Introduction. The emergence of P. caerulea L. seeds was studied for the first time, in order to obtain useful information for cultivation of this plant with ornamental, edible and medicinal values. Materials and methods. Different treatments (aril removal, mechanical and chemical scarification and combinations of them) were performed on fresh seeds before sowing. The treatments simulated different paths that the seeds may follow in nature in this ornithochorus species, those which small growers could reproduce before cultivation. Seed emergence was recorded periodically for 16 months in a greenhouse. Seed emergence initial time, percentage and speed were calculated. Results and discussion. Seeds immersed in hydrochloric acid (chemical scarification) did not germinate, but the rest of the treatments were successful. Emergence percentages were low in most of the treatments and speed was slow in all of them. The minimum seed emergence initial time was 25 days. The curve of the accumulated number of seeds emerged followed an oscillating sigmoid pattern. Conclusion. It is suspected that dormancy exists, which will be dealt with in another paper.

Introduction. A study was carried out to investigate the proximate and mineral composition of plantain and banana fruits of new hybrids selected in Nigeria, compared with those of a local cultivar, Agbagba. Our aim was to assess their nutritional value and to enhance the adoption and utilization potential of these new selected hybrids. Materials and methods. Five new Musa hybrids developed at the IITA, Nigeria, were investigated. Proximate values of fat, carbohydrate and protein of the samples were determined and the energy content of each sample was calculated. Fruit mineral analysis was performed for each cultivar studied. The data were statistically analyzed. Results and discussion. All the new hybrids were higher than the local cultivar Agbagba in protein and crude fiber content. Conversely, Agbagba fruit had the highest level of carbohydrate. A significant difference was observed between the PITA 14 hybrid and the rest of the cultivars in total energy and fat content. Both the BITA 3 and PITA 26 hybrids contained the highest levels of ash. The PITA 17 hybrid contained the highest moisture. The PITA 14 and PITA 24 hybrids were different from all other cultivars in phosphorus and copper contents. The calcium concentration in the PITA 14 and PITA 17 hybrids differed regarding the rest of the cultivars assessed. Also, the levels of potassium and manganese found in all the hybrids were different from those obtained in Agbagba, while the latter differed from all the hybrids in magnesium and sodium levels. Conclusion. The new Musa hybrids assessed are superior to the Agbagba plantain in nutritional value, which could enhance the adoption and utilization potential of these new hybrids by the local population.

Introduction. The aim of ourstudy was to analyze the effect of various levels of light availabilityin the fruit microenvironment (induced by summer pruning) on somefruit quality traits. Materials and methods. Two levelsof summer pruning were set: removal of either 30% or 60% of thecanopy leaf area. These treatments were compared with the control(unpruned vines). Two canopy layers (upper and lower) were identifiedin each treatment and in the control vines. At harvest, yield percane and per shoot was recorded in the two canopy layers; fruitfresh weight, flesh firmness, total soluble solid content and totaltitratable acidity were measured. Fruit Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC)and Total Polyphenols (TPH) were determined at kiwifruit harvestand post-harvest (60 days after storage at 1 °C) in relation totheir position within the canopy (layer) and to the pruning treatmentapplied. Results. Removing 60% of the canopy leaf areainduced higher titratable acidity and flesh firmness of kiwifruitsat harvest; it reduced fruit weight and crop yield, but increasedTAC and TPH compared with kiwifruits of control. Removing 30% leaf areadid not reduce mean fruit weight and crop yield; it increased TACand TPH at harvest by 20%. Post-harvest TAC and TPH evolution didnot differ among treatments. Discussion and conclusion.Pergola-trained kiwifruit vines showed good performances in termsof crop yield and fruit quality when summer pruning reduced the LeafArea Index (LAI) to 3. More intense pruning resulted in a significantincrease in fruit TAC, but reduced fruit weight and crop yield,and delayed softening of pulp.

Introduction. Alternative propagation techniques must be developed in order to reduce the time required to evaluate germplasm in citrus breeding programs. Our study investigated the rooting capacity and initial plant development of different citrus somatic hybrids that have potential for use as rootstocks. Materials and methods. Eleven different hybrids were tested. Cuttings of these plants were placed in trays inside an intermittent mist chamber. After 100 days, the percentage of cuttings with callous and with roots, average number of roots, and root length were recorded. The cuttings were then transferred to plastic bags and kept in the greenhouse. The flush length was recorded monthly. After 7 months, the percentage of plants suitable for grafting and the average scion and root dry mass were calculated. Results and discussion. [Caipira sweet orange + Cleopatra mandarin], [Caipira sweet orange + Volkamer lemon], [Rangpur lime + Sunki mandarin] and [Rohde Red Valencia sweet orange + Volkamer lemon] hybrids developed many roots, while [Caipira sweet orange + Volkamer lemon] and [Rohde Red Valencia sweet orange + Volkamer lemon] hybrids showed the best development after the transplant.

Introduction. V. doniana Sweet fruit juice is sweet and has been fermented for many years in Nigeria using a traditional technology to produce wine. In this country, black plum is collected from wild trees in the natural ecosystem or from trees cultivated in isolated farms. Our study compared the chemical and sensory properties of wine produced from traditional or controlled fermentation of black plum juice. Materials and methods. Four types of experiments, two with spontaneous fermentation and two with controlled fermentation, were carried out, each with five replicates. The proximate composition, alcohol content and pH of the solutions obtained after spontaneous or controlled fermentation were determined. Moulds and yeasts isolated in the fermented juice were identified. Results and discussion. Wine obtained from controlled fermentation had 10.5% alcohol content while the spontaneous fermentation produced a wine of 5.0% alcohol content. The chemical analysis of juice produced from harvested ripe Vitex doniana fruit showed that it contained a soluble protein content of 75.62 ${\rm mg} \cdot {\rm mL}^{-1}$, pH of 4.5, total sugars of 95.10 ${\rm mg} \cdot {\rm mL}^{-1}$, titratable acidity of 0.33 ${\rm mg}\cdot 100$ mL-1, and ascorbic acid of 5.2 ${\rm mg} \cdot {\rm mL}^{-1}$. The yeasts isolated from the wine were Saccharomyces cerevisiae and S. coreanus, and filamentous moulds were Rhizopus stolonifer, Penicillium sp. and Aspergillus sp. Single cell protein was produced from the fruit juice by cultivation in it of Saccharomyces cerevisiae isolated from the fruit. The yeast had a protein content of 6.8 ${\rm mg} \cdot {\rm mL}^{-1}$ when grown at 20 °C for 36 h at pH 5.8. Conclusion. Wine produced from Vitex doniana Sweet juice has quite high alcohol content and is palatable with good flavor. The stability of the juice for yeast growth is an advantage for the production of single cell protein.

Introduction. Le ravageur A. aurantii ou pou de Californie, non contrôlé, est capable d'entraîner en deux à trois années le dessèchement complet d'agrumes contaminés. Au Maroc, le nombre d'interventions pesticides, contre cette cochenille, par cycle de produc- tion, n'a cessé de croître depuis les années 1960. Dans ces conditions, une lutte raisonnée s'impose. Le travail entrepris a eu pour objectif de tester conjointement trois techniques d'avertissement agricole. Matériel et méthodes. Les expérimentations effectuées ont étudié la génération printanière du ravageur au cours de deux années pendant lesquelles les dégâts qu'il a entraînés ont été très importants. Onze biotopes répartis dans la zone agrumicole du périmètre irrigué du Tadla (Maroc) ont été étudiés. Le biotope 1, non traité, a servi de réfé- rence. Les trois méthodes d'avertissement utilisées conjointement ont été le piégeage des adultes mâles d'A. aurantii, le suivi de l'évolution de la dynamique des populations larvaires du ravageur et de son principal parasite Aphytis melinus, l'utilisation de la notion de degrés jours. Pour chacune de ces méthodes, un seuil d'intervention a été défini. Résultats et discussion. L'utilisation des trois techniques d'avertissement agricole et la considération des seuils requis par chacune d'elles ont permis de déterminer une période d'intervention précise et d'adapter le traitement préconisé (insecticides, huiles minérales ou aucun traitement, selon les cas) aux risques d'infestation. Par ailleurs, le parasitisme de A. aurantii par A. melinus a réduit significativement les populations du pou de Californie dans les parcelles non traitées. Conclusion. La méthode du calcul de degrés jours combinée au dénombrement des mâles du ravageur par piégeage peut constituer une base d'avertissement agricole efficace et à la portée des producteurs d'agrumes marocains. L'activité naturelle de A. melinus dans les con- ditions du Tadla reste insuffisante pour contrôler l'incidence économique de la cochenille.

Introduction. Jusqu'à présent, aucun protocole n'a été développé pour l'embryogenèse somatique de l'olivier Picholine, cultivar exploité dans près de 98 % des plantations d'oliviers au Maroc. Nos travaux ont donc cherché à étudier les effets de la composition du milieu de culture et de la lumière sur l'induction et le développement d'embryons somatiques chez ce cultivar. Matériel et méthodes. Après désinfection des noyaux d'olives Picholine, des cotylédons ont été mis en culture après suppression des embryons zygotiques. Ils ont été disposés en boîtes de Pétri soit entiers, soit en distinguant les parties proximales et distales. Pour la phase d'induction de cals embryogènes, quatre milieux de base [Murashige et Skoog (MS), Bourgin et Nitsch (BN), Schenk et Hildebrandt (SH) et Canas et Benbadis (OMc)], additionnés de régulateurs de croissance (zéatine et ANA), ont été testés soit à l'obscurité, soit en photopériode de 16 h. Après 6 semaines de culture sur ces milieux d'induction, les cals ont été transférés en tubes, dans des milieux de culture frais mais sans ANA et soumis à une photopériode de 16 h. À l'issue de cette phase, les plantules présentant des racines bien développées et au moins deux feuilles ont été repiquées dans des pots contenant un substrat et acclimatées en serre. Résultats. Les meilleurs résultats d'induction et de développement des embryons somatiques ont été obtenus avec le milieu MS et aucune morphogenèse n'a été observée sur le milieu OMc. L'incubation à la lumière a significativement réduit l'induction des cals embryogènes et a inhibé la régénération des plantules. Les parties proximales des cotylédons ont donné de meilleurs résultats que les parties distales. Le taux de régénération de plantules a atteint 40 % des explants mis en culture et le pourcentage de survie obtenu après leur acclimatation a atteint 94 %. Conclusion. Le protocole décrit a démontré la capacité embryogène du cultivar Picholine marocaine. Il pourra être exploité pour la propagation de cet olivier au Maroc.

Introduction. L'anthracnose des bananes, causée par Colletotrichum musae, est une maladie de conservation qui est généralement contrôlée par des traitements fongicides après la récolte. D'autres moyens de lutte sont aujourd'hui recherchés pour remplacer cette lutte chimique, dont l'épistillage et le gainage des inflorescences effectué habituellement au stade “ doigts horizontaux ” (Sdh). Compte tenu de la précocité de la pollution des fruits par C. musae, du rôle joué par l'eau de pluie comme agent de dissémination des conidies et de l'effet barrière que joue la gaine dans cette dissémination, nous avons voulu évaluer les conséquences, sur le niveau de contamination des fruits, d'un gainage précoce ou tardif. Par ailleurs, nous avons voulu évaluer la possibilité de remplacer l'épistillage au champ par un gainage à un stade très précoce plus facile à effectuer. Enfin, nous avons voulu vérifier qu'un gainage précoce pouvait entraîner un meilleur remplissage des fruits. Matériel et méthodes. Nous avons comparé différents stades de gainage (Sdh-7 j, Sdh, Sdh+7 j, Sdh+14 j, régimes non gainés) vis-à-vis de leurs effets sur la contamination des fruits, mais aussi sur leur croissance (nombre de cellules par fruit, poids moyen du fruit). Le gainage précoce (Sdh-7) a aussi été comparé à la combinaison épistillage/gainage au stade Sdh qui est une technique efficace mais coûteuse en main d'œuvre. Résultats. Les niveaux de contamination des fruits ont été significativement les plus élevés sur des régimes gainés tardivement (Sdh+7, Sdh+14) ou, pires, sur des régimes non gainés. Les taux de contamination les plus faibles ont été mesurés sur les fruits gainés précocement (Sdh-7) ou au Sdh, sans qu'il n'y ait de différences significatives entre ces deux traitements. Par ailleurs, le gainage précoce n'a pas autant réduit la contamination des fruits que l'épistillage au champ associé au gainage Sdh. Enfin, le stade de gainage a influencé la croissance des fruits. Conclusion. La pose précoce de la gaine avant le stade Sdh, voire à un stade plus précoce (Sdh-7), est recommandée.

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. Chinese jujubeoriginated in China and has become a leading fruit tree in the northernpart of China with total production of 4,250,000 t in 2009 and totalplanting area of 1,500,000 ha. Among the reported 944 Chinese jujubecultivars or strains, ‘Zanhuangdazao’ is the unique natural triploid cultivar;it is characterized by big fruit, high yield and good adaptabilitycompared with the other diploid cultivars. Therefore, our groupbegan polyploid breeding through colchicine induction starting in2000. Cultivar origin. ‘Chenguang’ is a new Chinese jujubecultivar induced by colchicine on the stem apex of the diploid ‘Linyilizao’.Through three years of top-grafting and purification, its characteristicswere observed in grafted and top-grafted experimental orchards continually.In 2009, ‘Chenguang’ was released by the Hebei Forestry CultivarExamination and Approval Committee and became the unique tetraploid Chinesejujube cultivar in the world to date. Cultivar characteristics.The somatic chromosome number, botanical character, phenologicalphase, productivity and adaptability are given. ‘Chenguang’ is suitablefor growing in Shanxi, Hebei, Shandong Province, where the annual averagetemperature is 12–14 °C and rainfall is above 400 mm, or similar soiland climate conditions. Main cultural techniques. Propagation,the training system, fruit setting and disease control are explainedand recommended.

Introduction. Natural flowering is an obstacle for the management of pineapple production. This phenomenon is at the origin of considerable and increasing fruit losses on an international scale. The objective of this work was to determine, at various times of the year, the role of substances inhibiting the vegetative growth of the plant to prevent, reduce or delay the natural pineapple flowering of the variety `Perola', most planted in Brazil. Materials and methods. Two trials were conducted in the experimental field in Cruz das Almas, Bahia, Brasil, during the years 1996 to 1999. Various growth substances were tested at various con- centrations: propionic acid 2-(3-chlorophenoxy) (ACP) at (45, 90 and 120) mg·L-1, paclobutra- zole (PBZ) at (77.4, 155.8 and 320) mg·L-1, mepiquat chlorure (MC) at (60 and 120) mg·L-1, gibberelic acid (GA3) at (30 and 60) mg·L-1, tebuconazole (TBZ) at (60 and 120) mg·L-1 and propaconazole (PPZ) at 120 mg·L-1. The treatments were applied onto two, three or four split applications, every 15 days, from 7:00 to 9:00 a.m. and from April to July (the critical period for natural flowering in the region). Results and discussion. The results obtained show that ACP and PBZ are capable of inhibiting, reducing and delaying the natural flowering of pine- apple with the concentrations of (90 to 240) mg·L-1. The best results were obtained when the growth regulators were applied during April and May. The other products did not have an effect on the natural flowering of pineapple. Conclusion. The variation observed in the effects and efficiencies of the growth regulators used indicates the necessity of validating the best treatments under different environmental and cultural conditions. The selected growth regulators can be a valuable tool for physiological studies on the mechanisms of flowering initiation in pineapple.

Introduction. Mature-green Golden apples (Spondias cytherea Sonnerat) are used in the French West Indies for the preparation of a nectar. With the aim of improving the fruit processing conditions for a better quality of this beverage, morphological and compositional characteristics of the mature-green fruits were determined. Materials and methods. Mature-green fruits were harvested in Martinique (French West Indies) and characterised: diameter, length, mass, and colour were determined; pH, titratable acidity, soluble solids, sugars, proteins, starch, fibre, vitamin C, phenols and green pigments were measured. Results and discussion. Average fruit length, diameter and weight were 71 mm, 54 mm and 116.4 g, respectively. With a low pH (2.6) and a high titratable acidity (1.3 g citric acid Eq·100 g–1 fresh material), mature-green Golden apple is an acidic fruit comparable to the lemon. The fruit is rich in vitamin C (52.0 mg·100 g–1), phenols (349.5 mg gallic acid Eq·100 g–1) and starch (7.1 g·100 g–1). The pale green colour of the pulp is due to pheophytins a and b. Conclusion. Our study provided a detailed analysis of mature-green Golden apples, which will be taken into account for the improvement of nectar processing conditions.

Introduction. In the French West Indies, farmers generally consider that periodical soil tillage is necessary to increase soil porosity and maintain high yield. However, in the non-tilled perennial banana plantations of the highlands, the soil exhibits better physical and biological properties than in the conventional banana plantations. To determine if tillage before banana planting is necessary for proper banana crop functioning and to assess the effect of tillage on soil quality, banana planting after conventional tillage was compared with no-till banana planting on crop residue mulch on an experimental plot. Materials and methods. Soil quality was assessed through indicators such as porosity, organic status, microbial biomass and structure of nematode communities. Crop functioning was assessed through plant growth, root distribution, and soil water and nitrogen availability. Results. We found that tillage reduced soil microbial biomass and the number of nematode functional guilds. Tillage had only a short-term effect on soil porosity and did not allow deeper extension of the root system. Although soil organic nitrogen mineralization was higher with conventional tillage, banana nitrogen nutrition was not better, probably because the high nitrogen fertilization offset the variations in availability of nitrogen from organic origin. We found that banana growth was better with no-till treatment. This could be explained by less drying out of soil due to the crop residue mulch left on the soil surface with no-till treatment. Conclusion. Relative to conventional tillage, no-till banana planting improved soil quality and crop performance.

Introduction. Le manguier aujourd’hui très apprécié en Afrique de l’Ouest pour ses fruits et son ombrage est pourtant d’introduction récente en Afrique. L’article retrace l’historique de son expansion dans la zone. L'expansion du manguier en Afrique de l’Ouest. Originaire d’Inde, le manguier a été signalé pour la première fois en Afrique de l’Ouest, au Sénégal, en 1824. C’est à la fin du xixe siècle que les manguiers ont commencé à connaître une diffusion significative, surtout dans les zones côtières. Leur extension deviendra importante pendant la première moitié du xxe siècle. Un manguier Amélie introduit au Mali vers 1890 fut à l’origine de nombreux plants greffés qui furent largement diffusés dans les pays limitrophes. Dès la fin des années 1940, des collections furent établies progressivement dans toute la zone et, au cours de la décennie 1970–1980, chaque pays d’Afrique de l’Ouest francophone possédait au moins une collection de manguiers. l'évolution des exportations. Le Mali fut le premier pays à exporter, vers la fin des années 1960, des mangues vers l’Europe. Il fut suivi par le Burkina, la Guinée, le Sénégal, et surtout la Côte d’Ivoire, dont les exportations, d’environ 2 500 t au début des années 1990, ont été multipliées par 4,5 en 2000. Cette croissance rapide des exportations ivoiriennes a bénéficié de la présence d’une façade maritime et d’un effet de masse créé par les exportations de bananes et d’ananas. Amélie a longtemps constitué l’essentiel des exportations du Mali, du Burkina Faso et de la Côte d’Ivoire. Cependant dès 1971, des expéditions expérimentales de mangues colorées furent réalisées avec succès. La consommation de mangues se démocratisant en Europe, le choix variétal s’est progressivement resserré : Amélie, en début de campagne, puis Kent, Keitt et Palmer. Parallèlement à cette évolution variétale, les techniques de conditionnement se sont progressivement modernisées.

Introduction. Citrus aurantium L. sour oranges are poorly exploited in Tunisia, although the Tunisian Cap Bon is one of the major areas of production of sour orange trees. Our study aimed at determining the effect of the geographic origin of the raw material on quality of orange marmalades and consumer acceptance. Materials and methods. Fresh sour oranges were collected from five areas in the Cap Bon region in the North-East of Tunisia for producing marmalades. Physicochemical characterisation of marmalades from the five different origins included the determination of soluble solids, total and volatile acidity, the measurement of reducing sugars, and measurement of colour. Sensory panels from Tunisia, Algeria and Europe revealed the marmalades’ sensory profiles. The sensory panels then attributed preference and acceptance ranks for the five marmalades. Results and discussion. The analyses highlighted an effect of the geographic origin of the raw material on the physicochemical quality. The most suitable geographic conditions seem to be climatic and edaphic criteria. Assessors from various nationalities revealed different sensory profiles depending on the consumer’s nationality and fruit production region. In addition, Tunisian consumers are less likely to be marmalade buyers than European and Algerian consumers.

Introduction. While researchers have paid considerable attention to the effect of soil salinity on crop yield, methodological impediments remain when salinity is combined with other growth factors, especially in farmers’ fields. A specific methodology was adapted to assess the effect of waterlogging and salinity on date palm yield (Phoenix dactylifera L. cv. Deglet Noor). Materials and methods. Date palm yield, water table depth, irrigation water, groundwater and soil salinity were measured in 167 field plots located in five irrigation sectors of the Wargla basin (Algeria). Variance analysis and a boundary line approach were combined to analyze actual and potential yields according to environmental stresses. Results and discussion. High soil salinity resulted from saline irrigation water and a shallow water table. Actual yield decreased with the increase in soil salinity, the decrease in water table depth, and the presence of a gypsum-cemented horizon within the soil profile. The significant effect of the interaction between water table depth and soil salinity showed that the crop responded to the most severe stress rather than to combinations of the individual effects. Potential yield was assessed according to classes of water table depth, soil salinity and the occurrence of a gypsum-cemented horizon. The relationship between soil salinity and potential yield was calibrated according to two models. The limiting factors in order of decreasing importance were shallow water table, high soil salinity and occurrence of a gypsum-cemented horizon for 38.3%, 16.8% and 2.4% of the field plots, respectively; there was no limiting factor for 42.5% of the field plots. In certain sectors, actual yields remained far below potential yields and the additional effect of irrigation water salinity could thus be considered.

Introduction. The Brazilian Savannah has one of the richestbiodiversities in the world and contains native fruits presenting high nutritional value.These fruits are the basis for sustaining wildlife and also serve as a food source for thepopulation. Among these, the ‘araçá of Cerrado’ (Psidium firmum O. Berg),a fruit found naturally in the Brazilian Savannah, stands out. Therefore, we evaluated thephysical characteristics, chemical composition, and occurrence and content of vitamin C,carotenoids, vitamin E and folates in ‘araçá of Cerrado’ from the Savannah of MinasGerais, Brazil. Materials and methods. Titratable acidity was determined byvolumetric neutralization, pH by potentiometry, soluble solids by refractometry, moistureusing an oven, ash using a muffle furnace, protein by the micro-Kjeldhal method, totaldietary fiber by the gravimetric non-enzymatic method, and lipids with a Soxhletextractor. Vitamin C (ascorbic and dehydroascorbic acids) and carotenoids (α-carotene,β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin and lycopene) were analyzed by HPLC-DAD. Vitamin E (α, β, γand δ-tocopherols and α, β, γ and δ-tocotrienols) and folates (tetrahydrofolate,5-methyltetrahydrofolate and 5-formyltetrahydrofolate) were analyzed by HPLC withfluorescence detection. Results and discussion. The araçá presented a highpulp yield (81.43%), soluble solids (11.93 °Brix), moisture (77.46%), dietary fiber(12.32 g·100 g–1) and folates (47.25 mg·100 g–1). It presented a low total energy value of43.19 kcal·100 g–1, and low contents of carotenoids (0.32 mg·100 g–1) and vitamin E(336.43 mg·100 g–1). Vitamin C was not found in the fruit. Conclusion. ‘araçáof Cerrado’ fruit stands out due to its high yield and showed good nutritional value,being classified as an excellent source of dietary fiber and at least a source of folates.Thus, its consumption should be encouraged.

Abstract – Introduction. The Cerrado is a Brazilian biome that has a largeplant heterogeneity. Among the fruit species of the Cerrado, the tamarind stands out dueto its economic potential and use in human feeding. Our study evaluated the physical andphysicochemical characteristics, and occurrence and content of vitamin C, carotenoids,vitamin E and folates in tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.) from the Cerradoof Minas Gerais, Brazil. Materials and methods. The length, diameter, massand fruit yield of tamarind were evaluated. Titratable acidity was determined byvolumetric neutralization, pH by potentiometry, soluble solids by refractometry, moistureusing an oven, ash using a muffle furnace, protein by the micro-Kjeldhal method, totaldietary fiber by the gravimetric non-enzymatic method, and lipids with a Soxhletextractor. Vitamin C and carotenoids were analyzed by HPLC-DAD, and vitamin E and folatesby HPLC with fluorescence detection. Results and discussion. Tamarind pulp iscomposed mainly of carbohydrates (50.07 g·100 g–1) and moisture (35.29 g·100 g–1); it canbe considered a good source of dietary fiber (4.13 g·100 g–1). The pH, titratable acidityand soluble solids are 2.95, 18.52 g tartaric acid·100 g–1 and 44.00 °Brix, respectively.Contents of vitamin C (4.79 mg·100 g–1) and folates (59.35 µg·100 g–1) in the tamarind arehigher than those observed in traditional fruits. However, the fruit presents low vitaminE content (108.78 µg·100 g–1). Conclusion. The tamarind stands out due to itsnutritional value, being a good source of vitamin C and dietary fiber, and an excellentsource of folates.

Introduction. Innovation in the management of perishability/freshness is an essential theme of the future fruit sector, not only for commercial and distribution systems but also for production. Plastic films with modified atmospheres represent a postharvest technology that can be used to store stone fruits, such as apricots, that have a short shelf life when maintained in a normal atmosphere under cold conditions. The aim of our work was to evaluate the effect of several packaging materials on the postharvest quality of apricot fruits stored for 21 days by considering the most important qualitative traits. Materials and methods. Modified atmosphere technology with different packaging materials was used to store apricot fruits cv. Tom Cot® at (+1 ± 0.5) °C and 90–95% relative humidity (RH). Different passive modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) conditions were developed because of the interaction between fruit respiration and the different oxygen and carbon dioxide barriers of the films. The effects of MAP were evaluated on the postharvest quality of the fruits by monitoring the headspace gas composition, weight loss, fruit flesh firmness (FFF), total soluble solids content (TSS), titratable acidity (TA) and skin colour. Results and discussion. Changes in packaging headspace gas composition were observed for all films used, but only multilayer films and biodegradable film maintained the MAP conditions until the end of storage. Wrapped fruits lost less weight than fruits maintained under normal conditions; in particular, multilayer films maintained the highest FFF values after 21 days. The biodegradable film exhibited good performance in terms of maintaining the CO2 and O2 equilibrium inside the baskets by balancing the fruits’ respiration and the film’s permeability. Traditional plastic materials, such as multilayer films, and more sustainable films, such as the biodegradable film used in our study, can be successfully employed to store apricot fruits cv. Tom Cot® for up to 21 days in passive MAP conditions.

Introduction. Olive processing in producing countries, such as Iran, is often not well synchronized with crop harvests due to the number and size of the oil-extraction facilities. After harvest, olives might be piled in heaps and stored at ambient temperatures for up to several weeks and, during this period, the greatest deterioration takes place. Therefore, the green olive processing industry is interested in the use of an alternative to the above pre-processing storage method for fresh olives. Materials and methods. Green olives cvs. Blady, Conservolea Mission and Shengeh were harvested at the mature green stage and stored at (5, 10 and 20) °C for 10–15 weeks to evaluate their postharvest physiology and quality changes. In the second year of the experiment, olives were treated with 1-MCP at concentrations of (0.45, 0.9 and 1.8) µL·L–1 at 20 °C for 24 h and stored at 5 °C. Olive quality was measured periodically for skin color, fresh firmness, mass loss and fruit deterioration. Results and discussion. Generally, storage of olive fruits at (5, 10 and 20) °C caused a decrease in flesh firmness, but fruit softening was faster in fruits stored at (20 and 10) °C than in fruits at 5 °C. Olives stored for 60 d at 5 °C showed no symptoms of chilling injury whatever the cultivar. Olive cultivars retained satisfactory firm flesh above 2 kg for 60 d at 5 °C, 30 d at 10 °C and 15 d at 20 °C. After 60 d of storage, red skin color development did not progress much with fruits stored at 5 °C, but there was a significant difference with the other temperature treatments. However, cv. Shengeh developed red skin color greater and sooner than other cultivars did. In the second year of the experiment, 1-MCP treatment effectively reduced loss of firmness for fruits stored at 5 °C for 15 weeks. Application of (0.9 and 1.8) µL 1-MCP·L-1 was sufficient to delay significantly olive softening and color changes (P < 0.05), compared with control untreated fruits. Conclusion. Conservolea, Mission and Blady olive cvs. can be stored for up to 60 d at 5 °C and this could be extended to 15 weeks when fruits are treated with (0.9 and 1.8) µL 1-MCP·L-1 before storage.