Articles
Agronomic behavior and fruit quality attributes of three dried fig cultivars in super high density system
Article number
1310_33
Pages
217 – 222
Language
English
Abstract
Extremadura, located in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula, is the main production area of dried figs in Spain.
Fig trees have been cultivated in traditional non-intensive or low tree-density orchards (around 125 trees ha‑1) under rainfed conditions.
In the 21st century, the demand for dried figs has risen due to the fact that consumers are more aware of the link between diet and health.
Consequently, in order to supply this demand, new modern agricultural techniques are required.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the agronomic behavior and several quality characteristics of high super-intensive fig orchards (1,000 trees ha-1) whose figs were collected from meshes coupled in structures along rows of trees. Cuello Dama Blanco, Calabacita and Picholetera were the evaluated dried fig cultivars.
The following traits were measured in each cultivar: annual yield, total loss, marketable yield with moisture less than 26%, cumulative yield, trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA), yield efficiency and ripening period, as well as weight, quality class, total soluble solids (TSS) and firmness of fruit. Calabacita was the earliest maturing cultivar, mature in the first fortnight of August with values in the seventh year (2018) of 6.8 kg tree‑1 of marketable dried figs with moisture less than 26%, followed by Cuello Dama Blanco (2.1 kg tree‑1) and Picholetera (3.9 kg tree‑1). On the other hand, Calabacita obtained the biggest dried fig fruit with an average weight in the seventh year (2018) of 12.04 g.
In conclusion, Calabacita is an interesting cultivar for high density system in Spain with a high production and good fruit quality.
Additionally, this harvesting system with meshes could improve the sanitation and thus the hygienic quality of figs.
Fig trees have been cultivated in traditional non-intensive or low tree-density orchards (around 125 trees ha‑1) under rainfed conditions.
In the 21st century, the demand for dried figs has risen due to the fact that consumers are more aware of the link between diet and health.
Consequently, in order to supply this demand, new modern agricultural techniques are required.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the agronomic behavior and several quality characteristics of high super-intensive fig orchards (1,000 trees ha-1) whose figs were collected from meshes coupled in structures along rows of trees. Cuello Dama Blanco, Calabacita and Picholetera were the evaluated dried fig cultivars.
The following traits were measured in each cultivar: annual yield, total loss, marketable yield with moisture less than 26%, cumulative yield, trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA), yield efficiency and ripening period, as well as weight, quality class, total soluble solids (TSS) and firmness of fruit. Calabacita was the earliest maturing cultivar, mature in the first fortnight of August with values in the seventh year (2018) of 6.8 kg tree‑1 of marketable dried figs with moisture less than 26%, followed by Cuello Dama Blanco (2.1 kg tree‑1) and Picholetera (3.9 kg tree‑1). On the other hand, Calabacita obtained the biggest dried fig fruit with an average weight in the seventh year (2018) of 12.04 g.
In conclusion, Calabacita is an interesting cultivar for high density system in Spain with a high production and good fruit quality.
Additionally, this harvesting system with meshes could improve the sanitation and thus the hygienic quality of figs.
Publication
Authors
A.I. Galván, F. Pérez-Gragera, M.J. Serradilla, M.G. Córdoba, G. Domínguez, M. López-Corrales
Keywords
Ficus carica L., yield, intensive tree density, quality parameters, meshes
Groups involved
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