Greenhouse and field experiments were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of chlorsulfuron {2-chloro-N-[[(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino] carbonyl] benzenesulfonamide} on Russian thistle (Salsola iberica Sennen and Pau # SASKR) in a spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) summer-fallow rotation. In the greenhouse, when chlorsulfuron was applied to Russian thistle at three stages of growth, shoot dry weight was reduced similarly with either 4.4 g ai/ha plus surfactant or 140 g ai/ha plus surfactant. In the field, postharvest control (1981) of Russian thistle with 17.5 to 140 g/ha of chlorsulfuron ranged from 35 to 60% without surfactant and from 76 to 93% with surfactant. During the summer-fallow year (1982), Russian thistle treated in the preflowering stage of growth was not effectively controlled with 17.5 or 35 g/ha. In contrast, residual control from postharvest treatments 1 yr after application ranged from 90 to 100%. Chlorsulfuron applied in the crop (1983) controlled Russian thistle throughout the growing season. All treatments of chlorsulfuron applied in 1981, 1982, and 1983 increased wheat yield at least 75%.

Introduction. Kinnow is an important citrus crop grown in India, which suffers from several postharvest diseases during storage. Hence, an attempt was made to combat such diseases with the botanicals Aloe vera, Eucalyptus and Ocimum on Kinnow mandarin to prolong its availability for a longer time. Materials and methods. For this, in vitro and in vivo studies were conducted. The poisoned food technique was used for in vitro studies, and, for in vivo studies, Kinnow fruit were pre-inoculated with pathogens (Penicillium digitatum and P. italicum), treated with different botanicals, then stored at (5 ± 1) °C temperature and 85–90% RH. Results and discussion. Our results indicated that all botanicals inhibited the growth (colony diameter) of both pathogens over untreated PDA plates, but the inhibition was the strongest by Aloe vera extracts. Similarly, under in vivo conditions, all botanicals influenced the decay incidence, decay loss, lesion diameter, respiration rate, ethylene evolution and physiological loss in weight, but Aloe vera was the most effective. All the botanicals were able to retain postharvest quality of Kinnow fruits without any adverse effect on quality parameters such as TSS, TA and ascorbic acid. Under in vivo conditions, the incidence of Penicillium italicum was higher than P. digitatum; however, it was the reverse under in vitro conditions. Conclusion. Thus, it is evident from our studies that botanicals have the potential to control green and blue mold without causing any injury or harmful effects on Kinnow mandarin; botanicals can be recommended as a safe method for extending its storage life while maintaining fruit quality at the same time.

Introduction. Vietnam is among the world's top 20 mango producing countries.In this country, the ‘cat Hoa loc’ variety is predominant, with 17 692 ha undercultivation with an annual production of 58 471 t; it is considered to be the best mangovariety in the Mekong delta. Ripening of the fruit is typically expressed by a skin colourchange from green to bright yellow. This variety is highly prized by local and foreignconsumers, but subject to different disorders, especially fruit fly infestations. Heattreatment is a safe alternative to chemical treatments. It can impair mould developmentand control fruit infestation by destroying fruit fly eggs and larvae. It may have agreater or lesser effect on fruit physiology. If the treatment temperature and durationare incorrectly handled, skin burns may result and the internal quality of the fruit maybe affected. Materials and methods. ’Cat Hoa loc’ mangoes at the commerciallymature stage were subjected to hot air treatment (47 °C and 90% RH) of different durations[(0, 20, 40, 60, 90, 120 and 180) min from the fruit core attaining the temperature].After treatment, the fruits were stored at 25 °C and quality parameters evaluated (weightloss, peel and flesh colour, percentages of fruit with burns and rots, burn index,ripening percentage, firmness, TSS, TA, vitamin C content, pH, reducing and total sugars,and taste test). Results and discussion. For the ‘cat Hoa loc’variety, heat treatment accelerated ripening of the fruit in the initial storage periodand colour changes occurred more quickly. However, after 7 days' storage, the differencein Hue value between the treated and control fruits disappeared. Hot air treatment at47 °C of different durations [(20 to180) min] did not affect the internal colorationchanges of ‘cat Hoa loc’ mangoes, but did affect the flesh firmness. We found that, after3 d, hot air treatment at 47 °C led to significantly faster weight loss than controlfruits but this difference disappeared after 7 d. Total sugar content was not affected bythe treatment, but titratable acidity decreased more quickly in treated fruits.

Introduction. Fruit green-life is a major postharvest attribute on which conservation on commodity chains depends. For climacteric fruits such as banana, green-life must be optimized to fit the transport and market requirements. Calcium was assumed to strengthen cellular tissue and increase the green-life of fruits. Materials and methods. In our study, we tested the effect of preharvest and postharvest calcium applications on attributes of banana fruit for two cultivars (Musa spp., AAA group, cv. Cavendish Grande Naine and Flhorban920 cultivar, AAA group). Results and discussion. Extra calcium in fertilization of Flhorban920 cv. did not significantly affect the green-life of fruits (36 days) or the hardness and thickness of the Flhorban920 cv. skin (63.7 N and 3.94 mm, respectively). The field calcium applications, by fertilization or spraying, did not alter pulp or peel chemical composition. For postharvest treatments, the green-life of Cavendish and Flhorban920 banana was not significantly altered by the presence or absence of calcium, or by the type of application, 45 and 26 days for the Cavendish and Flhorban920 cultivars, respectively.

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. This protocol aims at detecting and quantifying quiescent infections of Colletotrichum musae on bananas. The principle, key advantages, starting plant material, time required and expected results are presented. Materials and methods. The materials required and details of the three steps of the protocol (fruit sampling, fruit ripening and anthracnose lesion quantification) are described. Possible troubleshooting is discussed. Results. The protocol results in the quantification of anthracnose lesions on the fruits, which makes it possible to predict postharvest losses due to anthracnose (peel rot), and also to propose a better management of postharvest fungicide applications.