E3 Journal of Agricultural Research and Development
E3 Journal of Agricultural Research and Development Vol. 3 (2) pp. 022-025, April 2013; © E3 Journals; ISSN 2276-9897
Plant natural resources and fruit characteristics of fig (Ficus carica L.) change from coastal to continental areas of Tunisia
Mehdi Trad 1 * , Badii Gaaliche 1 , Catherine M.G.C.Renard 1 , Messaoud Mars 11 U.R. Agrobiodiversity, High Agronomic Institute of Chott-Mariem, University of Sousse, 4042 Sousse, Tunisia
2 INRA, Université d’Avignon et des pays du Vaucluse, UMR408 SQPOV, F-84000 Avignon, France.
*Corresponding Author E-mail: mh.trad@yahoo.com
Accepted 24 February 2013
Abstract
The fig (Ficus carica L.) is widely distributed and represents a natural wealth and diversity in all Tunisia. Investigations in the field showed that ‘smyrna’ type, bearing one generation of figs, were predominant in the coast while ‘san pedro’ type, bearing two generations of fruits, is more encountered in the continent. A large array of caprifig trees were counted in coastal ‘Bekalta’, while caprifigs are rare in ‘Djebba’ and are mostly found in wild form. Biodiversity of fig species was corroborated by analysis of the fruit. A wide range of size, shape (round, oblate and oblong) and colour (yellow green, purple green and purple black) was observed in the two areas. Fruits originated from continental zone were larger (59 mm) and heavier (82 g), while fruits from coastal zone were sweetener (18.4%) and tasteful. Comparison of cultivar ‘Zidi’ growing in the two contrasting areas revealed a gain of precocity in fruit ripeness in the coast. However, ‘Zidi’ figs picked from continental ‘Djebba’ were larger, heavier and sweetener than those picked from ‘Bekalta’. Crossing the coastal semi-arid climate to the continental sub-humid, fig natural resources, growth tendency and development of the tree and characteristics of the fruit are not the same.
Keywords: Ficus carica, ‘smyrna’, environment, agro-ecosystem, fruit quality, biodiversity.
[Download Article - PDF]
