Effect of pollen source on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of dried figs (Ficus carica L.) cvs ‘Payves’ and ‘Sabz’ in Kazerun – Iran

In dried fig production, caprification (pollination) is very important to obtain economical yield. The selection of pollen source with good quality and quantity of pollen is an essential practice in fig orchards. This study was conducted in Kazerun region, Iran, to investigate the effect of pollen source on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of dried figs (Ficus carica L.) cvs ‘Payves’ and ‘Sabz’. The efficiency of three pollen sources was evaluated to identify the most effective pollinizer for female cultivars ‘Payves’ and ‘Sabz’ (Smyrna type). Results indicated that fruit length, skin color, total soluble solids, total phenolics, total flavonoid and total anthocyanins were affected significantly by the pollen sources; while pollen source had no significant effect on fruit diameter, fruit weight, ostiol width, time of fruit ripening and antioxidant capacity. In addition, the phenolic compounds including catechin, total catechin, quercetin-3-glucoside, total quercetin and chlorogenic acid were influenced by the pollen sources. According to the findings here, ‘Avgeizi’ caprifig had the best results on fruit physical characteristics especially fruit length. However, ‘Kouhi’ caprifig showed the highest biochemical values including total phenolics, total flavonoids, antioxidant capacity and total soluble solids on female cultivars ‘Payves’ and ‘Sabz’ in Kazerun region.

► Pollen source has significant effect on physicochemical properties of fig fruits. ► Phenolic compounds were influenced by the pollen sources. ► ‘Avgeizi’ caprifig causes the physical characteristics of fig fruits be enhanced. ► ‘Kouhi’ caprifig causes the biochemical characteristics of fig fruits be improved.