ABSTRACT.- Pears are widely cultivated in the world. Uruguayan production covers 628 ha. Practically, in its entirety, European-type pear trees (Pyrus communis L.) are grown, and the most planted cultivar is Williams. Most of the orchards in Uruguay are managed without the use of pollinating cultivars. Pear production in recent years has not been stable, with the lack of pollinators one of the main factors that could be influencing this.

ABSTRACT.- Several studies have used aerial images to predict physiological maturity (R8 stage) in soybeans (Glycine max (L.) Merr.). However, information for making predictions in the current growing season using models fitted in previous years is still necessary. Using the Random Forest machine learning algorithm and time series of RGB (red, green, blue) and multispectral images taken from a drone, this work aimed to study, in three breeding experiments of plant rows, how maturity predictions are impacted by a number of factors.

ABSTRACT.- Crop type classification with satellite imageries is widely applied to support sustainable agricultural practices and for continuous crop monitoring [1], [2], [3]. In this work, we present a study for the classification of winter crops on a nationwide perspective for Uruguay. We have analyzed Uruguay's three most widely extended winter crops: wheat, barley, and rapeseed. We have trained a classifier based on XGBoost that uses temporal series built from Sentinel-2 image data.

ABSTRACT.- Diaphorina citri poses a serious threat to citrus. Here, the nymphicidal activity of mineral and soybean oils, organosilicon, and citrus-essential-oil-derived adjuvants was evaluated. Additionally, mineral and soybean oils were studied for antifeedant and repellent effects on adults. Residual effect on the parasitoid Tamarixia radiata was also assessed. Nymphicidal activity ranged between 65-83%, with Silwet enhancing mineral and soybean oil efficacy. Evaluated soybean and mineral oil exhibited comparable antifeedant and repellent effects on adults.

ABSTRACT.- Western equine encephalitis virus (WEEV) is a mosquito-borne arbovirus (genus Alphavirus, family Togaviridae) that has re-emerged in South America in late 2023, causing severe disease in both horses and humans after a nearly 40-year intermission period. We here describe the virological, serological, pathological, and molecular features of WEEV infection in horses during the 2023-2024 outbreak in Argentina.

ABSTRACT.- Question: Understanding the patterns of alien plant invasions and their underlying drivers is a key step in conserving the remaining native grasslands of Uruguay. We addressed the level of invasion by considering the four invasive alien plants of these ecosystems, Cynodon dactylon, Eragrostis plana, Senecio madagascariensis and Ulex europaeus, throughout the country. Location: Remnant native grasslands of Uruguay, constituting part of the Río de la Plata grasslands.

ABSTRACT.- Waterlogging is a critical abiotic stress increasing in importance due to more intense, erratic rainfall associated with climate change. Waterlogging leads to significant yield losses in sensitive crops, such as soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.). Identifying soybean genotypes and traits associated with better waterlogging tolerance is of high interest. We assessed the response of six soybean genotypes, selected from a field screening of over 190 genotypes, to 10 days of waterlogging at the R1 (onset of flowering) and R4 (grain filling) stages.

ABSTRACT.- South American beef production varies due to diverse climates, environmental conditions, animal breeds (Bos indicus, Bos taurus and crossbreeds), management strategies, and nutritional sources. Applying technology in the South American beef production system can significantly enhance efficiency, sustainability, and profitability. Reproductive efficiency is a significant challenge, especially in cow-calf operation systems conducted under adverse conditions. Consequently, implementing effective assisted reproduction technologies (ART) can make a significant contribution.

ABSTRACT.- Numerous conservation and regeneration practices are recognized as effective strategies in the management of soil health (SH), a critical factor for ensuring the sustainability of food production systems. Despite their acknowledged importance, the multifaceted impacts of these practices often lead to confounding effects, and reliance on generic categorization of agronomic practices often falls short in portraying the drivers of SH. We advocate for a paradigm shift from a label-centric approach to one rooted in processes.

ABSTRACT.- Heme and iron metabolic pathways are highly intertwined, both compounds being essential for key biological processes, yet becoming toxic if overabundant.Their concentrations are exquisitely regulated, including via dedicated two-component systems (TCSs) that sense signals and regulate adaptive responses.HemKR is a TCS present in both saprophytic and pathogenic Leptospira species, involved in the control of heme metabolism.However, the molecular means by which HemKR is switched on/off in a signal-dependent way, are still unknown.Moreover, a comprehensive list of HemKR-regulated ge