The effect of plant population and staking on the growth, development and yield of “Red Gold” was studied in the tropical derived Savannah under rain-fed condition at Dhar district. A population of 40,000 plants per hectare appeared optimum for field grown tomatoes under rain-fed conditions, giving an average yield of 89% better than the usual population 37,037 plants per hectare often recommended. Staking of the tomato plants resulted in better fruit set, more total dry matte produced per plant and increased plant height. Percentage of marketable yields were found similar for staked and un-staked plants. The fruit yield advantage of 8% for staked treatment over the un-staked tomato plants would not compensate for the cost of material and labour for staking. There is need for good pest and disease control programmes to avoid fruit damage by insects and fungal leaf diseases.

International audience | Brown rot caused by Monilinia spp. is the most important postharvest disease of stone fruit. The growing public concern over the health and environmental hazards associated with high levels of pesticide use have resulted in a significant interest in the development of alternative non-chemical control methods. Radio frequency (RF) treatment at 27.12 MHz was studied to control brown rot in peaches and nectarines. From preliminary studies, a RF treatment for 18 min was selected to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment to control Monilinia spp. in naturally infected fruit and fruit with different diameters. In general, high disease control was achieved in peaches, however, RF effectiveness was affected by fruit size and no brown rot control was observed in nectarines. In order to address these problems, RF treatment with fruit immersed in water was studied. RF treatment in fruit immersed in water at 20 °C for 9 min significantly reduced brown rot incidence in both peaches and nectarines and no significant differences in RF effectiveness were observed depending on fruit size. Moreover, the decrease in treatment time with increasing water temperature was also evaluated. Reduction of treatment time to 6 and 4.5 min was achieved by increasing water temperature at 35 and 40 °C, respectively, to control brown rot without impair fruit quality in both, peaches and nectarines. Finally, RF treatment with fruit immersed in water at 40 °C for 4.5 min was selected to control Monilinia spp. in naturally infected fruit in which brown rot reduction observed was higher than 74 % in all the varieties evaluated.

This study was done at Dibba Experiment Station, Eastern Region, Ministry of Environment & Water, UAE, during two successive seasons (2010 and 2011) on 'Khalas' date palm to improve fruit quality and yield. After fruit set, bunches were labeled and six bunches only were left on each tree. In 2010, on each tree (five trees were used; replicates), four treatments (control, gibberellic acid (GA3), glutamic acid (Glu) and a mixture of GA3 + Glu) were applied (one treatment per bunch). In 2011, an extra treatment (pollen grains extract) was added to the previous four treatments. Bunches were sprayed with the different treatments three times (at three-week intervals starting when the fruits were 1.6-1.7 cm in diameter) in both seasons. Gibberellic acid delayed fruit ripening (in both seasons) by about 4-5 weeks which can help in increasing marketability duration. In addition, in 2010, GA3 and GA3 + Glu increased yield, fruit bunch weight, fruit height, fruit thickness, fruit volume and average fruit weight significantly in comparison with the other treatments. Also, in the first season, GA3 and GA3 + Glu significantly increased fruit pulp (%) over that of the control and the Glu treatments. Besides, Glu, GA3 and GA3 + Glu increased TSS significantly over that of the control while the differences between the Glu, GA3 and GA3 + Glu treatments were not significant. However, no significant differences were noticed in fruit total sugars as affected by the different treatments. In the second season, Glu and GA3 significantly increased fruit yield over that of the control and the pollen grains extract. However, no significant differences were obtained in yield between Glu, GA3 and GA3 + Glu treatments. For bunches, Glu and GA3 increased weight significantly over that of the pollen grains extract and the control treatments. The mixture of GA3 + Glu increased bunch weight over the control and the pollen grains extract treatments, but data failed to show any significant differences. Similarly, GA3 and GA3 + Glu increased fruit height and thickness over that of the control. At the same trends, GA3, GA3 + Glu and pollen grains extract treatments resulted in increasing fruit weight and volume over the rest of the treatments without any significant differences between the treatments. Fruit pulp (%) was increased significantly by GA3 + Glu and pollen grains extract over the rest of the treatments. No significant differences were noticed in fruit pulp (%) as a result of Glu, GA3 and the control treatments. Gibberellic acid treatment, in the second season, resulted in a reduction of TSS in comparison with the rest of the treatments with no significant differences between the control, Glu, GA3 + Glu and pollen extract treatments. Pollen grains extract spray can be used instead of Glu and mixed with GA3 for future studies, since pollen grains contain Glu. It can be recommended to spray GA3 and GA3 + Glu/or pollen grains extract on the fruit after setting to get a positive effect of improving fruit weight, size and yield. Besides, GA3 can extend fruit marketability season by delaying ripening.

Guava fruit (Psidium guajava) is a mainstay commodity in Bogor and Bogor district is a supplier of guava into surrounding towns. In Bogor, population of guava fruit is around 160,000 trees that reaches an area of about 800 ha and scattered in several places, including in the Village of Kencana, Sukadamai, Mekarwangi and Sukaresmi that reaches an area of about 80 ha with a population of about sixteen thousand trees. Production during the harvest reaches 15 tones per ha at each harvest, and the harvest can be done every three days. Nevertheless, one of the obstacles limiting factor in the production is a matter of losing the results, both quantitatively by falling fruit, as well as qualitatively by rotten fruit caused by infestation of fruit flies (Bactrocera spp) with a strike rate that can reach about 75 %. So far, control measure that has been done is by synthetic insecticide spraying, wrapping fruits, fencing garden with nets nearly as high as 3 meters to deter pest fruit flies not to attack guava fruit. Such control measures is relatively expensive, also cause problems with insecticide residues in fruits and environments that adversely affect human health and the environment. A technique control that is considered environmentally friendly is to use an organic insecticide made from plants, such as basil plant (Ocimum spp) and Tea tree (Melaleuca bracteata). Essential oil obtained from distillation of basil and tea tree leaves contain methyl eugenol (C12H24O2) which is acting as attractant for fruit flies. Fruit flies will try to consume methyl eugenol before matting. Methyl eugenol consumed is as a compound to result sex pheromone in fruit flies body to attract their couple, therefore fruit flies will try to reach methyl eugenol as far as 100 m to 1,000 m. By locating methyl eugenol in the trap, then fruit flies will be trapped. This technique is considered as environmentally friendly technique, hence can be applied in organic farming practice. The use of organic insecticides derived from the distillation of basil (Ocimum spp) and tea tree (Melaleuca bracteata) leaves containing methyl eugenol (C12H24O2) is very effective to control fruit flies in guava orchard, so that it is able to decrease pest attack and consequently increase farmers income. Since organic insecticide is considered environmentally friendly, therefore it can be applied in organic farming practice.

The present investigation entitled “Studies on the effect of foliar application of micronutrient and GA₃ on reproductive parameters and fruit yield of winter season guava “ was carried out in the Fruit Research Farm, Horticulture Unit, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi during the year 2010–2011. The experiment was laid out in Randomized block design with eleven treatments. A perusal of data revealed that maximum fruit set and maximum fruit drop was found in treatment T₇ (GA₃₋-50 ppm) and T₁₁ (control) respectively. Maximum fruit retention and minimum fruit drop was found in T₄ (Borax-0.4%) while minimum results was recorded in under T₁₁ control (no treatment isgiven) respectively. Maximum yield was recorded in Treatment T₄ (Borax-0.4%) while minimum was under control.

This study was done at Dibba Experiment Station, Eastern Region, Ministry of Environment & Water, UAE, during two successive seasons (2010 and 2011) on 'Khalas' date palm to improve fruit quality and yield. After fruit set, bunches were labeled and six bunches only were left on each tree. In 2010, on each tree (five trees were used; replicates), four treatments (control, gibberellic acid (GA3), glutamic acid (Glu) and a mixture of GA3 + Glu) were applied (one treatment per bunch). In 2011, an extra treatment (pollen grains extract) was added to the previous four treatments. Bunches were sprayed with the different treatments three times (at three-week intervals starting when the fruits were 1.6-1.7 cm in diameter) in both seasons. Gibberellic acid delayed fruit ripening (in both seasons) by about 4-5 weeks which can help in increasing marketability duration. In addition, in 2010, GA3 and GA3 + Glu increased yield, fruit bunch weight, fruit height, fruit thickness, fruit volume and average fruit weight significantly in comparison with the other treatments. Also, in the first season, GA3 and GA3 + Glu significantly increased fruit pulp (%) over that of the control and the Glu treatments. Besides, Glu, GA3 and GA3 + Glu increased TSS significantly over that of the control while the differences between the Glu, GA3 and GA3 + Glu treatments were not significant. However, no significant differences were noticed in fruit total sugars as affected by the different treatments. In the second season, Glu and GA3 significantly increased fruit yield over that of the control and the pollen grains extract. However, no significant differences were obtained in yield between Glu, GA3 and GA3 + Glu treatments. For bunches, Glu and GA3 increased weight significantly over that of the pollen grains extract and the control treatments. The mixture of GA3 + Glu increased bunch weight over the control and the pollen grains extract treatments, but data failed to show any significant differences. Similarly, GA3 and GA3 + Glu increased fruit height and thickness over that of the control. At the same trends, GA3, GA3 + Glu and pollen grains extract treatments resulted in increasing fruit weight and volume over the rest of the treatments without any significant differences between the treatments. Fruit pulp (%) was increased significantly by GA3 + Glu and pollen grains extract over the rest of the treatments. No significant differences were noticed in fruit pulp (%) as a result of Glu, GA3 and the control treatments. Gibberellic acid treatment, in the second season, resulted in a reduction of TSS in comparison with the rest of the treatments with no significant differences between the control, Glu, GA3 + Glu and pollen extract treatments. Pollen grains extract spray can be used instead of Glu and mixed with GA3 for future studies, since pollen grains contain Glu. It can be recommended to spray GA3 and GA3 + Glu/or pollen grains extract on the fruit after setting to get a positive effect of improving fruit weight, size and yield. Besides, GA3 can extend fruit marketability season by delaying ripening.

The fiber intake is an alternative to weight control. The objective of this experiment was to determine the effect of pectin, present in passion fruit peel, on weight change and glucose. Have been used 35 male Wistar rats divided into four groups. The Control group received water and food (n=09); The passionfruit group received food plus passion fruit peel (n=09); The hyper caloric group received cafeteria diet (n=08); The hyper caloric + passion fruit group received caloric diet increased with passion fruit peel (n=09), over 21 days. The weight of the animals was measured once a week and blood glucose was measured in the first week and at the end of the experiment. The difference in weight was analyzed with ANOVA, a criterion, followed by Bonferroni’s test; was adopted significance level of 5% (p<0.05). Was observed reduction in weight gain in the passion fruit group in comparison with the control group and increased weight gain in the hyper caloric and hyper caloric + passion fruit groups, between the beginning of the experiment and the 1st week of treatment. Between the 2nd and 3rd week of treatment, the hyper caloric group had an increase in body weight compared with the other groups. The weight gain in the passion fruit group and hyper caloric + passion fruit group did not differ from the control group. The glycemia (mg/dl) at the end of the experiment was higher in hyper caloric and hyper caloric + passion fruit group than in the control and passion fruit groups. We conclude that the passion fruit peel flour associated with hyper caloric diet reduced weight gain, but insufficient to reduce glycemia.

Fruit firmness (g mm-1) and stem-pull force (g) (retention force between the pedicel and the fruit) are important factors affecting marketability of fresh sweet cherry fruit; USA export minima are >700 g mm-1 and >250 g, respectively. Up to 3 soil applications of soluble 1% potassium silicate (28% Si) applied to the drip area, every 3 weeks from flowering, had an effect on both parameters. In 2007, at harvest, treated ‘Bing’ fruit were firmer (P<0.001) than untreated control fruit (409 v. 386 g mm-1). In 2008, treatments had no effect on ‘Bing’ fruit firmness at harvest; however, after 2 weeks of regular atmosphere storage at 2°C, treated fruit were firmer (329 g mm-1) than untreated control fruit (320 g mm-1) (P<0.001). Treated ‘Royal Rainier’ fruit were firmer at harvest (291 g mm-1) than untreated control fruit (274 g mm-1) as well as after 2 weeks cold storage (289 v. 269 g mm-1). Treated ‘Sandra Rose’ fruit also were firmer at harvest (289 g mm-1) than untreated control fruit (282 g mm-1) (P<0.001). In 2008, stem pull force of all untreated fruit decreased between the day of harvest and 2 weeks of cold storage (‘Bing’ = 1008 g to 816 g; ‘Royal Rainier’ = 1213 g to 1097 g; and ‘Sandra Rose’ = 992 g to 815 g, respectively) (P<0.001). In contrast, stem pull force of all treated fruit decreased less after two weeks cold storage (‘Bing’ = 1,026 g to 890 g; ‘Royal Rainier’ = 1,165 g to 1,159 g; and ‘Sandra Rose’ = 1,052 g to 1,002 g) (P<0.001). Our preliminary findings suggest that regular soil-drenching of cherry trees with soluble potassium silicate during the growing season has the potential to increase cherry fruit firmness and stem pull force without affecting fruit size or sweetness negatively.

Rain-induced fruit cracking in sweet cherries can be a major problem. In the Pacific Northwest United States, due to high labor costs, when fruit cracking exceeds 25% at harvest, fruit are not picked. Oregon State University Horticulture and Pharmacy Faculty have collaborated in producing and patenting a novel, elastic, organic biofilm, SureSeal, which significantly reduced sweet cherry fruit cracking by up to 250% in Milton Freewater, Oregon and Loftus, Norway. Formulations of SureSeal are hydrophobic and consist of a copolymer of complex carbohydrates, phospholipids and calcium. Collaborative research undertaken over three years throughout the Pacific Northwest and overseas found that two applications of 1% SureSeal applied at straw color, and again ten days later, reduced fruit cracking con-sistently when compared to untreated control fruit. In Norway, fruit cracking was reduced from 24.6 to 9.8% when trees were treated with SureSeal in combination with plastic ground covers and a preharvest fungicide (fenhexamid). Furthermore, studies throughout Oregon and Idaho found that SureSeal resulted in significantly (P<0.001) higher total soluble solids (TSS) and increased Stem Pull Force (g) (retention force between the pedicel and the fruit) than untreated control fruit. In 2008, ‘Bing’ fruit had higher TSS both before (18.5°Brix) and after (18.9°Brix) two weeks of regular atmosphere storage at 2°C than untreated control fruit (17.4 and 17.2°Brix, respectively). In Norway, 1% Biofilm increased TSS to 21.4°Brix compared to untreated control fruit (18.6°Brix). Two applications of 1% Biofilm applied at straw color and again ten days later has the potential to significantly reduce fruit cracking, accelerate maturity by significantly increasing TSS levels, and increase stem pull force. The concurrent reduction in fruit firmness observed may be a function of maturity but, in all instances, fruit firmness still exceeded the minimum standard of 250 g mm-1.

Green mould (caused by Penicillium digitatum) is a major cause of postharvest losses in citrus. Residue loading of thiabendazole (TBZ) with application methods typically used in South African packhouses and green mould control was studied. TBZ was applied curatively and protectively in dip, drench and wax coating treatments and fruit were inoculated with a TBZ-sensitive or a TBZ-resistant isolate of P. digitatum. The dip treatments consisted of TBZ concentrations of 0–2000μgmL−1; fruit were dipped for 60s at 22°C at a pH of 7. Residues differed between fruit batches and ranged from 0.5 to 1.7μgg−1 at 1000μgmL−1 TBZ. Curative dip treatments almost completely controlled green mould (>96% at 1000μgmL−1 TBZ). The residue level needed for 75% curative control ranged from 0.06 to 0.22μgg−1, depending on citrus type. Protective treatments were unreliable and control varied from 17% to 97.9% at 1000μgmL−1 TBZ between fruit batches. Drench treatments consisted of exposure times of 30, 60 and 90s with 1000 or 2000μgmL−1 TBZ. Average TBZ residues were 2.14μgg−1 for Clementine mandarin fruit and 3.50μgg−1 for navel orange fruit. Green mould control on navel orange fruit resulted in 66–92%, 34–90% and 9–38% control for curative treatments after 6 and 24h and protective treatments, respectively, depending on fruit batch. Wax with 4000μgmL−1 TBZ was applied at 0.6, 1.2 and 1.8Lwaxton−1 fruit. Chilling injury was evaluated after fruit storage at −0.5°C for 40 days. Average TBZ residues loaded was 1.3, 1.3 and 2.7μgg−1 at the recommended 1.2Lton−1 for Satsuma mandarin, Clementine mandarin and Valencia orange fruit, respectively. Protective treatments showed lower infection levels (14–20%) than curative treatments (27–40%) for Valencia orange fruit. The same trend was observed with Satsuma (92–95% curative; 87–90% protective) and Clementine mandarin fruit (82–90% curative; 59–88% protective), but control was relatively poor. TBZ application in wax exceeded 5μgg−1 at higher wax loads (1.2 and 1.8Lton−1). Wax treatments showed a significant reduction in chilling injury; TBZ had an additive effect. TBZ resistant isolates could not be controlled.