Introduction. Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), genus Cucumovirus, is distributed worldwide; it is a common pathogen of Musa spp. and it is present in all banana-producing areas. Materials and methods. Banana and plantain (Musa) leaf tissues were collected from six major Musa-growing states of Southern Nigeria in August 2000. A broad-spectrum CMV polyclonal antibody was used in Protein A Sandwich (PAS) ELISA to detect CMV isolates, while a CMV subgroup I-specific polyclonal antibody was used in DAS-ELISA to separate subgroup I isolates. Results. Of 108 Musa leaf samples collected, 76 samples (70.4%) reacted positively with the CMV polyclonal antibodies used, in which 32 samples (42.1%) belonged to CMV subgroup I. Edo and Ondo states had low CMV subgroup I incidence of 13.6% and 17.2%, even though both states had high CMV incidence of 63.6% and 62.1% in infected samples, respectively. Imo state had the highest CMV incidence of 72.4% and subgroup I incidence of 55.2%. Of the 32 leaf samples infected with CMV subgroup I, 18 samples expressed one type of viral symptom such as interveinal chlorosis, chlorotic streaks, leaf puckering and crisp deformed leaf. Thirteen other samples expressed two or three viral symptoms, showing either vein thickening or general leaf chlorosis and any of the former symptoms. One asymptomatic leaf tissue was also infected with the virus. Discussion. Our results confirm that subgroup I and other subgroups are responsible for CMV infection in Musa species in Nigeria. The detection of CMV over a large geographical area underscores the importance of virus control measures. CMV can be controlled by use of virus-free suckers.

Introduction. Fruit fly attack on citrus causes economic yield losses in Nigeria. The high demand for sweet oranges in recent times necessitates the need to develop control strategies that can reduce fruit fly damage and ameliorate yield. This can be achieved by identifying the diversity, abundance and spread of major sweet orange fruit flies. Materials and methods. Surveys were conducted during the citrus fruit maturity periods of 2003 and 2006 in citrus-producing areas of Nigeria. Owners of the sampled orchards were interviewed on their cultural practices that could contribute to fruit fly abundance and spread. The fruit flies were sampled by using two types of trap; namely, the McPhail® trap with yeast hydrolysate bait and the yellow sticky trap impregnated with ammonium acetate. The traps were hung on the citrus trees at a distance of 1.8 m from the ground. The distance between trees was 25 m and the traps were replicated three times per site. Results and discussion. Fruit flies identified on citrus belonged to the genera Bactrocera, Ceratitis, Dacus and Trirhithrum. While higher fruit fly diversity was observed in Edo, Ogun and Oyo states in the rainforest ecological zone, relatively higher populations of major genera (Bactrocera and Ceratitis) were recorded in Benue and Kaduna states in the Guinea savanna ecological zone. Bactrocera species occurrence increased during the second sampling period. Some farmers’ cultural practices were implicated as factors likely to have contributed to fruit fly abundance and spread. Conclusion. Fruit fly species of economic importance to citrus in Nigeria belonged to the genera Ceratitis and Bactrocera species. These genera were observed in the majority of surveyed areas.

 Introduction. Despite its socio-economic importance, cultivation of Garcinia kola Heckel is very limited due to poor seed germination. The literature gives contradictory information concerning this fact. Our study therefore aimed at (1) evaluating the variability in germination traits among seeds collected from different areas of Cameroon; and (2) testing the efficiency of some hormone treatments in improving the seed germination rate, which would promote cultivation of G. kola by rural farmers. Materials and methods. Six collections of seeds originating from six locations in Cameroon were subjected to pre-sowing treatments; soaking for 3 days at room temperature in cool distilled water (control), or in cool distilled water supplemented with either 10-4 M gibberellic acid (GA3), 10-4 M naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), 10-4 M 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 10-4 M benzylaminopurine (BAP) or 10-4 M kinetin; they were then placed to germinate in laboratory conditions. Cumulative seed germination data were recorded for 30 weeks. Results. The pre-germination treatments had profound effects on the phenology of G. kola seed germination. Multiple shoots, multiple roots and callus formation were induced from seeds soaked in BAP, NAA and 2,4-D solutions, respectively. Analysis of variance showed a significant effect (p < 0.01) of seed collection on the germination velocity. Although the rate of germination was higher and the complete dormancy period lower in seeds treated with NAA than in seeds with other treatments, none of these seed treatments significantly enhanced germination. Conclusion. Variations in phenology responses of G. kola seeds to hormone treatments indicate that the tissues of this plant may be responsive in in vitro culture. Variations in seed germination velocity among collections may explain the current controversy over G. kola seed germination, and could help in further selection and domestication processes of this species.

Introduction. The widely recognised dietary and socio-economic value of the shea nut and its butter extract seems to have diminished the usefulness attached to the shea fruit pulp, which is also very important. This is evident from the dearth of scientific information on the nutritional content of the pulp. Materials and methods. We determined the nutritional composition of shea fruit pulp of fruits collected in seven locations spread in the southern Guinea savanna, northern Guinea savanna and the Sudan savanna of Nigeria. Results. Analysis of variance revealed a significant effect of agro-ecological zones on carbohydrate, protein, fibre and energy. The southern Guinea savanna zone recorded comparatively more carbohydrate and energy content than the other two zones, while maintaining lower values for protein and fibre. Conversely, all nutritional traits varied significantly across the fruit pulps for fruits collected in the individual locations surveyed in the three zones. Values for carbohydrate, protein and fat ranged from 29.3–45.3%, 2.6–7.0% and 0.7–1.7%, respectively. Correlation analysis established a positive significant relationship between carbohydrate and energy, but its relationship with fibre and protein was negative and significant. Fibre content maintained a negative relationship with energy while being positively correlated with protein. Principal component analysis identified fibre, energy, ash, protein and moisture as nutritional traits that could be used in classifying shea fruit pulp. Discussion. Our study showed that the Nigerian Vitellaria fruit pulp has adequate nutritional content that is comparable with that of other species. The strong statistical linkage between fibre and protein in shea fruits presents an attractive combination, particularly for children of the rural zones with restricted access to the more conventional and expensive food sources.

Introduction. In subtropical regions, the lack of or insufficient winter chilling has been one of the most important yield-limiting factors for table grapes. Winter chilling for several weeks is required to cause the transition of both vegetative and floral buds from the dormant to the active state. Thus, the effect of time of application of Dormex® (hydrogen cyanamide) on fruit quality and ripening of ‘Superior’ seedless grape was evaluated under Jordan Valley conditions.Materials and methods. Five-year-old ‘Superior’ seedless vines were pruned on 20 December and sprayed to run-off with a 5% (v/v) concentration of Dormex® at pruning (Dormexprun0), 7 d (Dormexprun7) or 14 d (Dormexprun14) after pruning in comparison with the pruned-only control plants. The date of vegetative budbreak and start of flowering were determined. Fruits were harvested at intervals of 7 d starting from 9 May, with four harvests. Studied data were fruit weight, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA) and maturity with the [TSS:TA] ratio. Results and discussion. All pruned and sprayed vines broke bud 23–46 d after pruning. The (Dormexprun0) and (Dormexprun7) treatments were the earliest. Compared with the control, Dormex®-treated vines broke bud 4–26 d earlier. All pruned and Dormex®-treated vines started flowering 55–64 d after pruning, with 4–13 d earlier than the control. Fruits of the (Dormexprun0) treatment had significantly the highest fruit weight, TSS and the least TA, and it was the only treatment that exceeded the [18:1] (TSS:TA) level. Additionally, higher TSS and lower TA were observed for fruits of Dormex®-treated vines during all harvest dates in comparison with the control. Conclusion. Our study showed that, under southern Jordan Valley conditions, Dormex® should be applied as early as at pruning time to obtain early budbreak and maturity.

Introduction. This protocol makes it possible to determine the chromosome number of banana clones in root tip squashes. 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 the four steps of the protocol used for the chromosome counts (root sampling and treatment, slide preparation, observation of useful cells and chromosome counts on useful cells). Possible troubleshooting is discussed. Results. The protocol usually results in condensed and intensely stained chromosomes.

Introduction. This protocol aims at (a) evaluating the resistance to post-harvest diseases within different genotypes of bananas, and (b) comparing different origins of bananas (geographic origin, physiological stage, etc.) for their susceptibility to post-harvest diseases. The principle, key advantages, starting plant material, time required and expected results are presented. Materials and methods. Materials required and details of the twelve steps of the protocol (fruit sampling and inoculum preparation, wound anthracnose resistance study, quiescent anthracnose resistance study and crown-rot resistance study) are described. Results. Typical symptoms of the different diseases are obtained after artificial inoculation.

Introduction. We present some protocols aiming at partially characterizing banana fruit quality through measurement of some key biochemical parameters. 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 the steps necessary for achieving four protocols making it possible to measure sugar, organic acids and free ACC contents, and in vitro ACC oxidase activity. Results. Standard results obtained by using the protocols described are presented in the figures.

Introduction. The techniques presented allow a long-term conservation of Cylindrocladium strains to preserve them from major morphological and physiological changes. The principle of the methods applied, key advantages, starting plant material, time required and expected results are presented. Materials and methods. The necessary laboratory materials, and details of the nine steps achieved for the monospore purification of Cylindrocladium strains, their long-term maintenance, and the production of conidia and microsclerotia are described. Results. When revived, purified strains generate actively growing colonies within 48–72 h. Such colonies can then be readily used for conidia or microsclerotia production.