Introduction. Conventional evaluation of Musa through multilocation trials has often been carried out to ascertain the yield stability and ecological range of new varieties but, for prospective growers, it is equally important to know the fruit characteristics and ripening pattern of the genotypes. Indeed, fruit characteristics determine consumers’ attitudes towards the new varieties, and the associated market value of these varieties. Materials and methods. The metric traits and ripening pattern of fruits from nine Musa hybrids and one local variety of plantain were evaluated during two cropping seasons in a sub-humid environment in Nigeria. Results. All the traits measured varied with the genotype, but cropping cycle influenced only fruit weight and days to complete senescence of fruits. The interaction between genotype and cropping cycle was significant on fruit weight, fruit length and days to attain four different ripening stages. Most genotypes had better values in the ratoon harvest than in the plant crop. Fruit length and shape of PITA 21 were comparable with those of the local check, but the index of edible proportion was highest in PITA 22. PITA 21 and PITA 26 had the longest green life and total shelf life. Conclusion. The genotypes evaluated in our study revealed different utilization potentials. Also, the better postharvest life of some of the hybrids and comparable metric traits with the local check suggested the high adoption potential of the hybrids.

Introduction. In Iran, sour orange is available between mid-October and March. Frequently, consumers store a large volume of unpasteurized juice at room or low temperatures for consumption when the fresh fruit is not available. The aim of our research was to determine the shelf life of unpasteurized sour orange juice which was stored under conditions similar to those adopted by consumers at home. Materials andmethods. Sour orange juice was prepared by hand-squeezing fresh fruit; it was filtered, and then poured into clear or dark green glass bottles. Bottles were stored at room temperature [(28 ± 2) °C], in the refrigerator [(4 ± 1) °C] and in the freezer [(–12 ± 1) °C] for 12 weeks. Additional samples were prepared by supplementing juice with 2% (w/w) citric acid and they were stored in the refrigerator. Total soluble solids and pH values were measured every 2 weeks and analysis was carried out on ascorbic acid content by means of the titration method in the presence of 2,6–dichlorophenol indophenol. The study was performed for 12 weeks. Resultsand discussion. Total soluble solids content and pH value of the initial juice were 11.5 °Brix and 3.18, respectively. pH appeared not to be significantly influenced by storage time or conditions; however, total soluble solids content in a few samples was reduced to about 9.5 °Brix. The initial ascorbic acid content was 130 mg·100 mL–1; after 2 weeks, it was reduced by nearly 50% for all unfrozen samples. The final concentration of ascorbic acid in the juice was approximately 20 mg·100 mL–1, regardless of storage conditions. The deteriorative reaction of ascorbic acid in the juice at each temperature experienced followed a first-order kinetic model with activation energy of 2.67 kJ·mol–1.

Introduction. Cette étude a eu pour objectif d’identifier les principales espèces de mouches des fruits (Diptera, Tephritidae) d’importance économique, inféodées au goyavier dans les vergers fruitiers de la province du Centre, au Cameroun. Matériel et méthode. Ce travail a été réalisé dans trois localités (Yaoundé, Bikok et Essé) de la zone humide du pays. Un total de 270 fruits infestés a été collecté, puis mis en observation jusqu’à émergence des adultes. Résultats. Les fruits collectés ont permis de récolter 1260 puparia à partir desquelles trois espèces de mouches des fruits ont été identifiées : Ceratitis anonae qui représente 64 % des adultes obtenus, Bactrocera invadens (35 %) et B. mesomelas (1 %). Les deux premières espèces, présentes dans les trois localités, sont d’importance économique. B. invadens est une nouvelle espèce invasive pour le Cameroun, tandis que B. mesomelas, non observée à la périphérie de Yaoundé, est nouvellement citée pour ce pays. Conclusion. Ce premier travail d’inventaire devra être suivi d’une étude sur la distribution des espèces identifiées, la gamme de leurs plantes-hôtes, l’évolution de leurs populations et leurs ennemis naturels. Des études complémentaires plus spécifiques devraient permettre d’améliorer les connaissances sur les espèces de mouches de fruits du Cameroun en vue de la mise en place d’une lutte intégrée contre ces importants ravageurs.

Introduction. Mineral status related to micronutrients and sodium is important to obtain high yields, despite the fact that no standardized contents have been established for yellow passion fruit. Biofertilizers have emerged as an important component of the integrated nutrient supply system aiming at an environmentally better nutrient supply because they have a direct action on micronutrient uptake. In this context, the objective of our research was to evaluate the micronutrient and sodium foliar contents of yellow passion fruit plants fertilized with two different biofertilizers in Brazil. Materials and methods. A randomized block design with treatments distributed in a factorial arrangement (2 × 5) referring to two biofertilizers (simple and enriched with Zn, Mg, Mn, Cu, Co, Fe, Ca, B and Mo) and five doses of each biofertilizer [(0.0, 0.6, 1.2, 1.8 and 2.4) L·plant–1] was adopted. Results of boron, copper, iron, manganese, zinc and sodium foliar contents were submitted to variance analysis, the Tukey test and regression analysis. Results and discussion. The results indicate that enriched biofertilizer promoted the statistically highest foliar contents of all elements. The biofertilizer doses applied had different effects on foliar contents of the elements studied. Conclusion. Micronutrient and sodium foliar contents of yellow passion fruit were affected by both the type and doses of biofertilizers. Simple biofertilizer promoted optimum supplies of boron and iron, while enriched biofertilizer supplied boron, iron, manganese and zinc.

Introduction. The fruit of the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is an important crop of the arid and semi-arid areas of the world. It has always played a genuine economic and social part in the lives of the people of these areas. Nevertheless, there are few studies related to the composition and the functional properties of the different components (fibres, fats and proteins) of the date seeds. In order to obtain more information on the nutritive value and the chemical composition of the pits of the most important and most valuable Tunisian date palm varieties (Deglet Nour and Allig), we studied their profiles of proteins and amino acids. Materials and methods. Date seeds of two Tunisian cultivars, Deglet Nour and Allig, were separately milled in a heavy-duty grinder to pass 1–2 mm screens; then, they were preserved at – 20 °C until analysis. The soluble proteins from defatted date seeds were extracted with water at pH 10, and were analysed by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Results and discussion. Amino acid profiles revealed that date seeds from the Deglet Nour and Allig varieties contained the majority of essential amino acids: lysine, isoleucine, leucine, methionine, threonine, valine and phenylalanine. Seventeen amino acids were detected in the seeds of the two studied cultivars. Glutamic acid was the major amino acid in Deglet Nour and Allig date seeds, representing 17.83% and 16.77%, respectively, of the total amino acids. Date seeds appeared to contain a number of proteins with molecular weights ranging from 22 kDa to 70 kDa. Three prominent bands appeared at 32 kDa, 60 kDa and 70 kDa.

Introduction. This protocol describes the production of haploid and dihaploid plants from in vitro anther cultures of M. balbisiana. The principle, key advantages, starting plant material, time required and expected results are presented. Materials and methods. This part describes the required laboratory materials, medium preparation, anther isolation and culture. Results. White, creamy calli emerge from anthers about (6 to 15) weeks after the beginning of the culture.

Introduction. This protocol aims at measuring the mechanical characteristics of bananas, especially peel and fruit hardness, and pulp firmness; it can also allow the mechanical characterisation of green or ripening fruit of different pedo-climatic origins and/or varieties. Materials and methods. This part describes the required laboratory materials and the three steps necessary for the measurement of the mechanical characteristics of bananas. Results. The data allow the drawing of a curve characterising the firmness of the fruit (slope), hardness of the peel (peak) and hardness of the pulp (plateau).

Introduction. This protocol aims at detecting and evaluating sensitivity shifts in Pseudocercospora musae (teleomorph: Mycosphaerella musicola) populations towards fungicides that are currently sprayed to control Sigatoka disease of banana. The principle, key advantages, starting plant material, time required and expected results are presented. Materials and methods. Necessary laboratory materials, and details of the seven steps of the protocol achieved during four days of experiments are described. Results. The protocol results in the observation of conidial germination of P. musae (pattern or germ tube elongation) according to the sensitivity to fungicides.

Introduction. This protocol aims at detecting Cylindrocladium spp. in root and soil samples from banana fields and at quantifying the inoculum. The principle of the two methods applied [Root Slice Plating Method (RSPM) and Soil Isolation Method (SIM)], the key advantages of these methods, starting plant and soil materials, the time required and the expected results are presented. Materials and methods. Necessary laboratory materials, and details of the six steps achieved for the use of the two methods are described. Results. When using the RSPM, typical Cylindrocladium colonies are isolated in petri dishes. When using the SIM, typical Cylindrocladium colonies originate from microsclerotia embedded or not in banana root tissue. The inoculum density can be calculated.