Introduction. Damage caused by tephritid fruit flies has been identified as a major limiting factor to citrus production in Nigeria. Presently, no control measure is applied by the majority of the farmers. This study therefore seeks to evaluate the efficacy of locally-made protein bait sprays and the differences in the susceptibility of sweet orange varieties in reducing fruit fly damage. Materials and methods. In 2006 and 2007, one, two and three spot applications of locally-made protein bait mixed with chlorpyrifos insecticide were administered to Agege, Parson Brown and Valencia Late sweet oranges. Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design. Efficacy of the bait sprays in reducing fruit attack was assessed by randomly sampling 10 ripe or ripening fruits per stand as well as dropped fruits. Results and discussion. The bait sprays significantly (p < 0.05) reduced damage of sweet orange by lowering the infestation level of Bactrocera invadens Drew Tsurata & White, and consequently reducing the number of dropped fruits. Application of three spots of bait was most effective in reducing damage due to B. invadens on sweet orange varieties. The infestation level of B. invadens and the number of dropped fruits of the variety Agege were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than those of the varieties Parson Brown and Valencia Late. Conclusion. Our study shows that three spot applications were most efficacious in reducing fruit damage, and that the Valencia Late variety was the least damaged, followed by Parson Brown.

Introduction. Citrus aurantium L. sour oranges are poorly exploited in Tunisia, although the Tunisian Cap Bon is one of the major areas of production of sour orange trees. Our study aimed at determining the effect of the geographic origin of the raw material on quality of orange marmalades and consumer acceptance. Materials and methods. Fresh sour oranges were collected from five areas in the Cap Bon region in the North-East of Tunisia for producing marmalades. Physicochemical characterisation of marmalades from the five different origins included the determination of soluble solids, total and volatile acidity, the measurement of reducing sugars, and measurement of colour. Sensory panels from Tunisia, Algeria and Europe revealed the marmalades’ sensory profiles. The sensory panels then attributed preference and acceptance ranks for the five marmalades. Results and discussion. The analyses highlighted an effect of the geographic origin of the raw material on the physicochemical quality. The most suitable geographic conditions seem to be climatic and edaphic criteria. Assessors from various nationalities revealed different sensory profiles depending on the consumer’s nationality and fruit production region. In addition, Tunisian consumers are less likely to be marmalade buyers than European and Algerian consumers.

Introduction. Le drageonnage et le marcottage aérien de trois fruitiers à usages multiples, Balanites aegyptiaca, Diospyros mespiliformis et Sclerocarya birrea, ont été étudiés dans le secteur climatique sahélo-soudanien à Kéring en vue de contribuer à la régénération à faible coût de ces espèces surexploitées. Matériel et méthodes. Dans trois stations représentatives de cette localité (jardins de case, brousse, berges de cours d’eau), un inventaire de 90 arbres par espèce a été réalisé au préalable pour détecter la présence d’éventuels drageons ou marcottes terrestres naturels. Ensuite, les possibilités d’induction de drageons au début de la saison des pluies par blessure ou sectionnement de racines et l’aptitude au marcottage aérien en fin de la saison des pluies ont été testées sur les pieds ciblés. Résultats et discussion L’espèce Sbirrea a présenté une aptitude très élevée pour le drageonnage naturel par rapport aux deux autres espèces. D. mespiliformis a drageonné moyennement alors que B. aegyptiaca, espèce  fourragère très broutée, a montré ici une faible aptitude au drageonnage. L’effet de la station a été significatif; il y a eu une plus forte fréquence de drageons au niveau des berges des cours d’eau. Le marcottage terrestre naturel n’a pas été remarqué sur les 270 arbres observés. L’induction du drageonnage réalisé au début de la saison des pluies par sectionnement complet de racines superficielles a été plus efficace après 9 mois (taux de 57,7 %, toutes espèces confondues) que la méthode d’induction par blessure légère des racines traçantes (37,7 %). L’exposition à la lumière des racines stressées a amplifié le drageonnage. Les drageons induits apparaissent généralement sur la racine stressée, du côté proximal de l’arbre-mère, mais ils peuvent se former aussi du côté distal. Réalisés en fin de saison pluvieuse, les essais de marcottage aérien de B. aegyptiaca ont montré 95 % de marcottes enracinées alors que, à cette saison, les deux autres espèces se sont révélées réfractaires après 5 mois d’observation. Conclusion En dehors des facteurs génétiques, physiologiques et environnementaux qui peuvent influencer la réussite du marcottage aérien ou du drageonnage, S. birrea et D. mespiliformis semblent nettement mieux prédisposées dans l’écosystème du secteur de Kéring à l’induction du drageonnage que B. aegyptiaca, plus apte au marcottage aérien. Ces résultats ouvrent de nouvelles voies à la multiplication de ces trois espèces surexploitées par les populations.

Introduction. There is a growing demand in the international market for excellent-quality dates of cultivars such as ‘Barhee’ that are consumed at the bisir stage. Materials and methods. The effects of GA3, BA and NAA postharvest dipping treatments at different concentrations on the quality characteristics of bisir ‘Barhee’ dates during cold storage were investigated. Results and discussion. The total soluble solids (TSS) concentration was lower in the BA- and NAA-treated fruit than in control fruit. Similarly, the GA3-treated fruit at 150 mg·L-1 contained a lower TSS concentration than control fruit. The GA3 at 150 mg·L-1, BA at 60 mg·L-1 and NAA at (100 and 150) mg·L-1 increased vitamin C concentration compared with other treatments. Acidity and total phenol concentrations were not affected by any of the treatments. The date soluble tannin concentration was higher than control fruit only in the dates treated with 20 mg BA·L-1. The weight loss % was lower in the BA-treated fruit at (20 and 60) mg·L-1 compared with all other treatments, while GA3 treatment at 50 mg·L-1 increased fruit weight loss % compared with control fruit. The percentage of dates at the rutab stage (index for fruit ripening) was lower for fruit treated with GA3than for control fruit. Also, the rutab stage % was lower for fruit treated with BA at 40 mg·L-1 and NAA at 150 mg·L-1 compared with control fruit. The TSS concentration decreased during storage from the initial day to day 20. However, there were no further decreases in the TSS concentration after (40 and 60) days of storage. The acidity concentration was slightly increased during storage. The vitamin C concentration increased until 40 days of storage, then a slight decrease occurred. The total phenol concentration decreased after (40 and 60) days of storage compared with the initial level. The soluble tannin concentration slightly increased at day 20 but sharply decreased after (40 and 60) days of storage compared with the initial level. Both weight loss and rutab stage % gradually increased during storage. There were significant interaction effects between growth regulators and storage period on TSS, vitamin C concentration, weight loss and rutab stage %.

Introduction. Red and black currants are a valuable component of a healthy diet because they are an excellent source of ascorbic acid, anthocyanins and minerals. Materials and methods. Three red currant cultivars and eight black currant cultivars were evaluated in terms of fruit quality. Some selected physicochemical characteristics such as berry weight, dry matter, soluble solids, total sugars, titratable acidity and total anthocyanins were investigated. Total anthocyanin content was measured with the pH differential absorbance method while citric, malic, tartaric and ascorbic acid were quantified by a reversed-phase HPLC method. Sodium, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, chromium and zinc were determined by ICP-MS following a microwave digestion, while potassium content was determined by FAAS. Results. Significant differences in the physicochemical and mineral content were detected among the cultivars. The range of total anthocyanins of the tested samples was 12.14–22.06 mg·100 g-1 (red currants) and 116.17–287.78 mg·100 g-1 (black currants). Ascorbic acid content varied between 23.23–44.62 mg·100 g-1 (red currants) and 161.58–284.46 mg·100 g-1 (black currants). Citric acid was predominant in all studied black and red currant cultivars, followed by malic and tartaric acids. Black and red currants have rich mineral composition, especially potassium, calcium and magnesium. Black currant fruits were superior to red currants with regard to calcium and magnesium content.

Introduction. Traditionally the control of fruit flies is based on the use of pesticides, which increase production costs and have led to many environmental concerns. Our study aimed to evaluate the effect of neem cake on the larval and pupal stages of Ceratitis capitata. Materials and methods. Third instar larvae were transferred to plastic vials with neem cake in different proportions. The treatments consisted of vermiculite with neem cake in the concentrations: control (vermiculite only), then (10, 25, 50, 75 and 100)% of neem seed cake. The bioassay was completely randomized, with six treatments, ten replicates and ten third instar larvae per replicate. The results were statistically analyzed. Results. At concentrations of 75% or more of neem cake in vermiculite, practically no adult flies emerged. At 50%, more than 80% of the adults did not emerge and the pupal period was prolonged. The sex ratio of the adults was not affected after the contact of the pupae with the neem cake. The estimated lethal concentrations to kill 50% and 90% of the population were 30.6% and 51.6%, respectively. Conclusion. The neem seed cake has contact actions against the larval-pupal stage of C. capitata. Neem seed cake in the pupation substrate can cause high mortality when its concentration is 50% or more, and it prolongs the delay of the pupal period of C. capitata.