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At the banana-ripening centre – Science and Society – Citrus Tristeza in Brazil

2006; EDP Sciences; Volume: 61; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1051/fruits/200661400

1625-967X

Jacky Ganry,

Banana Cultivation and Research

At the banana-ripening centreUnder the feather of A. Tsalpatouros are two articles on "Banana at the banana-ripening centre", one devoted to "the role of heat 1 ", the other to "the role of cold 2 ".They are following upon two articles relating the first to "the role of temperature" and the second to "the role of water".Still up-to-date observations are present, that have been some little forgotten or that one sometimes seems to rediscover.Vis-à-vis with the "very great disparity of qualities and states" of the batches which arrive in the ripening room, "it is unlikely referring only one system of representation able to cover all the modes so heterogeneous they are and thus apply a standard ripening model".And, a little further, one can read, the "conclusion that any disturbance brought to the former life of the fruit necessarily appears on its respiration ... and therefore on its final quality.It thus appears that by examining the phenomenon of the respiration of our bananas, we attend in short cut all the events of the life of these fruits".The link was thus already well established between the physiology of the fruit before harvest and its post-harvest behaviour. Science and SocietyAnother up-to-date and relevant remark is done on the scientific and technical value of research results and their appropriation by the end-users."Indeed, various problems arise which are hard to solve, not only from a scientific and technical view, but especially at level of their economic transposition in nearby reality too.It is the reason why we propose to tackle the realization of our goal through a progressive adaptation of rational methods to the already or almost existing resources.We will pass then imperceptibly to more sophisticated methods with more costly applications although justified by higher returns when compared to others".Who is the banana-ripener who would not curse us if we tell him ex cathedra that, in the interest of the improvement of his industry, it would be necessary that it demolished the majority of his rooms to replace them by new ones?In addition, who is that, especially among humblest, to which this first exposed forerunner is addressed more particularly, which would not fade in front of the advertisement of a capital expenditure, which can be synonymous for him with "brutal" or even "fatal bleeding".Which beautiful lesson on the relations between Science and Society! Citrus Tristeza in BrazilIn Fruits' issue of August-September 1956, one will also note an article on the Citrus Tristeza (Quick decline) written after an information visit in Brazil to the Biological Institute of Sao Paulo (Pr.Bitancourt, Mr. Silberschmidt, Miss Rossetti) and to the Agronomic Institute of Campinas (Pr.Santos Costa and Pr.Sylvio Moreira).At that time, "the Mediterranean basin remains one of the few citrus areas of the world non effected by this plague" when in South Africa, 12 million trees perished in 10 years.In California 40 to 60% of the plantations were affected, Quick decline annually doubling its devastations from 1939 to 1950.In Brazil finally, 80% of the plantations had to be renewed between 1939 and 1946.It is a catastrophe whose trade was not raised yet since Brazilian orange exports which had risen in 1939 to 5 600 000 boxes fell to an average of 1 500 000 boxes since 1942".