ABSTRACT
Fruit flies, Bactrocera spp., are among the most destructive fruit/vegetable- eating agricultural pests in the world, particularly in African countries such as Sudan. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of trap color, cultural and sanitation measures on density of the peach fruit fly Bactrocera zonata (Saunders) (Diptera: Tephritidae). Several field surveys were conducted in the Gezira State, Sudan during the 2016/2017 growing season. Three locations were selected in the study area and three sites were selected at each location. An orchard was randomly selected at each site and five directions at each orchard were determined. Methyl eugenol trap was used to estimate the effect of trap color, cultural and sanitation measures on the population density of the fruit flies. Data were subjected to descriptive analysis and analysis of variance. The results obtained showed that during the flowering period of mango, peach fruit fly was highly attracted to other colors rather than the yellow color, whereas, during fruiting the insect was highly attracted to the yellow color compared to the other colors. The density of the insects was significantly lower in the well managed orchards (8.7 insects per trap per week) compared to the poor managed orchards (36.9 insects per trap per week). Accordingly, the trap color, composition of the horticultural crop, proper cultural practices and good sanitation measures are factors need to be addressed when considering peach fruit fly control.

ABSTRACT
support for environmental maintenance and physical health can be done when environmental awareness arises and maintaining it so as not to damage the environment requires religious support, especially from the main source of the teachings of the Quran. by finding a number of verses of the Quran that support environmental preservation so that religious adherents are increasingly convinced to carry out the missions of teachings for the good and survival of human life through a heuristic study of the Quran and theoretical support found in the Quran related to Go Green (5 verses), Islamic Ecology (4 verses), Commemorating Islamic Holidays (10 verses), Preventing Drugs and AIDS (15 verses).

ABSTRACT
The aim of this work is to study the development of a response surface methodology for the optimization of hesperidin extraction from orangette composition. The optimization of extraction parameters such as concentration, pH, temperature and extraction time were performed by the centered composite design (CCD) method. The analysis of variance showed a good fit of the model and the performance of the RSM method to improve hesperidin extraction, due to the fact that R2=0.927, R2Adjusted=0.825, R2Pred=0.602 and P<0.05. The optimal conditions determined for the extraction of hesperidin by the response surface methodology were 130 mg/ml for the solvent concentration, pH (12.67), temperature (62°C) and extraction time 3.45h for the extraction time with a theoretical yield is 67.44%. These results showed that the developed model is satisfactory and relevant for hesperidin extraction.

ABSTRACT
Introduction: The degradation of soil fertility in West Bengal has become a pressing issue on both an ecological and agricultural level due to years of intensive agricultural practices, the use of unbalanced fertilizers, nutrient depletion (mining), decreasing organic matter content (soil organic carbon), salinity encroachment in coastal areas, arsenic contamination, and widespread erosion of riverine terrain. The decline in organic matter in agricultural soils in the state is one of the most significant drivers of reduced fertility in West Bengal. Objectives: The aims of study are to assess the impact of soil fertility degradation upon agricultural productivity and sustainability and suggest appropriate soil management and conservation measures. Research Methodology: The methodology for this study is qualitative and quantitative, using a combination of descriptive analysis with comparative and interpretive assessments. The methodology enables an assessment of soil fertility over time spatially without having to conduct new field experiments on soil fertility. Result and Discussion: Impacts of Diminishing Soil Fertility on Agricultural Products and Productivity, Soil Management and Conservation Strategies, Limitations of the Study have been discussed. Conclusion: Soil fertility degradation in the Cooch Behar District has in fact become an obstacle to the sustainability of agricultural production.

ABSTRACT
Eggplant, Solanum melongena L., is one of the major vegetable crops in the Sudan. Eggplant is infested by some species of insect pests. However, the cotton jassid (Jacobiasca lybica) is the major one. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of botanical oils, castor bean seed oil, cotton seed oil and sunflower seed oil on population of the cotton jassid on eggplant, cultivar Wizzo. Two field experiments were executed during season 2015/16 at two sites, the experimental farm in the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Gezira and Elalafoon at the eastern Bank of the Blue Nile, in Khartoum state. The experiments in both sites were arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. The botanical seed oils at a concentration of 5% were applied at 7 days interval with four sprays. Post-treatment observations on number of jassid were taken after 2 days from the application. The results indicated that all oil treatments were apparently effective against the cotton Jassid compared to the untreated control. The study found that the cotton seed oil was more effective in reducing the number of Jassid on eggplant ( 64 insects/100 leaves) followed by sunflower seed oil (132 insects/100 leaves), castor bean seed oil (140 insects/100 leaves) and the untreated control (312 insects/ 100 leaves) at Wad Medani site while, at Khartoum Site the cotton seed oil recorded high reduction of jassid population (92 insects/100 leaves) followed by castor bean seed oil (140 insects/100 leaves), sunflower oil (208 insects/100 leaves) and the untreated control (608 insects/ 100 leaves). This study recommended that, cotton seed oil can be used to reduce the number of cottons jassid on the eggplant crop.

ABSTRACT
Tomato production is an important source of income and food for many households in Beledweyne District, Hiran Region, Somalia. However, postharvest losses remain a major challenge, particularly during transportation from production areas to the main markets, so this study examined the impact of road condition on postharvest losses in tomato production in Beledweyne District, Hiiraan Region, Somalia. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design with a quantitative approach was used. Data were collected from 92 tomato farmers who supply tomatoes to the main market in Beledweyne District. The sample size was determined by using Slovin’s formula with a 5% margin of error. Primary data was used through A structured questionnaire was used to collect data at the local main market in Beledweyne, where farmers bring their products. Using descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, and figures, with Stata version 17. The findings indicate that postharvest tomato losses in the study area are a considerable majority of farmers reported losses ranging between 21% and 30%, and also a significant proportion experienced losses exceeding 30% of total production. The results indicated that poor road conditions are the main cause of these losses. The farmers indicate that rough and unpaved roads, long transportation distances, and frequent delays and also long travel times all negatively affect tomato quality, resulting in physical damage such as bruising, cracking, rotting, and softening. In addition to that, the study results show that postharvest losses have a serious negative impact on farmers' income, reducing profitability. All respondents agreed that also improving road condition would significantly reduce postharvest losses.

ABSTRACT
Ambarella (Spondias dulcis) is a tropical plant with excellent phytochemicals properties and has long been used in many traditional medical practices. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different heat preservation methods; pasteurization (85ºC in 30 seconds), water bath canning (100ºC in 10 minutes) and jar processing (121ºC in 1 minute), on the antioxidant activity of Ambarella (Spondias dulcis) fruit juice. The Total Phenolic Content (TPC) of Ambarella juice was determined using Folin-Ciocalteu’s assay, while DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazy) was used to analyze the free radical scavenging activity. The reducing power of Ambarella juice was assessed using Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP). The result of Folin-Ciocalteu’s assay showed that the highest TPC value was detected in the raw juice (5.3002 ± 0.114 mg GAE/g) while the lowest was in the water bath juice (3.6137 ± 0.174 mg GAE/g). The result of free radical scavenging activity of the juice samples found that pasteurized juice exhibited the highest percentage of scavenging activity (55.81 ± 0.55%), while retorted juice was the lowest (33.44 ± 0.61%). The highest reducing power was obtained in the raw juice (98.30 ± 0.85%), while water bath juice recorded the lowest percentage of reducing power (65.66 ± 0.68%) out of all juice samples tested. The correlation between the total phenolic contents and antioxidant activities was determined as a positive, linear correlation with DPPH (r = 0.407) and FRAP (r 0.963). Similarly, a positive correlation was also observed between both of the DPPH and FRAP antioxidant assays (r = 0.625). The pasteurization method was determined as the best heat preservation method compared to water bath canning and jar processing, since it exhibited comparatively high TPC value and higher antioxidant activity percentage.