Introduction. Relationships between environmental conditions (climate and soil) and chemical characteristics of banana were studied in Martinique (French West Indies) to contribute to discussions about a quality label based on origin and to help to improve management of banana quality. Materials and methods. Bananas produced at six sites under different conditions and during three periods of the year were harvested at the same stage and ripened under identical conditions. Results. Differences in dry weight and chemical concentrations in the pulp of green fruits were greater between sites than between periods. The pulp dry weight was higher in fruits harvested at the highland site than in fruits harvested at the lowland sites. Differences in Ca and Mg were observed in fruits harvested on vertisol and andosol soils. Fruits produced on brown rust to halloysite soil contained high Mn concentrations. Differences in dry matter, total soluble solids and citric acid concentrations in the pulp of ripe fruits were greater between periods than between sites. Bananas harvested during the hot rainy season had the lowest pulp dry matter and total soluble solids. Bananas harvested during the cool dry season had the highest concentration of citric acid. Carbohydrate (dry matter, total soluble solids, and glucose and fructose) concentrations in fruit pulp decreased with an increase in mean daily temperature from bunch emergence to harvest. Conversely, mineral (P, Mg and Ca) concentrations in fruit pulp increased with an increase in temperature. Conclusion. It is clear that these relationships should be taken into greater consideration when assessing banana quality. The specific environmental conditions in highland areas warrant the creation of a ‘mountain banana’ label.

Introduction. Penicillium digitatum is a commercially important postharvest pathogen of citrus that is responsible for significant annual global losses. Strains of the fungus, which exhibit strong resistance to widely used synthetic fungicides, are of major concern to the industry. The aim of the study was to investigate the antifungal activities of polar extracts and compounds from Lippia species, indigenous to South Africa, against a Guazatine®-resistant strain of P. digitatum.Materials and methods. In vitro tests were done by incorporating the compounds and plant extracts into Malt Extract Agar at concentrations ranging from (0.2 to 1.0) mg·mL–1. An in vivo (curative) assay was conducted using the checkerboard technique on ‘Valencia’ oranges. Results and discussion. A strong correlation between the in vitro and in vivo results was observed. All the compounds and extracts were able to inhibit fungal growth at concentrations above 0.6 mg·mL–1. Verbascoside was the most active compound, while extracts of Lippia javanica and Lippia rehmannii caused significant inhibition of mycelial growth. The observed activity was largely ascribed to the presence of verbascoside in the plant extracts. Conclusion. Polar extracts of Lippia species have potential as environmentally friendly alternatives for the control of P. digitatum on citrus.

Introduction. Studies to determine the pre-requisites for formulating an IPM program for fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) were conducted in the Morogoro region, Central Tanzania, from 2004 to 2006. Specifically, studies aimed at determining the biodiversity of fruit flies, and their incidence and abundance in the surveyed region. Materials and methods. Adult flies were collected using McPhail traps baited with parapheromones (methyl eugenol, trimedlure and cue lure) and synthetic food baits (hydrolyzed yeast and three-component lure). Flies were also collected from infested fruits after incubation in the laboratory. A total of four sites and neighboring areas representing the three agro-ecological zones of Morogoro region were used. Results. Two key fruit fly pests were determined based on incidence in major fruits and their seasonal abundance. The invasive fruit fly, Bactrocera invadens Drew, Tsuruta and White, is the key pest in the low and medium altitude areas. On the other hand, the Natal fruit fly, Ceratitis rosa Karsch, is the key frugivorous pest in the high altitude areas. Discussion. Management programs of fruit flies need to focus on key pests, taking into consideration their breeding in the non-agricultural habitats. Components of such a program should include the Male Annihilation Technique (MAT), legislation, use of parapheromones and baits, farm hygiene and sanitation, quarantine, surveillance and postharvest treatment.

Introduction. Iran, with more than 10 species of Pyrus, is one of the important genetic resources for this genus in the world, and Fars province is one of the centers of origin. In our research, cytogenetical investigation of native wild pear species of Fars province, including P. glabra Boiss., P. syriaca Boiss. and, probably, a natural hybrid of them, (P. glabra × P  syriaca), was carried out using a video analysis system. Materials and methods. Seed germination of different species was done on damp filter paper in petri dishes, and root tips were collected for karyotypical investigation. After pretreatment, fixation, hydrolysis and staining, samples were prepared for observation under the microscope and chromosome morphology was studied. Analysis of the species genome (length of each chromosome, length of long and short arm, ratio of long arm to short arm and ratio of short arm to long arm) was done and the chromosomal type of each species was determined using Levan et al.'s method. Then the karyotypic symmetry of species was studied by Stebbins' method. Results and discussion. The results revealed that all of the genotypes, with 2n = 2x = 34, were diploid. Based on Stebbins' table, genotypes 1 and 2 of P. glabra were classified into group 1A, P. glabra × P. syriaca into group 2A and P. syriaca into group 2B. Genotype plots, according to the A1 and A2 parameters and Stebbins' cross classes, revealed the same results. Similarity and differences of species in chromosomal aspects were investigated and the results shown in a dendrogram.

Context, objective and methods. In the north of India, in the Himalayas, the high-altitude slopes [(between 1800 and 3300) m] are covered by forests where Pinus gerardiana dominates. This pine is known for its edible seeds (Chilgoza). The recent evolution of nut harvest methods means that there is danger of the disappearance of natural seedlings and the ageing of the forests. Therefore, a survey was carried out from 1998 with a hundred farmers, which was supplemented with field visits and discussions with resource people involved in the commercial chain. Results. In the 1950s, traditional harvesting rules made it possible to respect trees and to allow a small portion of seeds to reach the ground. So, in spite of particularly difficult ecological conditions, the forest was able to regenerate. During the five last decades, the roads opening have allowed an irrigated cash-arboriculture development in the valleys. The village communities have become less dependent on the Chilgoza trade and sell the nut harvest contracts to private contractors who employ foreign workers, cut many branches and practically collect all the seeds. So, regeneration has become practically non-existent. The poorest inhabitants cannot have access to this resource anymore. In town, the retail sale of Chilgoza represents a market of (100 to 300) t·year–1, at a price from (15 to 20) €·kg, i.e., a market chain from (1.5 to 6) M€·year–1. Discussion and conclusion. The authors put forward a proposal to substitute for the two private platforms (purchase and drying) of New Delhi an organization with a non-lucrative purpose, concerned with a more respectful socio-economic development of the environment. This unit would centralize Chilgoza buying, drying and storage in the production place. Then, it would ensure sales to urban sellers, at the time of the peak of market demand. This would allow for a more significant part of the market chain added value to remain in the valley; this money at the same time would make it possible to fight against poverty and to regenerate natural resources. The authors are campaigning to see that research and development projects, financed with national or international funds, come to support these proposals.

Zones de production. Introduit au xixe siècle, le bissap (H. sabdariffa L.) est cultivé sur l’ensemble du territoire sénégalais et plus particulièrement dans les régions de Kaolack, Djourbel, Thiès, Saint-Louis et Louga. Pratiques agricoles. Dans ces régions, les superficies utilisées varient entre (0,25 et 5) ha et sont gérées pour la majeure partie par des femmes qui se regroupent de plus en plus en association ou en groupement d’intérêt économique. La plante est cultivée en période d’hivernage sur un cycle de (120 à 165) j selon des pratiques traditionnelles, généralement sans apport d’engrais. La récolte et les traitements post-récoltes sont effectués manuellement et le séchage est réalisé au soleil, souvent à même le sol. Variétés. Deux types d’H. sabdariffa sont rencontrés : le type vert et le type rouge qui comprend essentiellement quatre variétés (Vimto, Koor, CLT 92 et Thaï) aux caractéristiques différentes. Transformation. Les principales activités de transformation des calices d’H. sabdariffa sont le concassage, la production de boisson, de concentré, de confiture et de poudre instantanée. La fabrication de boisson, principale voie de transformation, effectuée sous la direction de groupements féminins est restée quasiment artisanale. Marchés. Bénéficiant d’un programme d’appui de l’État sénégalais, l’augmentation des superficies cultivées et du nombre d’acteurs économiques impliqués dans la filière de production du bissap confèrent aujourd’hui à cette culture une place importante dans la commercialisation des produits agricoles au Sénégal. L’exportation des calices secs d’H. sabdariffa vers l’Europe et les États-Unis à des prix situés entre (1 000 et 2 500) $US·t–1 augmente d’année en année.