Effects of Ethrel, packaging and waxing on degreening, quality and shelf life of sweet oranges

     Post harvest handling practices of sweet oranges are very poor in the Sudan and result in great losses. Oranges grown in central Sudan reach the ripe stage while they are still green in colour. The lack of orange colour development is due to the relatively high temperatures in this region. Therefore, the objective of this research was to find out the effects of Ethrel, packaging and waxing on sweet orange degreening, quality and shelf life. Experiments were conducted at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Gezira, Wad Medani, Sudan, during the seasons of 2013-2014. Ripe, green oranges were treated with Ethrel at two concentrations: 1ml/l, 2ml/l or left untreated as a control. Packaging treatments consisted of wrapping oranges in intact or perforated polyethylene film, waxed or left unpackaged as control. Treatments were arranged in a completely randomized design with two replicates. Results showed that treatment of oranges with Ethrel at both concentrations significantly resulted in degreening of oranges and development of a uniform orange colour as compared to the control. Oranges packaged in intact polyethylene film or waxed recorded the minimum weight loss followed by those wrapped in perforated film, whereas the highest weight loss was recorded for the unpackaged and unwaxed oranges. Also, packaging in intact film or waxing of oranges resulted in the longest shelf life compared to the other treatments. Total soluble solids and vitamin C contents were highest in oranges packaged in intact film or waxed, whereas the least contents were recorded for the control. Ethrel treatment had no significant adverse effects on orange chemical composition. It is recommended to degreen oranges using Ethrel at 2ml/l and package them in intact polymeric film or coat them with wax.   معاملات ما بعد الحصاد للبرتقال في السودان غير متطورة وينتج عنها خسائر كبيرة. يصل البرتقال المنتج في أواسط السودان إلى طور النضج وهو أخضر اللون. يعزى عدم تلوين البرتقال إلى ارتفاع درجات الحرارة في هذه المنطقة.  الهدف من هذه الدراسة هو معرفة أثر مادة الأثرل على تلوين البرتقال وتأثير التغليف والتشميع على جودة وفترة صلاحية البرتقال. أجريت التجارب في كلية العلوم الزراعية، جامعة الجزيرة واد مدني السودان خلال موسمي 2013-2014م. تمت معاملة ثمار البرتقال الأخضر بمادة الأثرل 1 و 2 ملم/لتر أو ترك كشاهد. معاملات التغليف اشتملت على تغليف البرتقال في أكياس البولي إيثلين السليمة أو المخرمة أو التشميع أو بدون تغليف كشاهد. صممت التجارب نسق التصميم العشوائي الكامل بمكررين. أوضحت النتائج أن معاملة البرتقال بمادة الأثرل أدت إلى زوال اللون الأخضر وتلوين البرتقال بلون برتقالي جميل بالمقارنة مع الشاهد. تغليف البرتقال في أكياس البولي إثيلين السليمة أو تشميعه أدى إلى أدنى فقدان الوزن، يليه التغليف في أكياس مخرمة، بينما كان أعلى فقدان الوزن في الشاهد. محتوى المواد الصلبة الذائبة وفيتامين "ج" كان أعلى في البرتقال الذي تم تغليفه في أكياس البولي إيثلين السليمة أو التشميع، بينما كان أدنى محتوى في الشاهد. معاملة البرتقال بمادة الأثرل لم يكن لها أي تأثير ضار على التركيب الكيميائي للبرتقال. لذلك يوصي بمعاملة البرتقال الأخضر بمادة الأثرل لتلوينه وتغليف الثمار في أكياس البولي إيثلين السلمية أو التشميع للحفاظ على الجودة وزيادة فترة الصلاحية أو العمر التخزينية للبرتقال.   &nbsp

Effect of cultivar, packaging treatments and temperature on post-harvest quality of okra

ABSTRACT    Okra is one of the most popular vegetable crops in Sudan. The introduced cultivars such as Pusa Swani and Clemson Spineless have smooth pods and more adapted to the winter conditions of central Sudan. However, the local cultivar, Khartoumia, has hairy pods and not acceptable in international markets. Okra pods are highly perishable and subject to shriveling especially under the hot arid conditions of central Sudan. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the effect of packaging and temperature on the shelf life of okra pods of three introduced cultivars. Treatments consisted of three okra cultivars, namely, Clemson Spineless, Pusa Swani and Mahyco (hybrid); packaging treatments consisted of packing okra pods in cartons lined with intact polyethylene film, perforated polyethylene film or in cartons only and storage temperatures were 140C and 320C. Results showed that pods of the  cultivar Mahyco had the lowest weight loss, retained good colour and had the least decay and rot. Packaging of okra pods in intact or perforated polyethylene film and storing at 140C reduced weight loss and resulted in the best pod colour compared to the control. Packaging in perforated polyethylene film and storing at 140C resulted in the lowest incidence of decay and rot and best overall quality of pods. It is recommended to package okra pods in perforated polyethylene film and ship them to markets at 140C

Effect of Chicken Manure, N and P on Yield and Quality of Muskmelon (Cucumis melo var. Reticulatus Naud)

Two experiments were conducted at the National Institute for the Promotion of Horticultural Exports (NPÆ) Research Farm, Wad Medani, Sudan, during the summer of 20m and winter of 2000/2001, to study the effects of chicken manure, nitrogen and phosphorus on muskmelon yield and quality. The treatments were four levels of chicken manure (0, 4.5, 9 and 18t/ha), two levels of nitrogen (0 and 55kg N/ha) and two levels of phosphorus (0 and 55 kg P205/ha) arranged in a randomized complete block design with 3 replications. The results showed that muskmelon growth, yield and quality were significantly affected by chicken manure, N and P application. The most vigorous plant growth, the highest fruit yield and the largest fruits with best netting and highest total soluble solids were obtained by the application of 18 tons of chicken manure with 55kg N and 55kg P205/ha

Response of Banana "Williams Hybrid" to Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium Fertilization

Field experiments were conducted at the National Institute for Promotion of Horticultural Exports (NIPHE) research farm during the period of 2001 to 2002 to determine the effects of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium levels on growth parameters, earliness, nutrient uptake, yield and yield components of "William's hybrid" banana cultivar. Treatments included 5 N levels (0, 69, 138, 207 and 276g N/mat/year), 2 P levels (0 and 20 g P/mat/year) and 2 K levels (0 and 41 g K/mat/year) . The treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with 3 replications. Banana growth, yield and yield components were significantly increased by N and K application. The highest vegetative growth parameters, yield and yield components were obtained with the application of 207 g N/mat/year in combination with 41 g K/mat/year. Application of N in combination with K also resulted in a significant reduction in the period from plant-ing to shooting and from shooting to fruit maturation. The shortest number of days to shooting were obtained with the application of 276 g N/mat/year. Application of N, P and K also resulted in increased leaf N, P and K contents. Application of P alone or in combinations with N and K had no significant effects on growth or yield parameters

Effects of nitrogen source, rate and foliar application on some leaf mineral nutrient contents and yield of “Sinnari” sweet oranges (Citrus sinensis L.) in the River Nile State, Sudan

      Sweet orange production in the Sudan is characterized by low yield and poor fruit quality. This research was aimed at determining the effects of nitrogen source, rate and foliar application on some leaf mineral nutrient content and yield of “Sinnari” sweet oranges in  the River Nile State during 2010/11 and 2011/12. Nitrogen sources were urea (100%), sheep manure (SM) (100%), or a combination of them (50% each), beside Wuxal foliar fertilizer. Nitrogen rates were 0, 43 and 86 kg N/ha. Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replicates and 2 trees/plot. Results showed that nitrogen sources and rates were effective in increasing leaf nitrogen content and the highest values were obtained by the application of 86 kg N/ha using urea (100%) or a combination of urea and sheep manure. Application of Wuxal foliar fertilizer resulted in a significant increase of Zn and Fe leaf contents and total yield. Nitrogen source had significant effects on yield components and total yield. The highest values were obtained by a combination of urea and sheep manure or 100% urea, and the lowest values were recorded for 100% sheep manure. Nitrogen rate of 86 kg N/ha resulted in the highest yield components and total yield. It is recommended to fertilize sweet orange trees in the River Nile State with a combination of urea and sheep manure at the rate of 86 kg N/ha (12.4 kg SM/tree and 0.5 kg urea/tree) in addition to Wuxal foliar fertilizer

Effect of plant spacing on growth, yield and fruit quality of some introduced banana (Musa AAA) clones

    A field experiment was conducted at the Experimental Farm of the National Institute for the Promotion of Horticultural Exports, University of Gezira, Sudan, during 2009/10 and 2010/11. The objective of the study was to determine the effects of plant spacing on the vegetative growth, crop earliness, yield components, total yield and fruit quality of  five introduced banana clones under Gezira conditions, Sudan. Treatments consisted of three banana clones introduced from Austria, namely, Williams hybrid 172 (WH 172), Williams hybrid 1366 (WH 1366) and Grand Nain 1824 (GN 1824) and two clones introduced from South Africa, namely, Zelig and Bio. These five introduced clones were compared with the local clone Dwarf Cavendish (DC). Plant spacing was 2x2, 2x3 and 3x3 m. Treatments were arranged in a split plot design with three replicates. Plant spacing was assigned to the main plots and clones to the subplots. Results showed that vegetative growth parameters, yield and yield components were significantly affected by banana clones and plant spacing. Generally, the introduced banana clones had more vigorous vegetative growth than the local clone DC. The most vigorous vegetative growth was obtained by WH 172 followed by WH 1366 and GN 1824. Plant spacing of 2x3 m and 3x3 m resulted in significantly higher growth parameters values than 2x2 m. The earliest clone was GN 1824 and the latest were Bio and DC. Bio clone took the longest time from shooting to harvesting and both WH clones and Zelig  took the shortest. Plant spacing of 3x3 m resulted in significantly the shortest time from shooting to harvesting compared to the others. The highest yield and yield components were obtained by WH 172, WH 1366 and GN 1824 and the lowest were obtained by the local clone DC. Plant spacing of 3x3 m resulted in the highest yield components but the lowest total yield However, the close spacing of 2x2 m produced the lowest yield components but the highest total yield due to the large number of bunches per unit area. Total soluble solids were comparable in all clones, however, GN 1824 and WH 1366 had a better taste than the other clones. Plant spacing of 2x3 m and 3x3 m resulted in significantly higher TSS and taste values than 2x2 m. It is recommended to grow the banana introduced clones WH 172, WH 1366 and GN 1824 at a spacing of 2X3 m for the highest yield and best fruit quality.      أجريت التجارب بحقل بحوث المعهد القومي لتنمية الصادرات البستانية، جامعة الجزيرة، في الفترة من  2009 الي 2011. الهدف من الدراسة هو معرفة أثر مسافات الزراعة على النمو الخضري والتبكير ومكونات الإنتاج والإنتاجية ونوعية الثمار لخمسة أصناف من الموز مستجلبة من خارج السودان ، تحت ظروف الجزيرة بالسودان. اشتملت المعاملات على ثلاث سلالات من الموز مستوردة من النمسا وهي هجين الوليامز 172 (WH172) وهجين الوليامز 1366 (WH1366) وجراندنين 1824 (GN1824) وسلالتين استجلبتا من جنوب أفريقيا وهما زيلج وبايو. هذه السلالات الخمس المستجلبة من الخارج ثم تقويمها بالمقارنة مع السلالة المحلية الكافندش القزم (DC). مسافات الزراعة كانت 2 × 2م و 2 × 3م و 3×3م . نظمت المعاملات في تصميم القطع المنشقة بثلاث مكررات. اعتبرت مسافات الزراعة قطعاً رئيسية والسلالات قطعاً ثانوية. أظهرت النتائج أن تأثير السلالات ومسافات الزراعة كان معنوياً على النمو الخضري ومكونات الإنتاج والإنتاجية ونوعية الثمار. عموماً السلالات المستجلبة من الخارج أظهرت نمواً خضرياً أفضل من السلالة المحلية DC. أعطت السلالات WH172, و WH1366 وGN1824 نمواً خضرياً افضل من غيرها. مسافات الزراعة 2×3م و 3×3م أعطت نمواً خضرياً أفضل من 2×2م. أكثر السلالات تبكيراً هي  GN1824 وأكثرها تأخراً هي بايو وDC. استغرقت السلالة بايو زمناً أطول من الإزهار وحتى الحصاد أما السلالات WH172 وWH1366 وزيلج استغرقت وقتاً أقصر. مسافات الزراعة 3×3م نتج عنها زمناً أقصر من الإزهار وحتى الحصاد. السلالات WH172 وWH1366 وGN1824 أعطت أعلى إنتاجية بينما اعطت السلالة المحلية DC أقل إنتاجية. مسافات الزراعة 3×3م اعطت أعلى مكونات الإنتاج وأقل إنتاج كلي بينما أعطت مسافات الزراعة 2×2م أقل مكونات الإنتاج وأعلى إنتاج كلي نسبة للعدد الكبير من السبائط في وحدة المساحة. المواد الصلبة الذائبة الكلية كانت متقاربة في كل السلالات ولكن السلالات GN1824  و WH1366 أعطت  مذاقاً  أفضل من غيرها. مسافات الزراعة 2×3م و3×3م أعطت أعلى محتوى من المواد الصلبة الذائبة الكلية وافضل مذاق بالمقارنة مع  2x2 م. يوصى بزراعة  السلالات WH172  وWH1366 وGN1824 بمسافات  2×3م للحصول على أعلى انتاجية من الثمار ذات الجودة العالية

Current status of sweet orange (Citrus sinensis L.) orchards in the River Nile State, Sudan

ABSTRAC     Production of sweet oranges in the Sudan does not cover domestic needs and sweet oranges are currently imported from Egypt, Iran and South Africa to satisfy the increasing demand. Hence, there is a need to investigate factors involved in the decline of sweet orange trees in one of the most important States for orange production in the Sudan. This research aims to study and evaluate different agronomic practices contributing to the prevailing sweet orange performance in the River Nile State, Sudan. A questionnaire and interviews with 120 sweet orange growers from Ketiab, Zeidab and Gandato citrus projects indicated that 75.8% of the farmers have orchards less than 2.9 ha. Low yielding cultivars such as “Sinnari”, the local selection (Baladi), Hamlin and Nori 16 dominate in the areas, 96.7% of the trees were budded on sour orange rootstocks, 85.8% of the seedlings were budded in private nurseries using bud wood collected from non-certified mother trees from private orchards. All sweet oranges were grown with other fruit species in 100% of the orchards, 80.8% used flat surface irrigation. There is no fixed fertilizer program. The type and quantity of chemical and organic fertilizers varied with different growers. No foliar fertilizers were used and nutrient deficiencies of Zn, Fe and Mn were observed in most orchards. Extension services for citrus production are highly needed for improvement of yield and quality of sweet oranges in the River Nile Stat

Effects of nitrogen source and effective micro-organisms on vegetative growth of shrubs of selected grapefruit (Citrus paradisi Macf) cultivars

   Grapefruit (Citrus Paradisi Macf.) is one of the most important citrus fruits in the Sudan. It can be successfully grown throughout the country where there are suitable soils and sufficient water to sustain tree growth. The objectives of this study were to find out the effects of different nitrogen sources, effective microorganisms (EM) and their combinations on the vegetative growth of shrubs of selected grapefruit cultivars. A field experiment was carried out at Umbarona, Wad Medani, Gezira State, Sudan, latitude 14.38 N, longitude 33.48 E and altitude 409 masl, in June 2012. Treatments consisted of three grapefruit cultivars: Marsh Seedless, Red Blush and Shamber. Fertilizer treatments were urea (100%), chicken manure (100%), urea with chicken manure (50% each), urea with EM, chicken manure with EM, urea (50%)+ chicken manure (50%)+ EM and unfertilized control. All fertilizer treatments were applied at the rate of 43 kg N/ha. Treatments were arranged in a split- plot design with two replicates. Grapefruit cultivars were allotted to the main plots and fertilizer treatments to the sub-plots. Data were collected on plant height (cm), stem diameter (cm), number of new branches, length of new branches (cm) and diameter of new branches (cm). Results showed that Marsh Seedless cultivar had the most vigorous vegetative growth compared to the other two cultivars. The results showed that the combination of urea, chicken manure and EM significantly gave the highest vegetative growth values, followed by chicken manure with EM, urea with chicken manure, urea with EM, urea alone, chicken manure alone and the least values of growth parameters were recorded for the unfertilized control. It is recommended to grow Marsh Seedless grapefruit cultivar and fertilize it with a combination of urea, chicken manure and EM.         يعتبر القريب فروت من أهم ثمار الحمضيات في السودان ويمكن زراعته بنجاح في جميع أنحاء البلاد حيثما توفرت التربة المناسبة والمياه الكافية لنمو الأشجار. أجريت تجربة حقلية في ام بارونة، واد مدنى ولاية الجزيرة، السودان. تهدف هذه التجربة لمعرفة تأثير مصادر النتروجين المختلفة والكائنات الحية الدقيقة الفعالة ومزجها مع بعضها البعض على النمو الخضري لشجيرات أصناف منتخبة من القريب فروت. تضمنت المعاملات ثلاثة أصناف من القريب فروت وهي مارش  ورد بلش وشامبر وسبعة معاملات أسمدة وهي  اليوريا، وزرق الدواجن، يوريا مع زرق الدواجن، يوريا مع الكائنات الحية الدقيقة الفعالة، زرق الدواجن مع الكائنات الحية الدقيقة الفعالة، يوريا مع زرق الدواجن مع الكائنات الحية الدقيقة الفعالة والشاهد. تمت إضافة الأسمدة لكل المعاملات بمعدل 43 كجم نتروجين للهكتار. صممت التجارب بطريقة القطع المنشقة بحيث كانت أصناف القريب فروت هي القطع الرئيسة ومعاملات النتروجين هي القطع الثانوية. جمعت بيانات عن طول النبات (سم) وقطر الساق (سم) وعدد الأفرع الجديدة وطول الفرع (سم) وقطر الفرع (سم). أوضحت النتائج أن الصنف مارش أعطى أعلى نمو خضري مقارنة بالصنفين رد بلش وشامبر. الخليط بين سماد اليوريا وزرق الدواجن و الكائنات الحية الدقيقة الفعالة  أعطت أعلى معدل للنمو الخضري ويليه زرق الدواجن والكائنات الحية الدقيقة الفعالة ثم اليوريا والكائنات الحية الدقيقة الفعالة ثم اليوريا وزرق الدواجن ثم زرق الدواجن لوحده ثم اليوريا لوحده وأدنى معدلات  النمو كانت في الشاهد .  يوصى بزراعة الصنف قريب فروت مارش وتسميده بخليط من اليوريا وزرق الدواجن والكائنات الحية الدقيقة الفعالة

Effect of plant spacing and pruning on vegetative growth, yield and fruit quality of introduced mango cultivars

   Kitchener is the most extensively cultivated mango cultivar in the Sudan. However, this cultivar is not popular in export markets due to its high fiber content. Hence, internationally popular mango cultivars have been recently introduced to the Sudan from South Africa. They  include Tommy Atkins, Kent, Keitt, Haden and Sensation. An experiment was conducted in Kamleen nursery, Gezira State, Sudan, during June 2008 to May 2011, to investigate the effects of plant spacing and pruning on vegetative growth, yield and fruit quality of these introduced mango cultivars compared to the local cultivar, Abusamaka . The trees were planted at a spacing of 5x5m and 10x10 m and subjected to three types of pruning, namely, pruning to two branches, three branches, tip pruning and control. Treatments were arranged in a split-plot design with three replicates. Plant spacing was assigned to the main plots and pruning treatments to the sub-plots. Results showed that the wider spacing resulted in significantly larger canopy diameter and larger number of fruits per tree than the closer spacing in all cultivars and seasons. However, the closer spacing resulted in significantly larger number of fruits/ha and  higher total yield/ha than the wider spacing due to the larger number of trees/ha. Pruning of mango trees to three main branches resulted in significantly the highest yield components and total yield, followed by two branches, tipping and the lowest yield components were produced by the un-pruned control. The introduced mango cultivars had significantly more vigorous vegetative growth, earlier in flowering, higher yield components and total yield and better fruit quality than the local cultivar Abusamaka. It could be concluded that the introduced cultivars Tommy Atkins, Kent and Keitt are promising cultivars to be grown in the Sudan using the high density planting system and pruned annually for high production of good quality fruit.        يعتبر الصنف كتشنر أكثر أصناف المانجو انتشاراً في السودان ولكنه غير مرغوب في أسواق الصادر نسبة لاحتوائه على نسبة عالية من الألياف. لذلك فقد تم استجلاب بعض الأصناف المرغوبة عالمياً من جنوب أفريقيا ، وقد شملت هذه الأصناف تومي أتكنز ، كنت ، كييت ، هادن وسنسيشن. أجريت التجربة بمشتل الكاملين ، ولاية الجزيرة ، خلال الفترة من يونيو 2008 حتى مايو 2011م لمعرفة تأثير أبعاد الزراعة والتقليم على النمو الخضري ومكونات الانتاج والانتاجية  ونوعية الثمار لهده الأصناف المستوردة مقارنة بالصنف المحلى أبوسمكة. زرعت الأشجار على مسافات 5x5 م و10x 10 م وتم تقليمها بثلاثة طرق للتقليم على النحو التالي : تقليم على فرعين وتقليم على ثلاثة أفرع وتقليم القمم النامية للأفرع وغير مقلمة للمقارنة. استخدم تصميم القطع المنشقة بثلاث مكررات، حيث اسندت القطع الرئيسية لأبعاد الزراعة والقطع الفرعية لطرق التقليم. اظهرت النتائج أن مسافات الزراعة 10x10م اعطت معنوياً أفضل نمو خضري وأكبر عدد الثمار للشجرة الواحدة بالمقارنة مع 5x5م فى كل  المواسم. أبعاد الزراعة  5x5 م اعطت معنوياً أعلى عدد للثمار وأعلى انتاجية للهكتار نسبة للعدد الكبير من الاشجار فى الهكتار. تقليم أشجار المانجو لثلاثة أفرع أعطى معنوياً أعلى انتاج يليه التقليم لفرعين ثم تقليم القمة وأدنى انتاجية كانت فى الاشجار غير المقلمة. الأصناف المستوردة اعطت معنوياً أفضل نمو خضري وأعلى انتاجية وأفضل نوعية للثمار بالمقارنة مع الصنف المحلي أبوسمكة. خلصت الدراسة إلى أنّ الاصناف المستوردة تومي اتكنز وكنت وكيت هى أصناف واعدة يمكن زراعتها فى السودان بطريقة الزراعة المكثفة وتقليمها سنوياً للحصول على أعلى انتاج من الثمار عالية الجودة

Effects of Ethrel Application and Packaging on Mango Fruit Quality

    Experiments were conducted at the National Institute for the Promotion  of Horticultural Exports, University of Gezira, Wad  Medani, Sudan, during May 1997 and 1998 to investigate the effects of Ethrel and polyethylene packaging on mango fruit quality. Mango fruit quality, Mango fruits were  harvested at the mature-green stage and treated with Ethrel or  left as control. Fruits were packed in either intact or perforated polyetlhylene packages or left unpacked. The experiments were set up in a completely randomized design with three replications. Ethrel treatment accelerated  the rate of fruit ripening as shown by an increase in total soluble solids, yellowing and a decrease in fruit firmness and starch content Fruits packed in intact polyethylene packages resulted in the  lowest weight loss, followed by those packed in perforated films, whereas unpacked fruits showed the highest weight loss and lowest quality manifested in shriveling and deterioratio