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Dried fig industry is the most affected from MeBr ban due to prevalence of storage pests namely fig moth, Ephestia cautella Walk. Magnesium phosphide was tested for exposure times of 5 and 7 days at 1.0 and 2.0 g t-1 phosphine (PH3) of dried fig under tarpaulin to control two major pests of dried figs, fig moth (Ephestia cautella Walk.) and fig mite (Carpoglyphus lactis L.). The experiment was performed to test the efficiency of phosphine treatment during a cooler period. The control fruits were fumigated with MeBr at 60 g m-3 level for 24 h. The results proved that the tested concentrations and exposure periods to PH3 provided 100% mortality of the test species. After exposure to PH3 or MeBr, fruit quality was preserved under ambient storage conditions for three months. A minimum of 5 days exposure after PH3 applied as 1-2 g per ton of dried fig is required during cooler period. © 2020 International Society for Horticultural Science. All rights reserved., TTGV-P2/30m World Bank Group, WBG, The experiment is a part of the multi-year project “Project to Phase-out Methyl Bromide in the Dried Fig Sector in Turkey (TTGV-P2/30m)” funded by the World Bank through the

A four year experiment is being carried out, at Ege University Department of Horticulture, in which three different pre-crops are tested under an organic management system as compared to fallow. The aim of the experiment is to identify the most suitable rotation program for organic vegetable production in Turkey. Vicia sativa (common vetch), Brassica oleracea var. italica (broccoli), Vicia faba ‘Sevilla’ (faba bean) and fallow are tested as preceding (winter) crops. During the experiment carried out between 2007 and 2009, the main crops were tomato (2007), zucchini (2008) and pepper (2009). Broccoli represented the farmers’ choice as a winter vegetable. Vetch (incorporated) and faba bean (partially harvested and incorporated) were selected as legumes well adapted to the regional conditions. Soil fertility was maintained by incorporation of the crop residues at the end of both cycles and addition of organic-certified commercial compost (Bioaktif) and compost tea during the main cycle. All the management, including disease and pest management, was carried out according to the organic regulations valid in Turkey and the EU. During the production seasons, all variable costs and revenue, during both the pre-crop and main crop cycles, were recorded and gross margin calculated for each treatment. Economic analysis showed that broccoli as a pre-crop required the highest variable costs followed by faba bean, vetch and fallow, in all three years. Total revenue was the highest in plots where broccoli was the pre-crop. It is followed by faba bean plots mostly because higher yields were obtained in main crop plots following faba bean. The least profitable was fallow – main crop rotation. Broccoli plants also have some extra benefits like adding a high amount of biomass to soil and suppressing weed growth due to shading and allelopathic effects.

Organic farming systems rely on soil fertility management to enhance the soil chemical properties for the optimization of crop production. Soil fertility-building crops have been reported as a way to reduce inputs, improve soil fertility and subsequent crop production and quality. The present study was conducted in southern Italy and consists in evaluating the effects of pre-crops (faba bean, vetch and broccoli) in comparison to a fallow test and of two different fertilization strategies (commercial organic fertilizer and compost tea) on the main soil chemical properties and on the subsequent crop (tomato and lettuce) in two consecutive years. A split-plot design was used with four replicates and two factors having the pre-crop as the main factor and fertilizers as sub-factor. Fallow plots accumulated up to 55-26 kg/ha of nitrogen, broccoli up to 24-26 kg/ha, faba bean up to 65-75 kg/ha and vetch up to 190-215 kg/ha, respectively, in two years. Results showed that vetch was able to satisfy the N requirement of the main crop without any fertilizer application. The main soil chemical parameters were improved over two years experiment. The trend was consistent; all studied parameters displayed a significant increase in all treatments, while no significant differences were obtained between treatments. In the first year, the effect of different pre-crops and fertilizers on tomato yield and quality parameters was insignificant. While the results obtained in the second year showed that pre-crops and fertilizers had significant effects on lettuce yield and quality. Yield of lettuce obtained after pre-crops was higher compared to fallow treatment: vetch (27%), broccoli (23%) and faba bean (18%). Different nitrate contents compared to fallow (80% lower) and the ascorbic acid contents (16% higher) were obtained after broccoli treatments. On the other hand, there was no significant effect of fertilizers used in this experiment on lettuce production. These suggest that the pre-crops, especially vetch, can improve main crop yields; while compost improves the quality parameters.

Turkey has a significant share in the world dried fig (Ficus carica 'Sarilop') trade. Dried fig is generally exported as semi-processed intermediate goods. During the last years, there are attempts to develop new processed products from fig paste. The research was carried out in 2006-2007 to determine the quality changes that limit market life of sun-dried fig fruits destined for direct consumption and sweets prepared from fig paste. Dried fig fruit (manipulated as Lerida type) and two products processed from fig (fig delight with walnut and sesame coated paste) were stored under cold (3±0.5°C, 55-65% relative humidity) and ambient storage conditions for 12 months. Samples were taken monthly to monitor quality changes and microbial load. Under ambient storage conditions, quality losses started in dried fig and fig delight after 7 months and in sesame coated paste after 8 months of storage due to increased temperatures and lower relative humidity in the spring. Cold storage conditions extended storage ability and no significant changes were observed for a 12 month period.

Commercial fig drying is an important economic activity in the western part of Turkey, the Aegean region, and 90% of the produce is destined for export market. Most of the produce is exported until Christmas. Ready-to-eat rehydrated rigs are gaining importance as an alternative product and as a tool to add value to fruits with lower moisture content. The research work was carried out on 2000-2002 season fruits with the aim of optimizing pre-treatments for re-hydration of dried fig fruits. These pre-treatments comprised of variables as the duration, composition and temperature of the dipping solution, water vapor treatment and a mixed application of water vapour + hot water dipping. The fruit moisture content and water activity levels were determined for each variable. High moisture fig fruits were packed in gas-tight packages and quality changes were monitored during storage. The addition of potassium sorbate was tested to control microbial growth. The fruit moisture content distribution was more homogeneous in dipped fruits than vapour treated ones even if problems existed as the leaching of the soluble solids and the sticky nature of the final product. Among the tested variables, dipping in hot water at 90 degrees C 10 min. or water vapour treatment at 100 degrees C for 30 min. are recommended.

Turkey is the leading country in the world fig production and trade. Due to its economic importance, many studies have been undertaken on fig at various institutes. The paper aims to summarize some of the significant results obtained lately and to highlight some of the current research topics. Taking into consideration the vast wild fig population in Turkey, selection studies were carried out in various parts of the country to identify promising types for the fresh market. In western Turkey, Sarilop (=Calimyrna) the standard variety for commercial drying is vegetatively propagated for thousands of years. An investigation of this population has revealed high performing clones and thus further studies were designed to examine yield and quality components of the selected clones.