The tolerance of banana fruit to hot-water dipping was established. Complete control of artificially induced latent infections of Colletotrichum musae was achieved in the laboratory by dipping green fruit in hot water at 55°C for 2 min before ripening. This treatment also effectively destroyed conidia of the fungus. In larger semi-commercial scale experiments using naturally infected fruit, significant but not complete control of anthracnose and crown rot was obtained. Some delay in ripening was caused by the bot-water treatment, but this was variable. The rate of pulp ripening was not affected by the treatment.

Response of okra (Hibiscus esculentus L.) to N (0–336 kg/ha), P (0–280 kg/ha), K (0–280 kg/ha), and Mg (0–112 kg/ha) fertilization on River Estate Loam, Trinidad, was investigated. Best yields were obtained with 112 kg/ha N, 168 kg/ha P, 280 kg/ha K, and 112 kg/ha Mg. The effect on leaf composition of N, P, K, and Mg at three stages of growth of the crop and the amount of these nutrients removed in the fruit was studied. Levels of N in the leaf decreased rapidly with age and for rates above 224 kg/ha followed a similar pattern as the control. For 112- and 168-kg/ha applications, high tissue N was maintained to the fruiting stage. N removed in the fruit increased with N and K applications but was adversely affected by P and P content in the leaf was not affected by fertilization at flowering and senescence but at fruiting the levels increased. P applications did not increase yield of dry matter or removal of N, K, Ca and Mg in the fruit. At flowering, tissue K was highest and showed response to fertilizers. With age of crop K decreased and effect of fertilizers disappeared. K removal in the fruit was favored by N. High tissue Mg as a response to fertilization was maintained to fruiting but decreased afterwards. Mg lowered the removal of N but increased P in the fruit.

This report offers a brief summary of current herbicide usage and a review of the weed problems with reference to research results in California fruit crops. Herbicide weed control ratings of 70% or better in the tables are considered commercially acceptable. Listings of herbicides and rates in this article are not to be considered as University of California recommendations. There are many yet unregistered herbicides—and unregistered uses of herbicides—found effective in orchard research that are not discussed here. Current weed control recommendations are available at local county Farm Advisor offices.