Introduction. Sclerocarya birrea (A. Rich.) Hochst. subsp. birrea est un fruitier sauvage très répandu au Burkina Faso. Bien que très apprécié par les populations rurales, il demeure non domestiqué et sous utilisé. Jusqu’à présent, les études sur la variation et la qualité des fruits se sont concentrées sur la sous espèce caffra, originaire de l’Afrique australe. Matériel et méthodes. La composition biochimique des fruits de 106 arbres de Sclerocarya birrea au Burkina Faso a été étudiée le long d’un transect Nord-Sud (gradient climatique) traversant le Burkina Faso à partir de cinq caractères quantitatifs du fruit et de la graine. Le taux en sucres totaux et en sucres réducteurs, la teneur en acidité libre totale et le rapport [acidité libre totale / sucres solubles totaux] ont été définis dans la pulpe. La teneur en lipides des graines a été déterminée. Résultats et discussion. Pour les caractères étudiés, l’analyse des résultats a mis en évidence une grande variabilité inter- et intra-population. La variabilité inter-population s’explique par le gradient climatique qui caractérise la zone d’échantillonnage. Conclusion. La variabilité de la composition des fruits de Sclerocarya birrea subsp. birrea mise en évidence pourra servir de base pour un programme d’amélioration.

Introduction. Le baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) est un arbre qui pousse à l’état sauvage au Sénégal où le fruit est consommé sous différentes formes. Si l’écologie et la botanique de la plante ont été bien étudiées, les travaux portant sur la transformation du fruit ou sur l’impact des traitements de transformation sur la qualité des produits finis sont rares. Afin d’évaluer le potentiel technologique de ces fruits, en préalable au développement de leurs produits de transformation sur les marchés locaux, régionaux et internationaux, nous avons cherché à mieux caractériser la matière première (composition biochimique et qualité nutritionnelle), et nous avons étudié la transformation du produit en nectar. Matériel et méthodes. L’étude a porté sur douze échantillons de fruits décoqués d’A. digitata prélevés entre 2004 et 2006 dans différentes zones du Sénégal. Les proportions des différents constituants du fruit (pulpe, graines, fibres) ont été déterminées, puis différentes caractéristiques physicochimiques de la pulpe et de la graine ont été analysées. La flore microbienne présente dans les boissons traditionnellement préparées a été étudiée. Les techniques de pasteurisation et de microfiltration tangentielle des nectars ont été appliquées. Les différentes utilisations et les procédés de transformation traditionnels du fruit ont été évalués à partir d’une enquête réalisée sur un échantillon de 93 personnes interrogées à Dakar et Saly. Résultats et discussion. La pulpe a été caractérisée par une faible teneur en eau (6–15 %), une forte acidité (68–201 mEq·100 g–1) et des teneurs élevées en sucres (20–32 %), acide ascorbique (125–312 mg·100 g–1), minéraux (6 %) et amidon (41–47 %). Les chromatogrammes obtenus par CPG/SM sur la pulpe de fruit ont mis en évidence 10 composés d’arôme dont le myristate d’isopropyle, un composé phénolique non identifié et le nonanal. Sans précaution particulière, la composition de la pulpe a évolué au cours du stockage et sa qualité s’est rapidement dégradée. L’enquête réalisée a montré que la pulpe du fruit de baobab est principalement utilisée pour l’élaboration de boissons de type nectar avec un rapport massique [fruit / eau] de [1 / 3]. La stabilisation du nectar peut être obtenue par pasteurisation (80 °C / 10 min) au détriment de la qualité du produit. Des essais de stabilisation à froid par microfiltration tangentielle ont été réalisés sur des nectars avec des rapports massiques [fruit / eau] de [1 / 3] et [1 / 5]. Les densités de flux ont été comprises entre [(23 et 77) L·h–1·m–2] pour des facteurs de réduction volumique compris entre 1 et 2. Les faibles densités de flux de perméat mesurées compromettent l’intérêt de la microfiltration tangentielle pour la stabilisation à froid du nectar. Conclusion. À l’avenir, dans la perspective d’une production locale de nectar de fruit du baobab, les travaux de recherche devront être focalisés sur la stabilisation thermique de la boisson.

Introduction. Studies to determine the pre-requisites for formulating an IPM program for fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) were conducted in the Morogoro region, Central Tanzania, from 2004 to 2006. Specifically, studies aimed at determining the biodiversity of fruit flies, and their incidence and abundance in the surveyed region. Materials and methods. Adult flies were collected using McPhail traps baited with parapheromones (methyl eugenol, trimedlure and cue lure) and synthetic food baits (hydrolyzed yeast and three-component lure). Flies were also collected from infested fruits after incubation in the laboratory. A total of four sites and neighboring areas representing the three agro-ecological zones of Morogoro region were used. Results. Two key fruit fly pests were determined based on incidence in major fruits and their seasonal abundance. The invasive fruit fly, Bactrocera invadens Drew, Tsuruta and White, is the key pest in the low and medium altitude areas. On the other hand, the Natal fruit fly, Ceratitis rosa Karsch, is the key frugivorous pest in the high altitude areas. Discussion. Management programs of fruit flies need to focus on key pests, taking into consideration their breeding in the non-agricultural habitats. Components of such a program should include the Male Annihilation Technique (MAT), legislation, use of parapheromones and baits, farm hygiene and sanitation, quarantine, surveillance and postharvest treatment.

Introduction. Les aliments dits de disette, dont la plupart sont des fruits, sont identifiés un peu partout dans le monde tel qu’en Australie au Soudan, au Sénégal, en Amérique, au Sahel et au Tchad. Les travaux réalisés sur ces fruits portent souvent sur leurs valeurs nutritives. Au Sénégal, Maerua pseudopetalosa (Gil & Gil-Ben) De Wolf, espèce de la famille des capparidacées, fournit des fruits consommables aux populations autochtones pendant la période de soudure. Aucune étude scientifique n’a encore fait mention de la composition nutritive et de l’apport énergétique du fruit de cette espèce. Nos travaux ont permis d’évaluer l’apport en éléments nutritifs de son fruit. Matériel et méthodes. Des fruits de M. pseudopetalosa ont été récoltés à maturité au mois de juin 2007 et mai 2008 aux alentours des villages de Kéniéba et de Koussane, dans la région de Tambacounda au Sénégal. Les amandes ont été séchées et broyées pour les besoins des différents dosages. Les cendres, protéine, sucres, matières grasses, et sels minéraux ont été déterminés par des méthodes d’analyse classiques normalisées. Résultats et discussions. Nos résultats ont montré que le fruit de M. pseudopetalosa était riche en fer (26,8–45,9 mg·kg–1), en potassium (1098–1342 mg·100 g–1) et en protéine (19,26–22,06%). Cependant, le profil d’acides aminés témoigne d’une médiocre qualité nutritionnelle de sa protéine. Conclusion. Il ressort de cette analyse que le fruit de M. pseudopetalosa constitue malgré tout une excellente source de nutriments et peut valablement combler certaines carences, surtout en période de disette.

Introduction. Agricultural cooperatives play an important socio-economic role in European (EU) countries, especially in the fresh fruit and vegetable sector. For this reason, in an economic perspective, the measurement of their efficiency has become an area of investigation which attracts great interest. Given that Spain and Italy are the biggest producers of fresh fruits and vegetables, the aim of this paper was to recognize the evolution of their technical efficiency. Materials and methods. Performance analysis in the economic field is rather controversial. Following Parkan (2002), it is possible to classify three main approaches to measure performance: index numbers; frontier methods and the non-parametric approaches. In this paper, efficiency was evaluated by applying the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) technique considering two separate frontiers. Through the AIDA database for Italian agricultural cooperatives and the SABI database for Spanish cooperatives, two different sets of 81 and 106 firms, respectively belonging to the fruit and vegetable sector, were selected over a five-year period (2001–2005). Results. The analysis of the DEA results underlines the higher ability of Italian cooperatives to calibrate and optimize the inputs, and to maximize the results (technical efficiency), as well as the ability of Spanish cooperatives to exploit scale economies. Conclusions. Over the period taken into consideration, the average value of global technical efficiency decreased for Spanish as well as Italian cooperatives. In the case of Spanish cooperatives, this situation is due to the loss of ability to calibrate and optimize the inputs, even if the considered firms reveal ability to develop scale economies. In the case of Italian cooperatives, the results reveal the substantial firm technical efficiency, even if scale inefficiency undermines the global efficiency.

Introduction. The fruit and vegetable sector group of the French National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA) undertook a bibliometric analysis of INRA scientific academic literature on fruits and vegetables for the 2000–2006 period. This study made it possible to produce quantitative and qualitative indicators that will shed light on the institute's scientific position in relation to the fruit and vegetable sectors. Materials and methods. Different steps were taken to constitute and process a corpus of INRA researcher publication data. The citation corpus gathering bibliographic data was constituted using the Web of Science. The Sphinx data processing program allowed the constituted databases to be structured and manipulated. Results. After the data were cleaned, there was a total of 1463 articles published by INRA authors between 2000 and 2006; this constituted the “fruit and vegetable corpus” studied, which represented 8% of the total number of INRA publications during this period. The typology of fruits and vegetables studied at INRA, the INRA research centres involved, the main subjects addressed by INRA research divisions and the national and international partnerships of INRA authors were analysed. Conclusion. The analysis presented highlights the overall magnitude of research dedicated to fruits and vegetables at INRA. This research is undertaken in the principal research centres of horticulture and/or fruit regions, with a high level of involvement of Southeast centres of France. Partnerships with other French and foreign organisations are numerous. This assessment allows an understanding of the rapid evolution of research that has occurred over the past several years in the fruit and vegetable field, notably the growing involvement of nutrition and consumer sciences. The development of multi-disciplinary and integrated approaches must also be emphasised.

Introduction. Iran, with more than 10 species of Pyrus, is one of the important genetic resources for this genus in the world, and Fars province is one of the centers of origin. In our research, cytogenetical investigation of native wild pear species of Fars province, including P. glabra Boiss., P. syriaca Boiss. and, probably, a natural hybrid of them, (P. glabra × P  syriaca), was carried out using a video analysis system. Materials and methods. Seed germination of different species was done on damp filter paper in petri dishes, and root tips were collected for karyotypical investigation. After pretreatment, fixation, hydrolysis and staining, samples were prepared for observation under the microscope and chromosome morphology was studied. Analysis of the species genome (length of each chromosome, length of long and short arm, ratio of long arm to short arm and ratio of short arm to long arm) was done and the chromosomal type of each species was determined using Levan et al.'s method. Then the karyotypic symmetry of species was studied by Stebbins' method. Results and discussion. The results revealed that all of the genotypes, with 2n = 2x = 34, were diploid. Based on Stebbins' table, genotypes 1 and 2 of P. glabra were classified into group 1A, P. glabra × P. syriaca into group 2A and P. syriaca into group 2B. Genotype plots, according to the A1 and A2 parameters and Stebbins' cross classes, revealed the same results. Similarity and differences of species in chromosomal aspects were investigated and the results shown in a dendrogram.

Introduction. Investigation of pollen performance is essential in breeding experiments or artificial pollination procedures, especially in a crop such as chestnut, some genotypes of which are characterized by male sterility. Our study was carried out to determine the pollen germination rate and the pollen tube growth of some European chestnut genotypes. Materials and methods. Seven Turkish advanced chestnut selections (SE3-12, SE18-2, SE21-2, SE21-9, 552-8, 552-10 and 554-14), and a cultivar (Sariaslama), growing in two different locations, were studied in the central Black Sea region of Turkey in 2006. For this purpose, in vitro pollen germination tests were performed on media with four different concentrations of sucrose [(0, 5, 10 and 15)%]. Results and discussion. The pollen germination rates of the eight genotypes studied were significantly different due to the sucrose concentrations. The best pollen germination rate was found in the 554-14 chestnut genotype (35.80%). The best sucrose concentration for a high germination rate and pollen tube growth was 10%. For the same genotype, the results varied due to the two different study locations (Terme and Fatsa). A linear relationship between the sucrose concentrations and pollen tube length was found to be significant in most genotypes. The longest pollen tube length was found in the 554-14 genotype (74 mm).

Introduction. Tejocote (Crataegus spp.) is an edible fruit species that some Mesoamerican cultures have cultivated since pre-Hispanic times in Mexico; however, this fruit crop has not undergone formal breeding. It is unknown whether morphological markers associated with fruit size exist to be used for indirect selection; this could be important, because this species has a large cycle. Our research aimed at studying phenotypic correlations between leaf and stomata characters with fruit weight; such correlations might be used as morphological markers for selection of superior germplasm for fruit weight. Materials and methods. Pearson’s correlation coefficients of 36 leaf variables and three leaf stomata variables with fruit weight were calculated in 94 genotypes of four different species. Results. As expected, the correlations calculated for each species and for the species pool differed. However, the number of veins in leaves of reproductive shoots was positively correlated with fruit weight (P ≤ 0.05) in the two most important horticultural species. On the other hand, C. mexicana was the best option for selecting superior germplasm, and the most significant variables correlated with fruit weight in this species were leaf major axis length of large vegetative shoots, leaf elongation ratio and number of veins of reproductive shoot leaves. Discussion. These variables could be good selection indices or morphological markers that can be used for early screening of germplasm for yield potential.

Introduction. Brazil is home to a great diversity of tropical, non-traditional fruit species with a potential for consumption in natura and agroindustrial processing. The objective of our study was to evaluate the quality of 18 non-traditional fruits from Brazil belonging to the families Anacardiaceae, Apocynaceae, Arecaceae, Clusiaceae, Malpighiaceae, Melastomataceae and Myrtaceae. Materials and methods. Samples were collected from areas of occurrence, commercial orchards and collections in Northern, Northeastern and Southeastern Brazil; they were tested for total soluble solids (TSS), soluble sugars (SS), reducing sugars (RS), total titratable acidity (TTA), pH, [TSS / TTA] ratio, starch, total pectin (TP) and soluble pectin (SP). Results and discussion. Parameters varied greatly among the species. Thus, TSS was 4.75–37.07 °Brix; SS, 1.26–17.74%; RS, 2.53–9.92%; TTA, 0.20–2.64%; pH, 2.56–5.38; [TSS / TTA], 3.26–107.70; starch, 0.12–12.65%; TP, 0.15–1.27%; and SP, 0.04–1.49%. Conclusion. Many of the 18 fruits evaluated in this study show potential for consumption in natura and agroindustrial processing.

Introduction. Costa Rica’s pepper production (Piper nigrum L.) is relatively low, but for the farmers involved it presents an interesting cash cropping activity. This paper aims to analyse whether contracts with processing firms offer an incentive for farmers to invest in pepper production and thereby increase their income. We analysed the characteristics of farmers with formal and informal contracts to see if this influences their way of producing pepper, their yields and income. The second goal of our work was to study whether market conditions (one or more buyers) influence contract uptake and pepper production. Materials and methods. A survey was conducted in 2000 among 63 farmers, 32 of whom had access to only one buyer and 31 of whom could sell to three potential purchasers. Characteristics of farmers, farms and pepper production were compared in terms of market conditions and forms of contract. A subsample of 24 farmers was revisited in 2008. Results. Overall, the effects of contracts in terms of improving access to inputs and increasing yield and productivity were limited. However, formal contracts were endorsed by income-constrained farmers, especially in the early phase of establishing themselves in the market. In subsequent phases, and under more competitive market conditions, producers seemed to prefer verbal commitments to formal contracts. In situations where a monopsony situation prevailed, there were lower yields. Conclusion. Contracts are important in the start-up phase, and competitive market conditions favour a process of moderate intensification which stimulates high returns at relatively low costs to the most established pepper producers.

Introduction. Leaf area measurements are used commonly in the study of growth and development of fruit trees. These measurements can be made destructively by using a variety of sensitive instruments and/or non-destructively by using models of leaf area estimation. For models of leaf area estimation, some leaf parameters such as the length and width of leaves are usually used in the measurements. Construction of a model of leaf area estimation. Computer programs such as Excel, SAS and SPSS may be used in this process. In brief, after a leaf has been placed on a sheet of paper and photocopied, a digital planimeter or suitable tool may be used to measure the actual leaf area. The leaf width (W) and length (L) of the leaves sampled can be measured by a simple ruler. After this, regression analysis of the data may be performed separately for each genotype, species or cultivar. The analysis can be conducted with various subsets of the independent variables; for instance, leaf length (L), leaf width (W), L2, W2 and [L2 / W2] to develop the best model for predicting leaf area. Regression analyses should be carried out until the deviation sum of squares is minimized. Models of leaf area estimation for specific crops. In our study, prediction models of leaf area were developed by referring to the relevant current literature that studied such fruits as avocado, banana, blackberry, cacao, cherry, chestnut, grape, guava, kiwifruit, lotus plum, peach, pistachio, rabbiteye blueberry, red currant, red raspberry, sour orange, strawberry, pecan and white mulberry. Advantages and disadvantage of the models of leaf area estimation. Some advantages and a disadvantage of models of leaf area estimation are presented. Conclusion. Our mini-review has shown that the models which have been formulated and which will develop in the future for some fruit species can be reliably used.

Introduction. L’objectif de notre étude a été de recenser les différentes espèces de Tephritidae présentes sur arbres fruitiers dans trois régions climatiques différentes de Côte d’Ivoire et d’identifier quelques plantes hôtes auxquelles elles sont associées. Matériel et méthodes. Un dispositif de pièges utilisant différentes phéromones a été mis en place dans les régions agro écologiques du sud (Azaguié, Abidjan) et du centre (Yamoussoukro) de la Côte d’Ivoire entre juin 2005 et septembre 2006. En complément, une collecte de fruits a été effectuée dans ces mêmes régions ainsi qu’au nord du pays (Korhogo). La fluctuation de la population de Bactrocera invadens a été suivie à partir de relevés hebdomadaires des pièges. Les mouches émergées des fruits collectés ont été identifiées et comptées. Résultats et discussion. Au total, 23 espèces de mouches des fruits ont été identifiées dont huit espèces particulières à Azaguié, une espèce à Abidjan et une espèce à Yamoussoukro. Les espèces B. invadens et D. mediovittatus ont été identifiées pour la première fois en Côte d’Ivoire. L’espèce B. invadens s’est révélée majoritaire sur les stations du sud et du centre de la Côte d’Ivoire. Elle est représentée à 85 % à Azaguié, à 99,90 % à Abidjan et à 95,40 % à Yamoussoukro. Le méthyl eugénol et le dorsalure ont été les plus efficaces pour capturer un grand nombre d’individus. Les genres Ceratitis et Dacus, bien que présentant une diversité spécifique, sont faiblement représentés sur les sites expérimentaux étudiés. Selon les zones agro écologiques et la période de fructification des manguiers en Côte d’Ivoire, les populations de B. invadens présentent différents pics de croissance. Conclusion. Des études complémentaires sur la biologie et le comportement de ce ravageur s’avéreront nécessaires pour l’application des méthodes de lutte optimale en vergers en Afrique de l’Ouest et, plus particulièrement, en Côte d’Ivoire.

Context, objective and methods. In the north of India, in the Himalayas, the high-altitude slopes [(between 1800 and 3300) m] are covered by forests where Pinus gerardiana dominates. This pine is known for its edible seeds (Chilgoza). The recent evolution of nut harvest methods means that there is danger of the disappearance of natural seedlings and the ageing of the forests. Therefore, a survey was carried out from 1998 with a hundred farmers, which was supplemented with field visits and discussions with resource people involved in the commercial chain. Results. In the 1950s, traditional harvesting rules made it possible to respect trees and to allow a small portion of seeds to reach the ground. So, in spite of particularly difficult ecological conditions, the forest was able to regenerate. During the five last decades, the roads opening have allowed an irrigated cash-arboriculture development in the valleys. The village communities have become less dependent on the Chilgoza trade and sell the nut harvest contracts to private contractors who employ foreign workers, cut many branches and practically collect all the seeds. So, regeneration has become practically non-existent. The poorest inhabitants cannot have access to this resource anymore. In town, the retail sale of Chilgoza represents a market of (100 to 300) t·year–1, at a price from (15 to 20) €·kg, i.e., a market chain from (1.5 to 6) M€·year–1. Discussion and conclusion. The authors put forward a proposal to substitute for the two private platforms (purchase and drying) of New Delhi an organization with a non-lucrative purpose, concerned with a more respectful socio-economic development of the environment. This unit would centralize Chilgoza buying, drying and storage in the production place. Then, it would ensure sales to urban sellers, at the time of the peak of market demand. This would allow for a more significant part of the market chain added value to remain in the valley; this money at the same time would make it possible to fight against poverty and to regenerate natural resources. The authors are campaigning to see that research and development projects, financed with national or international funds, come to support these proposals.

Introduction. Les oasis marocaines sont réputées pour le savoir-faire ingénieux de leurs habitants en matière de gestion et de préservation des ressources naturelles. La datte, principal produit des oasis, bénéficie amplement de cette ingéniosité qui connaît, de nos jours, une régression et un manque de valorisation. Notre étude a eu pour objectif d’archiver et d’analyser le savoir-faire de la transformation des dattes en jus, localement appelé Tassabount, et d’en proposer un mode de valorisation. Matériel et méthodes. La méthodologie employée pour le travail d’archivage et d’analyse des connaissances locales de transformation des dattes en jus a été basé sur une approche participative impliquant une centaine de femmes oasiennes de la vallée du Drâa (Maroc). Résultats et discussion. Notre étude a mis en évidence une pratique ingénieuse dans la transformation locale des dattes en jus. Ce savoir-faire, développé par les femmes oasiennes, est étroitement lié à la diversité génétique du palmier dattier (variétés et hybrides). En outre, le Tassabount est identifié comme produit prometteur à valoriser, en misant sur ses qualités organoleptiques et ses vertus thérapeutiques. Par ailleurs, la description et l'analyse du procédé familial de préparation du Tassabount ont permis d’identifier des voies possibles d’amélioration pour son élaboration et sa stabilisation en vue de son transfert à des entreprises artisanales et/ou industrielles.

Introduction. Little is known about the impact of organic manure on andosol. Materials and methods. Two varieties of Solanum lycopersicum L. (cvs. ‘Rio grande’ and ‘Rossol VFN’) were grown under tropical andosol. The soil was silty, acidic and very poor in Bray P (3 mg·kg–1) with a strong imbalance in the (Ca:Mg:K) ratio of (74.0:25.0:0.7). Five fertilization treatments were used: (i) control with no fertilizer, (ii) minerals, with a (Ca:Mg:K) ratio of (76:18:6) and 75 mg P·kg–1 of soil; (iii) poultry manure with a (Ca:Mg:K) ratio of (68:24:7) and 450 mg P·kg–1 of soil; (iv) a combination of (ii) and (iii), and (v) mineral fertilization as applied by local farmers, with a (Ca:Mg:K) ratio of (73:25:1) and 54 mg P·kg–1 of soil. Results. All cation-balanced treatments (organic, mineral or a combination of both) significantly improved plant growth, the number of trusses and fruits per plant, the marketable fruit yield and fruit P, K, Ca and Na contents of both tomato varieties considered. The ‘Rio grande’ variety was the most productive (32–44 t·ha–1) compared with the ‘Rossol’ variety (20–22 t·ha–1). There was no major difference between the organic fertilizer and the cation-balanced mineral fertilizer. There was no effect of mineral fertilizer with an unbalanced cation composition on tomato plant growth and production as compared with unfertilized control. Conclusion. In tropical andosol poor in potassium and phosphorous and with excess of Mg, application of poultry manure in adequate dosage and at the right time is capable of sustaining tomato fruit production, as well as the application of calculated inorganic fertilizer.

Introduction. This protocol describes a method for obtaining protoplasts from banana leaves, calli and cell suspensions, and their sustainable development via somatic embryogenesis from embryogenic cell suspensions. The principle, key advantages, starting plant material, time required and expected results are presented. Materials and methods. This part describes the required laboratory materials, and media preparation for protoplast production and culture. Results. The first protoplasts may be seen after 30 min of incubation in enzyme maceration. With protoplasts from embryogenic cell suspension, complete development into a whole plant, through somatic embryogenesis, is observed in 12 weeks. The first cell divisions occur on feeder layers 3–8 days after protoplast plating. Proembryo formation is observed 14–21 days after initiation of protoplast culture. The transfer of derived embryo plantlets, at 8–10 weeks after protoplast plating, onto growth regulator-free medium, leads to plant rooting and elongation.

Introduction. This protocol can be used as a guide for people who wish to construct their own nursery. It describes the methods for receiving, transplanting, managing and hardening young banana tissue culture plants after the weaning stage. The principle, key advantages, starting plant material and time required are presented. Materials and methods. This part describes the nursery construction, the nursery media, fertiliser and bags, the handling and transplanting of weaned plants into bags (3 steps), and the management schedule for hardening nursery plants (8 steps). Possible troubleshooting is listed. Results. All the characteristics of nursery-hardened plants in bags, ready for transplanting to the field, are formulated.

Introduction. Hibiscus sabdariffa L. est une plante herbacée, vivace, localisée dans les zones tropicales et subtropicales des deux hémisphères. L’espèce est exploitée pour sa fibre et principalement pour ses calices qui sont de trois types : vert, rouge et rouge foncé. Composition. Les calices de type rouge sont les plus utilisés et se caractérisent par leur concentration élevée en anthocyanes qui peut atteindre 1,5 g·kg–1. La delphinidine 3-sambubioside et la cyanidine 3-sambubioside sont les anthocyanes majoritaires avec, respectivement, (71 et 29) % des anthocyanes totaux. Les acides organiques, minéraux et acides aminés sont présents dans les calices, feuilles et graines d’H. sabdariffa à des teneurs variables suivant la variété et la zone géographique. Utilisations. Les utilisations des différentes parties de l’H. sabdariffa sont nombreuses et variées aussi bien dans l’alimentation que dans la médecine traditionnelle. Les calices, du fait de leur concentration élevée en acides, vitamine C et surtout en anthocyanes, constituent la partie de la plante la plus valorisée. Ils sont surtout utilisés pour la production de boissons désaltérantes et tonifiantes sans alcool. Les graines d’H. sabdariffa de par leur richesse en protéine (26 %), lipides (20 %) et sucres totaux (40 %) sont très utilisées dans l’alimentation dans de nombreux pays africains. Les feuilles constituent une bonne source de nutriments et sont utilisées en Afrique pour la préparation de sauces.

Introduction. The protocol describes a method for promoting the acclimatization and protection of rooted in vitro banana plants between rooting in the laboratory and their establishment in a nursery. The principle, key advantages, starting plant material and time required are presented. Materials and methods. This part describes the weaning house installation, the weaning medium used to transplant the vitroplants, the two steps for acclimatizing the plantlets: receipt of rooted laboratory plants in flasks and planting, and factors affecting the growth of the plantlets in weaning conditions (light, misting system, temperature, humidity, wind, pest control and nutrition). Possible problems for troubleshooting are listed. Results. Under normal conditions, new roots appear 4–5 days after the start of weaning, and new leaves start to grow within 8–10 days. At the end of the weaning phase, young plants are healthy, well developed and they can be established in a nursery.