Introduction. Small-scale banana producers in Tanzania are facing constraints caused by the destructive activities of the banana weevil (Cosmopolites sordidus Germar). Many currently used methods of addressing the problem are ineffective or too expensive for local farmers to implement. Materials and methods. A combination of two integrated pest management (IPM) tools (regular trapping in combination with field sanitation) was tested at two farmer-managed sites (Bujela and Kyimo) and one researcher-managed site (SUA-Morogoro). Treated areas were surrounded by untreated control areas where no trapping and limited sanitation was done. Changes in population densities were estimated by the mark-recapture procedure and the Lincoln index. Results and discussion. After eight months, weevil populations in the cleaned and trapped areas had been reduced by 33% (Bujela), 33% (Kyimo) and 74% (SUA). The change in population sizes in the control areas differed greatly, possibly due to discrepancies in field management between farmers’ and researchers’ practice. Trap types, areas and sites affected the number of weevils captured. Disc-on-stump (DOS) traps captured more weevils than corm disc (CD) and pseudostem (PS) traps. Weevils responded more strongly to traps in the clean area at SUA compared with the other two sites, probably because the more rigid sanitation practices at SUA meant that volatiles from the traps were less likely to be masked by volatiles from surrounding residues. Conclusion. Regular trapping with field sanitation can greatly reduce populations of banana weevils, but strict adherence to method execution is required in order to gain favourable results.

Introduction. The fruits of the Brazilian Savannah have potential to improve the human diet, income generation and, consequently, the quality of life for socially vulnerable families. Among the native fruits of the Savannah, one that stands out is the ‘jatobá do cerrado’ (Hymenaea stigonocarpa). Therefore, the physical characteristics, chemical composition (titratable acidity, soluble solids, pH, moisture, ash, proteins, lipids and total dietary fiber), occurrence and content of vitamin C (ascorbic and dehydroascorbic acids), carotenoids (α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin and lycopene), vitamin E (α, β, γ and δ-tocopherols and tocotrienols) and folates (tetrahydrofolate, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate and 5-formyltetrahydrofolate) were evaluated in pulp of ‘jatobá do cerrado’ from the Brazilian Savannah. Materials and methods. The length, diameter, mass and fruit yield were evaluated. The titratable acidity was determined by volumetric neutralization; pH by potentiometry; soluble solids by refractometry; moisture using an oven; ash using a muffle furnace; proteins by the micro-Kjeldhal method; total dietary fiber by the gravimetric non-enzymatic method; and lipids with a Soxhlet extractor. Vitamin C and carotenoids were analyzed by HPLC-DAD, and vitamin E and folates by HPLC with fluorescence detection. Results and discussion. The jatobá do cerrado’ presented low pulp yield (17.1%) and moisture (8.8 g×100 g–1), and high contents of total dietary fiber (44.3 g×100 g–1), protein (5.6 mg×100 g–1) and energy (193.0 kcal×100 g–1). The fruit presented reduced contents of carotenoids and vitamin C [(0.4 and 8.9) mg×100 g–1, respectively]. The contents of vitamin E and folates [(53.5 and 495.5) μg×100 g–1, respectively] were higher than in other widely consumed fruits. Conclusion. The ‘jatobá do cerrado’ is a source of vitamin C, good source of folates, and excellent source of dietary fiber. Due to its nutritional value, ‘jatobá do cerrado’ is an important dietary alternative; thus, its consumption should be encouraged.

Introduction. Shea tree (V. paradoxa C.F. Gaertn.), a species endemic to the Sudanian savanna woodlands, is dominant in the parklands of West Africa where it is of great socioeconomic importance. However, shea tree has been reported in recent decades to be threatened by plant parasites, Loranthaceae. Our study aimed to assess possible variation of the impact of these parasites on shea tree fruit yield in two contrasting habitats. Materials and methods. We selected 41 weakly and 41 heavily infected shea tree individuals, of similar size, in a protected area as well as in its adjacent parklands. Shea tree traits such as diameter at breast height, canopy diameter, tree height, canopy height, number of fruit yielded, number of parasite stumps per tree and an impact index ratio were assessed on each shea tree individual. Two-way ANOVA was performed to compare parasite impact on shea tree fruit yield in relation to habitat. Hierarchical cluster, canonical discriminant and one-way ANOVA analyses were used to show quantitative traits that characterize shea tree groups from habitats. Results. Loranthaceae did not reduce fruit yield significantly either in the parklands or in the protected area. Quantitative traits tended to discriminate all pooled shea trees in relation to habitats. Shea tree individuals in parklands were characterized mostly by the highest value of number of infected stumps per tree and of the impact index ratio, suggesting that many shea tree individuals in parklands were sensitive to Loranthaceae impact on their fruit yield. Conclusion. These findings were helpful for implementing some shea tree conservation plans.

Introduction. The Brazilian Cerrado presents a wide vegetable diversity, which is used for different purposes, especially in human feeding. Among the various fruits of the Cerrado, the araticum (Annona crassiflora Mart.) stands out, due to its high nutritional value and technological potential. The physical characteristics, chemical composition (titratable acidity, pH, moisture, ash, total dietary fiber, lipids and proteins), occurrence and content of vitamin C (ascorbic and dehydroascorbic acids), carotenoids (α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin and lycopene), vitamin E (α-, β-, γ- and δ-tocopherols and tocotrienols) and folates (tetrahydrofolate, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate and 5-formyltetrahydrofolate) were evaluated in araticum from the Cerrado of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Materials and methods. Vitamin C and carotenoids were analyzed by HPLC-DAD, and vitamin E and folates by HPLC with fluorescence detection. Results and discussion. Araticum pulp presented a high energy value (95.12 kcal·100 g–1), as well as elevated contents of dietary fiber (6.80 g·100 g–1), carotenoids (4.98 mg·100 g –1) and vitamin A value (288.79 RAE·100 g–1). The contents of vitamin C, folates and vitamin E were 5.23 mg·100 g –1, 27.36 μg·100 g–1 and 494.04 μg·100 g–1, respectively. Conclusion. Araticum presented high energy value and high dietary fiber content. It is a source of vitamin C and folates, and an excellent source of vitamin A.

Introduction. India is the largest producer of pomegranate in the world, with rich genetic diversity. The wide range of utility of pomegranate in human health, nutrition and livelihood security has triggered its heavy demand in India and other countries. At present, more than 300 germplasm accessions from indigenous and exotic sources are available in India, but meagre information on the physico-chemical properties of their fruits is available. In our study, the physico-chemical properties of varieties grown under a semi-arid climate were investigated. Materials and methods. Our study was carried out at the experimental farm of the National Research Centre on Pomegranate, Solapur, India, during the harvests of 2008–2009 and 2009–2010. Twenty pomegranate varieties were studied with respect to the physico-chemical properties of their fruits. Results and discussion. A considerable variation (coefficient of variation: 3.37% to 101.13%) was observed with respect to the 16 characters studied. The values ranged from 12.64 °Brix to 15.39 °Brix for TSS; 0.38% to 3.40% for acidity; 16.67 g to 27.82 g for 100-aril weight; 4.31-38.62 for the maturity index; 59.22% to 77.40% for aril percentage; and 43.30% to 61.00% for juice percentage. Fruit size, rind weight, total aril weight, 100-aril weight, juice weight and aril width were found to have a strong positive correlation (P < 0.01) with fruit weight. Based on the total index score obtained, the varieties ‘Bassein Seedless’, ‘Dholka’, ‘Ganesh’, ‘Jyoti’, ‘Kandhari’, ‘KRS’, ‘Mridula’ and ‘P-13’ were found to be suitable for processing and table purposes.

Introduction. Plant water stress indicators have become valuable for moving towards deficit irrigation strategies and saving water. In this case evapotranspiration (ET) is below its maximum value for the crop and stage (ETc), and a stress coefficient (Ks) is applied to obtain actual ET (ETa). Predawn leaf water potential (Yp) can be related to relative transpiration (RT), the ratio between transpiration of a stressed plot (T) and transpiration of a well-irrigated plot (Tm). Estimating RT from Yp allows calculating ETa for determination of irrigation amounts, if deficit irrigation practices are used, as RT corresponds approximately to Ks. Materials and methods. RT and Yp were measured with the aim of establishing a relationship to estimate RT under moderate water stress for irrigation scheduling, in a peach orchard in south Portugal. RT was calculated using sap flow measurements (heat balance method) in two plots, one well-irrigated (daily drip irrigation amounts calculated for Tm) and another temporarily without irrigation. Results and discussion. A high correlation was found between RT and Yp, allowing the estimation of RT for the studied conditions. Significant differences regarding the relationship RT-Y p obtained for another peach orchard in the same region and similar soil conditions were found for Yp in the range between –0.11 and –0.45 MPa. The results suggest that the differences resulted from the different irrigation systems: drip and micro-sprinkling, as they determine different temporal and spatial water distribution and therefore different geometry of root systems. A formerly proposed equation to estimate RT from Yp with a general form for different fruit tree species was tested, proving to be adequate within some limits: when RT is lowered to 0.7, the error was below 9%. The threshold value RT = 0.7 was considered a minimum as it was successfully tested in deficit irrigation practices for peach orchards.

Introduction. Bacterial canker, caused by P. syringae pv. syringae, is an important disease of stone fruit worldwide. The possibility of P. syringae pv. syringae infection through leaf scars and lenticels was evaluated in cherry, peach and prune. Materials and methods. Laboratory and field inoculations were performed using cherry, peach and prune stems to evaluate leaf scar age, chilling and freezing-thawing on bacterial infection through leaf scars and lenticels. Results and discussion. Increasing leaf scar age was associated with significant decreases in disease incidence and length of lesions resulting from leaf scar inoculation with Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae in cherry, peach and prune. A significant reduction in incidence and lesion length was observed after 4 h of air exposure, and both measures of infection were reduced to essentially 0 by 2 days of exposure. Prolonged chilling temperature (2.2 °C) prior to leaf removal had no clear effect on disease incidence of leaf scar infection, but significantly decreased lesion length due to leaf scar infection. Cherry was more susceptible to P. syringae pv. syringae infection through leaf scars than peach and ‘French’ prune. The leaf scar inoculation results were consistent with the previous studies. The disease incidence of lenticel infection caused by bacterial inoculation in ‘French’ prune was very low, but significantly higher than the water control. Freezing-thawing significantly increased both the disease incidence and the lesion size via lenticel infection. The lenticel inoculation data suggest that P. syringae pv. syringae infection through lenticels is possible under field conditions.