Document Type : Full Paper
Authors
1
Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Isfahan, Iran
2
Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran.
3
Fig Research Station, Fars Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Training Center, AREEO, Estahban, Iran
Abstract
Since the investigation of genotypes and cultivars is the first step in breeding projects, this study was conducted to evaluate 41 morphological characteristics and 7qualitative characteristics of caprifig (Sibi, Khakestooni, Atashi, Pouzdonbali, Daneh-Sefid, and Koohi) cultivars, based on a completely randomized block design with 3replications. The results showed that tree growth habit was semi-erect (Khakestooni, Atashi, Pouzdonbali, Daneh-Sefid, and Koohi) and spread (Sibi). Cultivars formed three groups based on the dominant type of leaves, that included single (without lobes) (Khakestooni), three-lobed (Pouzdonbali, Daneh-Sefid, and Koohi) and five-lobed (Atashi and Sibi). The fruit shape was predominantly pyriform, which was observed in Atashi, Daneh-Sefid and Koohi cultivars. The maximum fruit length and width was in Atashi cultivar (21.33 mm and 22.33 mm, respectively). The fruit neck length was long in Atashi cultivar and the fruit weight was the highest in Sibi cultivar. The Fruit skin ground colour showed strong diversity, including green-yellow in Sibi, Daneh-Sefid and Pozdenbali cultivars, purple in Koohi and Atashi cultivars, and violet in Khakestooni cultivar. The fruit number per branch was low in all cultivars except Koohi. The number of pollen inside the fruit was highly variable, including low in Atashi and Sibi cultivars, moderate in Khakestooni and Daneh-Sefid, and high in Pouzdonbali and Koohi cultivars. There was the highest number of male and female Blastophaga wasp in Khakestooni cultivar. Our study demonstrated great morphological variability among the caprifig cultivars, which makes them valuable genetic resources to incorporate into breeding programs in addition to their use for caprification.
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