Effect of pollination intensity, frequency and pollen source on fig (Ficus carica L.) productivity and fruit quality

Yield and fruit quality in fig (Ficus carica L.) are highly dependent on cultural practices especially caprification (pollination). However, this technique remains not well controlled in Tunisia. This study was conducted during two successive years, 2009 and 2010, to investigate different pollination conditions, i.e. number of caprifigs and repetitions of caprification on fruiting of two cultivars Bouhouli (San Pedro type) and Zidi (Smyrna type). In addition, the efficiency of four pollen sources was evaluated to identify the most effective pollinator for female cultivar Zidi. The following parameters were recorded: fruit number per shoot, fruit set, productivity, fruit characteristics and vegetative growth.Results indicated that caprification realized at four times with an interval of 4 days between each time could be efficient to improve fruit set (74.1 and 70.8% for Bouhouli and Zidi, respectively) and fruit quality (112 g per fruit, 19.4°Brix for Bouhouli, and 102 g per fruit, 20.3°Brix for Zidi). Compared with others caprifigs, the pollen of caprifig Djebba 2 resulted in higher productivity (6 fruits/20 cm), fruit weight (75.6–83.8 g), a large flesh thickness (23–25.1 mm) and better taste of fruits (16°Brix and 0.18% titrable acidity). These results suggested that caprifig Djebba 2 should be selected as the adequate pollinator for the edible Zidi fig in north-west Tunisia.

► Caprification at four times was effective for improving productivity and quality of fig fruits.
► The increase of pollination frequency had significant effect on measured parameters.
► The use of the caprifig Djebba 2 could be very interesting for the caprification of cultivar Zidi.