Agronomical Performances of Angolan Natural Oil Palm Accessions and Interests for Oil Palm Selection in Côte d’Ivoire

In Côte d’Ivoire, Deli populations, descendants of four oil palms, constituted Group A of the recurrent reciprocal selection. Their genetic base was narrow, an obstacle to long-term genetic progress. Therefore, Angolan oil palm accessions were acquired to broaden Group A’s genetic base. Angola selfed and Deli × Angola progenies were tested via Angola selfed × La Mé and (Deli × Angola) × La Mé intergroup hybrids for bunch and oil production, height growth, and tolerance to Fusarium in two progeny trials; one in La Mé (Côte d’Ivoire) and the other one in Bangun Bandar (Indonesia). On average, bunch yield (183 kg/palm/year) and oil yield (5.34 t/ha) were close to those of the control. The best 5 hybrids represented 104-112% of the control all traits put together. In addition, Angolan origin has transmitted tolerance to Fusarium to its progenies (Fusarium index = 80-90). [(Deli × Angola)’s LM 5448 T] × La Mé hybrids yielded 241.4 kg/palm/year of bunch and 7.30 t/ha of palm oil. Their mean height was comparable to that of the control and the Fusarium index low (82). Therefore, LM 5448 T was selected for further crop improvements. The modalities of its use were proposed.

Использование регуляторов роста растений для реализации продуктивного потенциала столового сорта винограда велика в зависимости от гидротермических условий периода вегетации

In field experience, the influence of two-fold processing of table grape plants was studied by the Gibber-ellin, Zircon and Epin extra growth regulators on the structure of the bunch, yield and saccharinity of berry juice depending on the hydrothermal conditions of the growing season. It was established that the treatment of grape plants of the Great variety by growth regulators allows to reduce the negative influence of adverse ex-ternal factors and increase the productivity and quality of grape berries. Under more humidified conditions, treatment of Epin Extra plants (3.2 ml/l) contributes to an increase in yield by 82%, in dry conditions - Zir-conom (0.6 ml/l) by 1.5 times compared to control. The use of growth regulators contributes to a greater ac-cumulation of sugar in the juice of berries.

Effects of Weed Management Strategies and Organic Matter in Plantain (Musa paradisiaca L. ABB) Yield in Agricultural Research Farm, Afaha Nsit, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Effects of weed infestation on plantain bunch yield in Nigeria is very alarming coupled with low nutritional status of the tropical soil. Therefore, field experiments were carried out in 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 to investigate the effects of weed management strategies and organic manure on the performance of plantain (Musa paradisiaca L.ABB). The experiments were carried out in Agricultural Education Research Farm, College of Education, Afaha Nsit. Seven treatments were replicated three times. These were sweet potato (20,000 plants/ha) + poultry manure (20t/ha); sweet potato (20,000plants/ha) + sawdust (40t/ha); hand-slashing at three months interval + poultry manure (20t/ha); hand-slashing at three months interval + sawdust 40t/ha; sweet potato + egusi-melon + poultry manure (20t/ha); sweet potato + egusi-melon + sawdust (40t/ha) and weedy + no organic manure. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design. Analysis of variance was carried out on data obtained on weed studies and plantain performance. Means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test at 5% probability level. The unfertilized weedy plot reduced plantain bunch yield by 89.7% followed by 41.9% and 43.0% obtained from the sawdust treatment plots integrated with egusi-melon plus hand-slashed and sweet potato respectively. The treatment plot of sweet potato integrated with egusi-melon plus poultry manure (20t/ha) significantly controlled weeds satisfactorily, accelerated plantain growth, reduced 50% flowering time by 23.5% and significantly enhanced plantain bunch yield hence; it is recommended. Keywords: Plantain, sweet potato, hand-slashing, organic manure.

Yield, seasonality and plant health care of banana ‘BRS Conquista’ covered with different coloured polyethylene bags

Bananas are the world’s most popular fruit. Nonetheless, a great part of the production is lost, mainly for insect and disease incidences. Thus, cover developing banana bunches is a promising physical protection method that will improve the visual quality of the fruits, especially the rapidly growing consumer demand for healthy fruits. In fact, bags serve as protective barrier, allowing the production of free fruit damage; consequently, lowering production costs by cutting crop losses, as well as avoiding chemical materials. There is a wide variety of bag types and colours, but also, there is a scarce literature on their efficiency. This study hence aimed to evaluate the influence of coloured polyethylene bags on yield, seasonality and plant health of the ‘BRS Conquista’ bananas in subtropical high-altitude growing conditions. Treatments therefore consisted of using white, black, red and blue polyethylene bags, besides control (uncovered). Then, bags were randomly distributed in five blocks, four plants per plot. After bunch harvest, the following evaluation were proceeded: agronomic yield, the interval between bunches cover and harvest, injuries caused by thrips and the incidence of anthracnose. Results indicated that banana bunch coverings did not interfere in bunch yield. Nevertheless, white and black bags reduced the interval between bunch covers and harvest, that is, 114 and 115 days, respectively. Furthermore, white and red bags reduced the damage caused by thrips in fruits; while white, red and blue bags decreased the anthracnose incidence. This study therefore recommends the use of white polyethylene bags to cover banana bunches of the cultivar BRS Conquista, since this bag colour showed highly efficiency in controlling thrips and anthracnose incidence, besides reducing the interval between bunch cover and harvest.

Assessing the Potential of Elaeis guineensis Plantations for Carbon Sequestration and Fresh Fruit Bunch Yield in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu

Elaeis guineensis is one of the potential carbon sequestering perennial crop by biological means. It has helped in the mitigating global warming and climatic fluctuations. The main objective of our study is to evacuate the hidden potential treasure of oil palm in carbon sequestration and vegetable oil yield. In this study we selected Tenera hybrids oil palm plantations in Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu with standard management practices. It had been selected in the year 2019 and assessed for carbon sequestration potential and Fresh fruit bunch yield by non-destructive carbon stock assessment methods and standard estate practices for harvest. In our study the carbon sequestration is higher in trunks found to be 15.3 t C/ha (tons carbon per hectare) in 5 years and 26.6 t C/ha in 10 years while roots sequestered carbon for about 4.0 t C/ha in 5 years and 6.93 t C/ha in 10 years plantations. The fronds sequesters about 1.39 t C/ha in 5 years and 2.1 t C/ha in 10 years oil palm plantations while the fresh fruit bunch yield in 5 years and 10 years plantations were found to be 7.60 t/ha/year (tons per hectare per year) and 12.31 t/ha/year respectively. The present study evidenced that the biomass production and fresh fruit bunch yield in oil palm proportionally increases with the age group. This study holds that the higher biomass production which increases carbon sequestration and yields in oil palm helps in altering of the microclimate and to increase the economic benefits of farming communities.

Characteristics of Fresh Fruit Bunch Yield and the Physicochemical Qualities of Palm Oil during Storage in North Sumatra, Indonesia

This study examines the fresh fruit bunch (FFB) yield and the effect of fruit storage on the quality of palm oil in Bangun Bandar Estate, Dolok Masihul, North Sumatra, with special reference to the physicochemical parameters. The quality of palm oil is mostly determined by the color, free fatty acids (FFAs), moisture, impurities, carotene content, and deterioration of bleachability index (DOBI). The palm fruits were stored in a refrigerator for 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after harvesting before analyzing their carotenoid content, DOBI, FFAs, moisture, and impurities. The results showed that the potency of the crude palm oil (CPO) types, dura, pisifera, and tenera, were 23.5, 26.2, and 23.6%, respectively. The carotenoid content and DOBI of the palm oil types, dura, pisifera, and tenera, were decreased significantly by lengthy storage of the fruit. By contrast, lengthy storage of the fruit significantly increased the FFA, moisture, and impurity contents of these palm oil types, indicating that this reduced the quality of the palm oil. Oil processed from FFB has excellent quality with a high carotene content and DOBI, and a low concentration of FFA, moisture, and impurities. The present study contributes to palm oil stability and nutritional value.