Vol. 36 No. NE-1 (2026): XXVIII Congreso Internacional en Ciencias Agrícolas
Artículos de investigación

Isolation and molecular identification of plagues and diseases during storage in fruits of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) in Baja California and Sonora

Jessica Eunice Contreras Espinoza Universidad Autonoma de Baja California
Blancka Yesenia Samaniego Gámez Universidad Autonoma de Baja California
Samuel Uriel Samaniego Gámez Universidad Autonoma de Baja California
Fidel Nuñez Ramirez Universidad Autonoma de Baja California
Daniel González Mendoza Universidad Autonoma de Baja California
Oscar Alberto Moreno Valenzuela Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán
Yereni Minero García Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán
Raúl Enrique Valle Gough Universidad Autónoma de Baja California

Published 2026-09-23

How to Cite

Contreras Espinoza, J. E., Samaniego Gámez, B. Y., Samaniego Gámez, S. U., Nuñez Ramirez, F., González Mendoza, D., Moreno Valenzuela, O. A., Minero García, Y., & Valle Gough, R. E. (2026). Isolation and molecular identification of plagues and diseases during storage in fruits of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) in Baja California and Sonora. Acta Universitaria, 36(NE-1), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.15174/au.2026.4966

Abstract

The increase in monoculture and the proximity of North American production areas have augmented the incidence of pests and diseases in date palms (Phoenix dactylifera) in northwestern of Mexico. Therefore, the objective of this study was the molecular identification microorganisms and insects in date fruits during postharvest in Baja California and Sonora, for diagnostic and prospective purposes. Different species of Aspergillus (Aspergillus costaricensis and Aspergillus tubingensis) were identified as potential growth promoters. Wallemia sebi, an extremophile fungi associated with the spoilage of dried fruits and capable of producing mycotoxins, was also detected. Two postharvest insect species of date palms (Ectomyelois ceratoniae and Carpophilus hemipterus) were molecularly identified. Finally, the first report of Bemisia tabaci in date fruits, an insect capable of spreading dangerous viral diseases in the crop, is noteworthy. This research provides key biological tools for designing future effective phytosanitary strategies in the region.

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