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Performance evaluation of seventeen common fig (Ficus carica L.) cultivars introduced to a tropical climate

Authors :
M. Moniruzzaman
Jameel M. Al-Khayri
A. K. M. Aminul Islam
Zahira Yaakob
Nurina Anuar
Source :
Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology. 61:795-806
Publication Year :
2020
Publisher :
Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2020.

Abstract

Common fig (Ficus carica L.), an economically-important fruit species widely cultivated in the Mediterranean Basin, is gaining increasing interest in the tropical and subtropical regions. A vast genetic diversity of common fig is available; however, systematic studies of cultivar performance in a particular new environment are scarce. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of 17 common fig cultivars grown under the Malaysian tropical climate. Evaluation was based on 15 parameters relevant to fruit yield, fruit quality and pest susceptibility. The results showed variable performance among the cultivars tested; 10 cultivars performed well for orchard establishment. Cultivar ‘A134’ produced the highest fruit yield per plant (3410 g) compared to the average yield of the cultivars studied (2500 g). Cultivars ‘Fen Chan Huang’ and ‘Wuhan’ produced the highest number of fruits per plant, 119 and 82 fruits, respectively. Mealybug infestation and ostiole-end splitting are major limitations to fig cultivation in Malaysia. Cultivar ‘Longue d’Aout’ was the most susceptible to mealybug infestation; whereas cultivar ‘B110’ was the most resistant. Above 60% of the fruits of cvs. ‘Brunswick’ and ‘Qing Pi’ had split ostiole; however, this was less than 20% in cvs. ‘Longue d’Aout’ and ‘Alma’. This study facilitates successful farming of figs in Malaysia and provides insights for future development programs.

Details

ISSN :
22113460 and 22113452
Volume :
61
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology
Accession number :
edsair.doi...........b73e4330bf3de1a7a23f4d1a8744e407
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13580-020-00259-1