Introduction. Banana and plantain (ban+plant) play a substantial role in people’s diet in Cameroon. A survey was carried out in 240 households in four localities to determine the daily consumption of (ban+plant)-derived foods and the contribution of these foods to iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) and vitamin A intake by children of less than 5 years of age and mothers. Materials and methods. The daily consumption level was assessed by a 24-h dietary recall during three consecutive days. The Fe, Zn and β-carotene (precursor of vitamin A) contents of (ban+plant) products were determined and the bioavailability of these micronutrients was estimated using the [phytate:Fe] and [phytate:Zn] molar ratios. Results. On a dry-weight basis, Fe content in (ban+plant)-based foods ranged from (0.78 to 1.32) mg·100 g–1; Zn content from (0.22 to 0.41) mg·100 g–1 and β-carotene content from (336 to 724) µg·100 g–1. Phytate content was between (0.17 and 1.23) g·100 g–1, with [phytate:Fe] and [phytate:Zn] molar ratios above the estimated bioavailability thresholds of 10–14 and 15, respectively, for all dishes. The daily quantities consumed by rural and urban subjects were not significantly different. The daily supply of Fe by (ban+plant) to children and mothers was 5% and 2%; Zn supply was 3% and 4%, respectively. In contrast, the daily vitamin A supply by (ban+plant) foods was relatively significant, reaching 13% on average per day for both children and mothers. In certain cases, this contribution was as high as 20%. Conclusion. Estimated bioavailability of Fe and Zn is low in (ban+plant) that, therefore, poorly contribute to Fe and Zn intake in the households. However, (ban+plant) are a good source of β-carotene and can make a substantial contribution to meeting vitamin A requirements of children and their mothers.

Introduction. Le charançon du noyau de la mangue, Sternochetus mangiferae (Fabricius), est un ravageur spécifique du manguier, classé comme insecte de quarantaine dans de nombreux pays producteurs de mangues où il n’est pas présent. Distribué dans toute la zone de production du manguier, il a été identifié en Guadeloupe en 1986 et s’y est largement développé depuis. Il existe peu de solutions en matière de lutte. Sur la base de données bibliographiques et de compléments d’observations réalisées en Guadeloupe, nous avons essayé de proposer de nouvelles méthodes de contrôle des populations du charançon. Matériel et méthode. Le cycle larvaire de S. mangiferae a lieu entièrement dans le fruit, de l’éclosion de l’œuf au stade adulte. Il dure de (1 à 2) mois. Les pontes altèrent l’aspect de l’épiderme des mangues. La larve se nourrit de leur amande. Les dégâts des larves sur les graines compromettent leur viabilité. Une prospection de l’insecte a été effectuée sur l’ensemble de l’île de la Guadeloupe. Le comportement de six variétés de manguier a été observé face aux attaques du charançon. Pour deux variétés de manguiers, Julie et Irwin, un suivi des pontes bihebdomadaire a été réalisé du 11 avril au 2 juin 2005. Résultats. L’insecte est présent sur la totalité de l’île. Il attaque indifféremment toutes les variétés, mais, dans le cas de la variété Julie, les larves atteignent difficilement le stade adulte. Nous avons pu caractériser la période de développement du fruit la plus sujette aux attaques. Un intervalle optimum de taille de fruit a été défini pour recevoir le traitement qui a été situé par rapport au stade de développement de la mangue. Discussion. Des recherches plus poussées sur la variété Julie pourraient être intéressantes pour le développement de variétés tolérantes.

Introduction. Açaí is a common palm in the Amazon River basin, from which a much-appreciated drink is prepared in the North of Brazil. Despite the strong increase in the drink market, some basic questions about the fruit postharvest physiology have not been properly studied. Our paper presents results about the fruit water absorption at different temperatures and times of storage, which may help the development of more efficient procedures for fruit transport and processing. Materials and methods. The experiments began approximately 3 h after harvest of fruits collected early in the morning. In a first experiment, to evaluate the effect of temperature on water absorption, fruits were submitted to five treatments: 0 °C, 6 °C, 12 °C, 26 °C and 39 °C. Each treatment was applied to 50 fruits, with four repetitions. Fruits from each lot were put into a beaker with water at the temperature of the selected treatment. Lots were weighed before immersion and every 10 min up to 60 min. The fruit relative increase in mass (dMasserel) was calculated according to experiment time. In a second experiment, to evaluate the effect of storage, fruits collected at the same spot were immediately stored in the lab at 10 °C under relative air humidity of 81% to 87%. After (5, 6 and 7) days of storage, the dMasserel curves were determined. Results and discussion. Between 0 °C and 26 °C, the absorption reaches an asymptote after 30 min, and at 39 °C, the absorption continues to increase for a longer period. The maximum (dMasserel) regarding the temperature was fitted by a parabole, with a minimum at 13 °C. Fruits stored at 10 °C presented an increase in the absorption rate after the fifth day. Conclusion. Our data suggest that: (i) water absorption is minimum at 13 °C; (ii) the imbibition rate is temperature-related, and (iii) fruit stored at 10 °C, and relative humidity 81% to 87%, increases its water absorption rate at the end of the shelf-life time (5th day).

Introduction. Pour introduire Ricinodendron heudelotii (Euphorbiacée) dans les agrosystèmes, des plantules ayant un système racinaire pivotant peuvent être produites par embryogenèse somatique in vitro. Nous avons étudié l’effet de quelques phytohormones exogènes sur certains paramètres biochimiques caractéristiques de l’embryogenèse somatique de l’espèce. Matériel et méthodes. Des cals et des embryons somatiques ont été induits par culture de fragments de feuilles sur un milieu de base enrichi en (1, 2 ou 3) mg 2,4-D·L–1 ou de combinaisons [2,4-D / kinétine] ou [2,4-D / BAP] impliquant différentes concentrations des hormones. Les extractions et analyses des sucres totaux, phénols, protéines totales et activité des peroxydases ont été faites après (30, 50 et 70) j de développement des cals. Résultats. Après 30 j de culture, les meilleurs pourcentages d’explants formant des cals ont varié de 72,1 % à 100 % selon les phyto-hormones utilisées. Après 50 j de culture, ces cals ont formé des amas globulaires de cellules en division (nodules embryonnaires). Après 70 j de culture, 17,4 % des cals ont différencié les embryons somatiques multiformes en présence de 3 mg 2,4-D·L–1; 23,1 %, en présence de [1 mg 2,4-D·L–1 + 1 mg kinétine·L–1] et 27,6 %, [1 mg 2,4-D·L–1 + 2 mg BAP·L–1]. La teneur en sucres a été la plus élevée à 30 j (formation des cals) et 50 j (formation des nodules embryonnaires sur cals), alors que les teneurs en phénols, en protéines et l’activité des peroxydases ont été plus élevées à 70 j (différenciation des embryons somatiques sur cals). Discussion et conclusion. À l’instar de ce qui se passe chez d’autres espèces végétales, chez R. heudelotii, les phytohormones exogènes interviendraient dans le contrôle du métabolisme des paramètres biochimiques impliqués dans la formation des embryons somatiques et de leur développement.

Introduction. Research was conducted at the Pistachio Research Institute in Rafsanjan, Iran, to evaluate the effects of ‘Badami’ (Pistacia vera L.), ‘Sarakhs’ (wild P. vera) and ‘Beneh’ (P. mutica F. & M.) seedling rootstocks on the nut quality of ‘Owhadi’, ‘Kalleh-ghuochi’ and ‘Ahmad-aghaie’ pistachio cultivars. Twenty-year-old trees of these nine rootstock/scion combinations were used in a two-year study done in 2003 and 2004. Materials and methods. Growth parameters [trunk cross-sectional area (TCA), tree height, canopy diameter, shoot growth, leaf area and number of suckers], yield parameters (cumulative yield and yield efficiency), and nut quality (blankness, splitting, nuts per ounce and weight of 100 nuts) were measured. Results and discussion. TCA was significantly lower on ‘Sarakhs’ rootstock than on the two other rootstocks and ‘Sarakhs’ was the least vigorous among the tested rootstocks and gave the lowest leaf area of scion cultivars. ‘Sarakhs’ rootstock consistently influenced the formation of the highest number of suckers. ‘Badami’ rootstock allowed us to obtain the greatest cumulative production and yield efficiency, the lowest blankness of pistachio nuts, and the highest percentage of splitting of pistachio nuts. Conclusion. Our study showed that genetic variability among pistachio rootstocks may influence scion vigour, yield, extent of shell splitting, blankness and nut weight.

Introduction. Black pepper (P. nigrum L.), the major world spice, is a climbing vine of historical, religious and economic importance. Landraces or farmer’s cultivars constitute the major component of this tropical vine's diversity. Normal spike formation. Berries of P. nigrum are produced in solitary, unbranched, axillary spikes. The apical bud of the plagiotropic branches transforms into an inflorescence (spike). Spike variant. Mutation in the floral meristem of black pepper could result in inflorescence proliferation. A variant with 100% of proliferating spikes was collected from a farmer’s plot, and then propagated by cuttings. The proliferating spikes are of indeterminate growth habit. Benefits. This natural mutant of Piper nigrum resulted in improved socioeconomic status of the farmer through sale of the rooted cuttings at a premium price. The variant can also be used as a donor for improvement of black pepper, besides as a novelty in potted pepper culture. Since berries of varying maturity are produced due to indeterminate growth, and since immature berries are rich in oleoresin, a single harvest will be yielding matured berries, which can be traded as black pepper of commerce, and half-matured berries suited to the value-added industry. Discussion. Mutations in the floral organ identity genes and their effect on altered flower/inflorescence development have been reported in the literature. In the case of spike proliferation, the transformation of the floral primordia in the mutant spike into inflorescence primordia has resulted in the modified spike architecture.

Introduction. In Mali, mango annual production is estimated at 100 000 t. Because of structural and plant sanitary problems mainly related to the actions of fruit fly, seldom more than 1% of this production is exported. The principal aim of this study was to develop an integrated control of the Tephritidae using spot treatments. One of the preconditions was to identify the species responsible for the damage in the three principal Mali production zones (Sikasso, Bougouni and Bamako). Materials and methods. Mangos belonging to the principal exported varieties were collected from the beginning of April up to the beginning of October 2000 and were observed to identify the Tephritidae species present in the fruits. The installation of sex attractant or of foodstuff attractant traps allowed us to follow the evolution and constitution of the fruit fly population in the orchards of the three selected sites. The effectiveness of a spot treatment to control Ceratitis sp. was tested. Results and discussion. Starting from adult observations and determination, six species of Tephritidae were identified. Among them, Ceratitis cosyra (Walker), C. quinaria (Bezzi) and C. silvestrii Bezzi were earliest and are thus most prejudicial. C. cosyra represented 86% of the total recovered flies. The species C. anonae, C. quinaria, C. fasciventris and C. ditissima were identified for the first time in Mali. The damage due to Tephritidae in the middle of the harvest period bordered on 50% of the crop for the varieties Kent and Keitt and exceeded 60% for that of Brooks. The 180 traps installed on the three studied sites allowed us to capture 128 998 Tephritidae adults belonging to thirteen species; the six species linked to the mango tree represented 99% of this total. The spot treatments carried out on the three experimental sites gave encouraging results, with a reduction in damage of approximately 50% in the treated orchards compared with the control orchards. Conclusions. To prolong the action undertaken, it will be interesting to confirm and look for further results obtained during the years to come. The installation of a regional project for controlling mango tree Tephritidae in West Africa would be fundamental in the medium term to limit such an insect pest which itself prevails on the sub-region scale.