomenon by maintaining physical-mathematical bases in the representation.
Objective: To optimize the parameters of saturated hydraulic conductivity and wetting front suction of the Green and Ampt equation by means of a nonlinear optimization algorithm, and to validate the solution to optimize the parameters as a function of soil textures.
Methodology: The Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm was used to estimate the infiltration parameters of the Green and Ampt equation, and the initial pair of values was taken according to soil texture.
Results: This model was used to calculate the hydraulic conductivity parameters at saturation and wetting front suction.
Study limitations: A homogeneous soil column and a constant initial moisture content were considered for the whole column.
Originality: The optimization algorithm was oriented to keep the parameter values within the range established in the textural classes.
Conclusions: An optimization algorithm was implemented to estimate the parameters K_s and h_f by solving the Green and Ampt equation, which included code performance review and experimental validation with infiltration tests