Interview: Raymundo Saul Garcia Estrada – Researcher at CIAD Culiacan
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In an exclusive interview for Veggies from Mexico, Dr. Raymundo Saul García Estrada, a senior researcher at the Center for Research in Food and Development (CIAD) in Culiacan, shares insights from his academic journey and collaborative efforts with private companies. His expertise lies in postharvest processes of fruits and vegetables, benefiting Sinaloa’s agricultural sector and the broader Mexican produce industry.
Dr. García Estrada has been involved in several pivotal projects benefiting the fresh produce industry in Sinaloa. Notably, his research includes the determination of the susceptibility of commercial bell pepper hybrids to tobacco blue mold—a joint effort with the Commission for the Investigation and Defense of Sinaloa’s Vegetables and the Confederation of Agricultural Associations of the State of Sinaloa (CIDH-CAADES) and the Mexican Association of Protected Horticulture (AMHPAC) in 2018. This research aims to facilitate the commercialization of bell peppers in Asian countries. Additionally, he has conducted investigations into the Tomato Rough Virus, a bacterial pathogen transmitted through seeds. He has provided science-based solutions to growers, addressing critical challenges.
1. Could you please share your professional background and how you became interested in scientific research?
My academic background includes a degree in agronomic sciences with a specializing in Agricultural Parasitology from the Faculty of Agronomy at the Autonomous University of Sinaloa (UAS). Since my student days, I have been drawn to the plant diseases study. Later, (in 1976) as a professor, I pursued a master’s degree (completed in 1984) and a doctorate (completed in 1994) at the postgraduate school in Montecillos, State of Mexico. Immediately after that, I started as a full-time professor “C”; My training as a Phytopathologist led me to teach related courses. In September 1994, I began my independent research journey at CIAD, focusing on postharvest diseases of fruits and vegetables for Sinaloa and Mexico’s agricultural sector. I’ve also advised agricultural companies, international pesticide firms, and vegetable seed companies. Currently, I am a member of the National System of Researchers (SNI) until 2038.
2. Could you elaborate on CIAD and your current projects benefiting Sinaloa’s agricultural industry?
The Center for Research in Food and Development (CIAD) is a public institution directly linked to the National Council of Humanities, Sciences, and Technologies (CONAHCYT), overseeing 27 research centers across Mexico with headquarters in Hermosillo, Sonora, and sub-headquarters in different parts of Mexico with diverse lines of research according to the production systems of each State in cities as Guaymas, Culiacan, Mazatlán, Chihuahua, Delicias, Cuauhtémoc, Nayarit, Hidalgo, and Michoacán. In Culiacán, CIAD addresses agricultural sector challenges, emphasizing food safety, value-added processes, toxicology, biotechnology, and horticulture. Our work spans both pre-harvest and postharvest stages, with a particular focus on phytopathology.
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3.- Could you explain your area of expertise, phytopathology, and what controls or advantages it provides for the fresh produce production industry?
Phytopathology is a branch of biology and microbiology that studies all microbes and abiotic factors that cause or induce plant diseases. Specifically, we primarily work with microorganisms such as fungi, bacteria, nematodes, viruses, and phytoplasmas. These pathogens consistently cause different diseases across various crops, resulting in varying economic losses year after year.
Timely, rapid, and accurate determination of the causes of crop damage is critical. Our primary goal is to minimize economic losses resulting from these diseases. To achieve this, we delve into understanding the alterations caused by specific pathogens, their distribution patterns, and their degree of aggressiveness. We explore various mechanisms to counteract these damages, including legal regulations such as the General Plant Health Law, establishment of optimal sowing dates, use of certified phytopathogen-free seeds, and consideration of environmental conditions conducive to pathogen control. Additionally, we employ appropriate disease management methods, including genetic, chemical, and biological approaches.
The field of phytopathology significantly benefits fresh produce production in our agricultural industry. In Culiacan, our phytopathology team conducts daily diagnostic analyses of agricultural products across Mexico, providing timely and reliable insights. These analyses empower growers in decision-making with effective tools to address potential problems before they escalate beyond control.
4. Within your trajectory, which projects do you consider had the greatest positive impact on the agricultural industry in Sinaloa?
There have been several impactful projects throughout our journey. As previously mentioned, providing growers with fast, timely, and 100% reliable diagnoses has been crucial. Since 1994, we’ve focused on combating bacterial cancer, a disease caused by a bacterium transmitted through seeds. To prevent up to 100% damage to tomato crops, we implemented strategies for seed treatment using humid heat (hydrothermal). We simultaneously worked on preventing mechanical transmission of the bacterium within tomato crops.
Within these strategies, we identified the most effective disinfectants, determined optimal doses, and pinpointed the best application timing. Our work in this area laid the foundation for many of the disinfection alternatives currently used in farms and greenhouses. Additionally, we explored biological alternatives for disease control.
For instance, in the case of anthracnose—a common issue across crops—we isolated a strain of the bacterium Bacillus subtilis. After a decade of validation work, we obtained national and international patents for this product, which is now marketed for controlling anthracnose in various crops.
Another significant achievement was breaking the 2006 quarantine for exporting tomato fruits to Japan. In 2018, we pioneered the detection of the tomato rough brown virus using molecular techniques (PCR). We’ve since developed disinfection alternatives and decontaminated seeds potentially contaminated with the virus and the bacterium causing tomato bacterial cancer. Furthermore, since 2019 we’ve been evaluating commercial hybrids resistant or tolerant to the tomato rough brown virus. With luck, in less than six months, we’ll overcome Japan’s quarantine and export bell peppers and mini conical bell pepper to that Asian country. These accomplishments represent just a fraction of our ongoing efforts.
5.- What are your main recommendations for the post-harvest handling of fruit and vegetable products to ensure food safety?
The postharvest handling of fruit and vegetable products is crucial for ensuring foo safety. Since the founding of CIAD Culiacan, this has been a top priority. As coordinators, we were pioneers in addressing postharvest fruit safety in Sinaloa and Mexico. Under the leadership of Dr. Jorge Siller Cepeda in 1994, our institution established key strategies related to good agricultural practices and sound manufacturing or packaging practices.
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Over time, these strategies have evolved to benefit Sinaloa’s growers. Initially, the disorder was common in fields and farms. Basic facilities, such as latrines, were lacking, posing risks to crop safety. Indiscriminate use of highly toxic products also threatened produce quality. Fortunately, today we adhere to approved products, following guidelines set by agencies like the FDA.
Within agricultural premises, we’ve implemented essential protocols. Notably:
- Hand Hygiene: Regular hand disinfection and washing are critical for those in direct contact with the products.
- Material Sanitization: All materials in contact with fruits must be sanitized to prevent contamination.
- Consumer Safety: From farm to consumer, these practices ensure safe handling.
Additionally, CIAD’s prestigious LANIA laboratory, directed by Dr. Cristobal Chaidez Quiroz, played a vital role. In some cases, LANIA’s investigations refuted claims of microbiological contamination in products of Sinaloa during legal proceedings in the USA. These efforts collectively contribute to safer, higher-quality produce.
6. Could you please share with us a brief description of the recent research project: Determination of the susceptibility of commercial hybrids of bell pepper to tobacco blue mold and how it benefits growers in Sinaloa?
In 2018, the initiative for the research project “Determination of the Susceptibility of Commercial Hybrids of Bell Pepper to Tobacco Blue Mold” was launched by CAADES and AMHPAC. The goal was to explore the possibility of opening Japanese trade channels for bell peppers and mini conical peppers exported from Mexico. However, before achieving this, it was crucial to demonstrate that the Peronospora tabacina fungus responsible for tobacco blue mold did not harm bell pepper plants or transmit to the fruits. This is because, since 1940’s, Japan imposed a quarantine on Solanaceae (tomato, chili, eggplant) in many countries, including Mexico.
Japan had imposed a quarantine on solanaceous crops (including tomatoes, chili peppers, and eggplants) since the 1940s. In 2006, the Phytopathology working group at CIAD Culiacan successfully broke the quarantine for tomato exports to Japan. Yet, the situation remained pending for peppers. In 2018, AMHPAC and CAADES renewed their efforts, initiating procedures with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries of Japan (MAFF). The green light was given to collaborate with the Phytopathology area of CIAD Culiacan.
The project involved collecting the tobacco blue mold fungus from tobacco-growing states in Mexico. Inoculations were conducted on eight Bell Pepper materials initially and later expanded to 14 materials. Controlled growth chambers and CIAD research greenhouses were essential for these experiments. Cooperation from seed companies and agricultural firms—such as Tombell in La Cruz Elota and Divemex in Culiacan, Sinaloa—was crucial.
The results were promising: Very similar to tomatoes, bell pepper materials showed no susceptibility to blue mold. In April 2024, MAFF personnel visited, corroborating and ratifying the findings. With these negative infection results, we anticipate breaking the quarantine soon and enabling pepper exports to Japan.
7.- Due to your experience, how do you consider vegetable production in Sinaloa has evolved?
“Since my training as an agronomist in 1977, horticulture has undergone significant changes. Back then, we primarily dealt with crops like tomatoes, chili peppers, cucumbers, and eggplants—plants with determinate or semi-determinate growth, often staked and irrigated. Over time, we embraced innovations such as pressurized drip irrigation, computerized and ferti-irrigation to optimize water use.
The shift toward protected agriculture in Sinaloa—specifically shade greenhouses—was driven by the need to combat pests. These greenhouses allowed longer shelf-life fruits, uniform maturation, and improved productivity. Semi-determinate plants transformed into indeterminate varieties, and production of tons per hectare metrics shifted between open fields and protected environments, impacting both yield and fruit quality.
Protected agriculture also introduced integrated disease management methods and gradually led to organic crop cultivation even where only organic or natural inorganic products are used. However, conventional agriculture in Mexico combines various approaches, including both organic and synthetic products for disease and pest management and crop management
High-tech greenhouses now employ dense plant populations, environmental control systems, and rail-based crop management. Some even use robotics for targeted applications and harvesting. While these advancements have boosted production quantity and quality, timely managing pests and diseases remains a critical challenge.”
8.- How important do you consider scientific research for companies in Sinaloa?
Given that Sinaloa is primarily an agricultural, aquaculture, and livestock state, research plays a crucial role across various levels. Genetic improvement studies are essential, evaluating materials for resistance to salinity, drought, pests, and diseases. Additionally, assessing new molecules and biological control agents —reducing reliance on synthetic chemicals—is vital.
Determining the shelf life of new products is equally important. Depending on their intended destination, finding the optimal shelf life ensures fruits remain fresh during transportation. Unfortunately, we often rely on technology from other countries, and funding for projects benefiting Sinaloa’s agriculture remains limited.
9.- What are CIAD-Culiacan’s research areas linked to Sinaloa’s agricultural industry?
Everything that is done at CIAD-Culiacan is closely linked to the agricultural sector in Sinaloa. In this case, we have the growers’ food technology and biotechnology safety program, which focuses on post-harvest technology for fruits, vegetables, and grains. The goal is to enhance the value of foods by studying their nutritional composition, bioactive properties, nutraceuticals, and their functionality for medicinal and bioenergetic purposes where all the quality parameters, the shelf life of the product, and different alternatives to make the fruits arrive in good condition to the consumer are seen.
We also have a very important area of added value for all those products that do not have high-quality characteristics for both domestic and international markets. These products with no apparent value, instead of being discarded, are used in different ways and this gives the productive sector an opportunity to market these products in a better way.
We have the area of phytopathology, which provides service to the entire Mexican Republic, and we also participate in different sectors of local, national, and international types. We have worked with large agrochemical, seed, and organic input companies. We provide technical advice in the management of different crop problems.
We also have a biotechnology area, which, in this case, could be linked to genetic improvement programs. These are some of the things in which we participate in the productive sector or the agricultural industry of Sinaloa.
10.- There is anything else you would like to add?
Thank you for this interview, which allows me to share my perspectives. Since 1977, I’ve been a researcher, advisor to numerous growers, and trainer for undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students. I appreciate this opportunity and hope my insights can benefit the entire agricultural sector. If anyone reading this interview has questions, feel free to reach out to our Phytopathology laboratory for support. Thank you.