Introduction. Nos travaux ont eu pour objectif de comparer les performancesagronomiques des plants d’un hybride de bananier plantain (CRBP-39, Musacv. AAAB) obtenus par utilisation de deux méthodes de multiplication végétative : laculture de tissus in vitro (CIV) et une technique de propagation parmultiplication de plants à partir de fragments de tiges (dite technique des PIF)développée récemment. L'étude, effectuée au Cameroun, a été menée en altitude (1250 m) ;elle a porté sur un cycle de culture. L'hybride CRBP-39 a été choisi en raison de sarésistance à la maladie des raies noires et de ses performances agronomiques.Matériel et méthodes. Des vitroplants et des plants obtenus par latechnique des PIF, technique de propagation horticole développée au CARBAP (Cameroun), ontété plantés séparément en blocs, dans des parcelles de terrain élémentaires de 16 plants.Aucun traitement chimique n'a été appliqué contre la maladie des raies noires. Lesobservations ont été faites essentiellement sur des caractéristiques agronomiques.Résultats et discussion. Pour le pied-mère, il n'y a eu aucune différencesignificative entre les plantes obtenues à partir de l'une ou de l’autre méthode demultiplication végétative quant à la taille et au périmètre de la pseudo-tige ; le nombrede feuilles fonctionnelles à la floraison ; la durée du cycle de production ; le poids derégime ; le nombre de mains et de fruits du régime ; la longueur et la circonférence dufruit. Pour le rejet successeur, il y a eu des différences significatives de taille et depérimètre de la pseudo-tige, ainsi que du nombre de feuilles émises et fonctionnelles à larécolte. Ces résultats montrent globalement une grande similitude des caractéristiquesagronomiques des plants issus des deux méthodes de multiplication végétative. La techniquedes PIF, de plus en plus utilisée compte tenu de sa simplicité, son faible coût deproduction et sa rapidité de mise en œuvre, est donc une technique horticole qui permet deproduire des plants de qualité agronomique comparable aux vitroplants.

Introduction. The conservation status of many wild fruit tree species thatsupport rural people in Africa remains poorly documented despite its importance for theirmanagement. We compared the viability of tamarind (Tamarindus indica)populations, a dry land species that has nutritional, medicinal and cultural importancefor rural communities, under different human-pressure levels. Materials andmethods. The data relative to the tree diameter and height as well as the numberof adults and stems were collected in plots of inventory and made it possible to calculatethe dendrometric parameters for each targeted population, and to establish their diameterdistribution. The dendrometric characteristics were analyzed by using nonparametric testsand the diameter distribution was adjusted to a truncated normal distribution.Results and discussion. Numbers of mature tamarind trees per hectare andregeneration (expressed as stem·ha–1) were relatively low, suggesting tamarindpopulations may not be self-rejuvenating. Nonetheless, significant variation occurredbetween habitat types (P < 0.001). Mature tree density in galleryforests [(18.2 ± 10.1) trees·ha–1] was three to eight times higher than that ofsavannah woodlands [(5 ± 4.5) trees·ha–1] and farmlands[(2.5 ± 0.4) trees·ha–1]. Young plants followed the same trend, with(11.2 ± 9.3) plants·ha–1, (1.1 ± 0.6) plants·ha–1, and0.00 plants·ha–1, respectively. Diameter size class distributions departedfrom normality (P < 0.0001) and coefficient of skewness waspositive irrespective of habitat type, indicating declining populations. However, mediandiameter values would suggest the species’ populations in farmlands and savannah woodlandsto be more vulnerable than those occurring in gallery forests. These findings wouldsuggest that gallery forests best suit tamarind in situ conservation. Theobserved severe reduction of trees and juveniles in farmlands and woodlands may negativelyimpact the long-term viability of tamarind populations. Juveniles’ introduction intofarmlands may be needed to ensure conservation in agroforestry systems.

Introduction. The increase in diabetes and obesity has increased the demandfor reduced sugar products such as jams and jellies. Four jelly formulations were preparedusing date juice which was enriched with pectin and lemon flavors. Materials andmethods. Reduced quantities of sugars (45% and 55%) were added to the juice atdifferent pH (3 and 3.5). The prepared jellies were evaluated for physico-chemical andsensory properties. Results and discussion. The water activity values forjellies ranged between 0.767 and 0.804, making them safe from the development of themajority of bacteria. The addition of less quantity of sugar, as well as the decreased pH,resulted in significantly firmer jellies, with higher adhesiveness, chewiness andcohesiveness. Sensory evaluation showed that the prepared jellies averaged 4.17–5.47 and4.59–5.67 for taste and firmness, respectively, in a 7-point hedonic scale consumeracceptance study. The most appreciated jellies were those prepared withthe lowest sugar content, with a slight preference for that with a pH of 3.5. Significantdifferences were not found between scores for the other sensory attributes (color,transparency, brightness, odor and springiness).

Introduction. In-package biofumigation with the volatile-producing fungusMuscodor albus was tested to control fungal decay in organic tablegrapes stored at a commercial packinghouse. Materials and methods. Sachetscontaining two different amounts of activated M. albus culture wereinserted into shipping boxes containing approximately 4.5 kg of ‘Thompson Seedless’ or‘Red Seedless’ table grapes. The volatiles were contained inside the boxes either bywrapping pallets of the boxes externally with plastic film after pre-cooling (palletwrapping) or by using a modified atmosphere liner inside each box. Decay incidence wasevaluated after 7 weeks of storage at 0 °C. Results. TheM. albus sachets reduced decay incidence among ‘Red Seedless’ tablegrapes in both wrapped pallets and boxes with liners. In this cultivar, the modifiedatmosphere liner alone reduced decay incidence by about 70% and the M. albustreatment in the liner further reduced decay incidence, regardless of the amountof M. albus used. The combination of the M. albus sachetand the modified atmosphere liner proved to be the most effective decay control treatment.Decay incidence was lower among ‘Thompson Seedless’ table grapes and a significant decaycontrol was only observed after the grapes had been allowed to warm up after storage withthe 50-g rates applied inside the liner. No adverse effects were associated with thetreatment or the liners. Discussion. Based on our results, biofumigation withM. albus sachets is compatible with the commercial handling of organictable grapes and could provide significant improvement in their shelf life.

Introduction. Shanxi province is one of the main walnut production areas inthe North of China. The cultivated species mainly belong to a Chinese walnut treepopulation, named ‘Mian Hetao’ (Juglans regia L.), which reproduces fromseedlings. Although the walnut apomixis characteristics were discovered very early andhave an important breeding value, this variety has not yet been reported as an importantbreeding resource. Cultivar origin. ‘Qinquan 1’ is a new cultivar of walnuttree (Juglans regia L.), selected in 1982 from walnut seedling resourcesin the department of Shanxi, in the North of China. This cultivar is characterized byapomixis, the ratio of which can reach 24.7%. After more than 20 years of selection andmany local experiments, its characteristics were given and the cultivar was certificatedin March 2007. Cultivar characteristics. Characteristics of ‘Qinquan 1’fruits, trees, development stages, production and the apomixis rate are given. Maincultural techniques. Many characteristics of this new cultivar are suitable forits growth in the middle or south Loess Highlands (China), where the annual averagetemperature is 9~13 °C and rainfall is above 450 mm. The cultivar is also cultivable inthe North of China where the soil and climate conditions resemble those of the originalarea. Other recommendations are given for improving the ‘Qinquan 1’ tree growth.

Introduction. This protocol describes a method for obtainingwell-established banana plants in the field, both for open-air and greenhouse cultivation,from hardened tissue culture nursery plants. The principle, starting material and timerequired are presented. Materials and methods. This part describes theprocess of land preparation, both in the case of planting and replanting, includingpreplant fertilizer requirements and irrigation recommendations, and the mainhorticultural practices appropriate both for planting out in the field and for the firstmonths after planting. Special attention is given to correct irrigation, a key issue inthe establishment process. Possible problem areas for troubleshooting are listed.Results. At the end of the process, vigorous plants with uniform growth andhigh yield potential are planted out and become optimally established in the commercialfield.