Abstract
Wild Himalayan figs (Ficus palmata Forsk.), native to East Asia and the Himalayan region, are closely related to the well-known cultivated fig (Ficus carica L.), which is grown mainly in the Mediterranean region. The Pakistani state of Azad Jammu and Kashmir has a rich variety of figs. However, no comprehensive study has been carried out to utilise the diversity of these wild figs for possible use in sustainable fruit production. Therefore, the present study was designed to assess the variability of 35 wild fig accessions using quantitative and qualitative traits. Descriptive statistics were used to measure quantitative characteristics, while the coefficient of variance (CV %) was analysed using SAS® version 9.1. A principal component analysis (PCA) and multivariate analysis were performed using R Studio (v1.1.4). Pearson correlation coefficients between characteristics were obtained using SPSS software. The studied accessions showed high variability and the coefficient of variation (CV) ranged from 4.46–14.81%. Days to maturity varied from 71 to 86, leaf area from 38.55 to 90.06 cm2. The fruit length, fruit diameter and fruit weight ranged from 11.25 to 29.85 mm, 11.85 to 27.49 mm and 2.65 to 9.66 g, respectively. The photosynthetic activity and total chlorophyll content also varied from 7.94 to 10.22 μmol CO2 m−2s−1 and 37.11 to 46.48 μgml−1. In most of the fig accessions studied, apical dominance was found to be ‘absent’ while fruit shape was observed to be ‘globular’. A strong correlation was observed between all the studied characteristics. In the PCA analysis, all 35 fig accessions were distributed in four quadrants and showed a great diversity. This could be a valuable gene pool for future breeding studies and provide improved quality varieties. Wild Himalayan figs from the wild are well adapted to local pedoclimatic conditions and, combined with easy propagation and production can contribute to the local economy and have a significant impact on the socio-economic and ecological balance. The results of this study show high variability in some of the studied traits of 35 accessions from different parts of Northeast Pakistan, indicating their good potential for further enhancement and utilisation in sustainable agricultural production.
Highlights
Figs are one of the oldest domesticated fruits of the Mediterranean region [1] and are native to western Asia and eastern parts of the Mediterranean countries [2]
Average values obtained from 35 wild fig accessions regarding phenotypic measurements linked to characteristics used.characteristics
The results showed a wide range of morphological variability in leaf and fruit traits. Several traits such as leaf width (14.81%), petiole length (14.77%), photosynthetic activity (14.02%), total chlorophyll content (13.43%) showed highest coefficient of variation (CV) while lowest CV was recorded for fruit firmness (4.46%)
Summary
Figs are one of the oldest domesticated fruits of the Mediterranean region [1] and are native to western Asia and eastern parts of the Mediterranean countries [2] There are three types of figs, depending on how they are grown, e.g., the Common type, the Smyrna type and the San Pedro type. The Common type produces parthenocarpic fruit without pollination for either the breba (first) or the main crop. The Smyrna type, on the other hand, requires caprifig for pollination, while the San Pedro type produces the first fruit without pollination while the second fruit requires caprifig for pollination [7]. Fig types have generally adapted to different soils and climatic conditions and are widely grown in many regions of the world
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