FIG

FIG

 KINGDOM:                                   PLANTAE
 PHYLUM :                                    ANGIOSPERMAE
 ORDER:                                        ROSALES
 FAMILY :                                      MORACEAE 
 TRIBE :                                         FICEACE
 GENUS :                                       FICUS
 SPECIES :                                     FICUS CARICA L.


ORIGION AND DISTRIBUTION
 The fig is believed to be indigenous to Western Asia and to have been distributed by man Throughout the Mediterranean area.

 It has been cultivated for thousands of years, remnants of figs having been found in excavations of Neolithic sites traced to at least 5,000 B.C.

 Figs are a beloved, popular fruit in India. They grow well in several states including Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. Though there are approximately 800 varieties of figs in the world, the poona is the most popular cultivar in India.

PLANT DISCRIPTION

 Ficus carica is a gynodioecious , deciduous tree or large shrub, growing to a height of 10–30 ft.
 Smooth white bark and fragrant broad, rough leaves.
 The complex inflorescence consists of a hollow fleshy structure called the syconium, which is lined with numerous unisexual flowers.
 The small orifice (ostiole) visible on the middle of the fruit is a narrow passage, which allows the specialized fig wasp (Blastophaga psenes) to enter the fruit and pollinate the flower, where after the fruit grows seeds.
 Climacteric fruit
 False fruit or multiple fruit

CLIMATE
 Fig being a deciduous and sub tropical tree, prefers areas having arid or semiarid environment, high summer temperature, plenty of sunshine and moderate water.

 Although the plants can survive temperature as high 450C, the fruit quality deteriorates
beyond 390C. Though the mature tree can withstand low temperature up to 40C, it makes
good growth when the temperature is above 15 - 210C.

The size, shape, colour of the skin and pulp quality are markedly affected by climate. But
quality figs are produced in the region with dry climate especially at the time of fruit
development and maturity.

 High humidity coupled with low temperature usually results in fruit splitting and low fruit
quality.


SOIL
 The fig can be grown on a wide range of soils; light sand, rich loam, heavy clay or limestone, providing there is sufficient depth and food drainage.
 Sandy soil that is medium-dry and contains a good deal of lime is preferred when the crop is intended for drying.
 Highly acid soils are unsuitable.
 The pH should be between 6.0 and 6.5.

PROPAGATION
 Rooting of hard wood cuttings is the common method of propagation in fig. Rooting was the best in cuttings from 3 year old wood with 30 - 40 cm length and 1.5 cm dia.
 Cuttings from the base of the shoot and lower part of crown have to be used as they root better.
 Cuttings are raised in nursery beds and are set out in the field after 12 or 15 months.
 Cuttings are taken during January – February.
 Fig can also be propagated by air layering, shield or patch budding and side grafting.


PLANTING
 Fig is planted in square system of planting at a spacing of 5 x 5 m accommodating about 160 plants per acre.
 Pits of 0.6 cu.m are dug for planting the cuttings.
 Planting time is JAN-FEB. or AUG-SEP.


SEASON OF FRUITING
 Fig trees usually bear 2 crops a year, the early season fruits being inferior and frequently too acid, and only those of the second, or main, crop of actual value.
 Some fruits are borne throughout the year but there are 2 principal crops, one in May and June and the other in December and January.

MANURES AND FERTILIZERS
 The year wise requirement of various manures and fertilizers for fig is given in following Table.

Recommended fertilizer dosage (kg/tree/year) for Fig.

Year                FYM                          NITROGEN           PHOSPHOROUS              POTASSIUM

1                      25                                 0.060                        0.040                                     0.040
2                      25                                 0.120                        0.080                                     0.080
3                      25                                 0.180                        0.120                                     0.120
4                      30                                 0.240                        0.160                                     0.160

5th year           35                                 0.300                        0.200                                     0.200
onwards



IRRIGATION
 Fig can sustain heat and drought. However, for commercial production timely irrigation is necessary.
 Flood irrigation at an interval of 10-12 days during summer is ideal.
 If drip irrigation is adopted 15-20 litres of water/day/plant needs to be provided.
 Frequent irrigation leading to excess soil moisture will cause splitting of fruits.
 It should be borne in mind that during fruit ripening, the plants should not be given
any irrigation because it will result in insipid fruits viz., fruits with bland taste.

TRIANING AND PRUNING
 To keep the trees more productive and to facilitate inter cultivation operations, the fig trees are trained to a desired height and shape.
 The fig tree bears two crops in a year, the first crop on the wood of previous season and the second crop on new wood of current season. Pruning is necessary to induce growth of flower bearing wood.
 The time and amount of pruning are adjusted according to the growth habit and bearing capacity of the tree.
 Fig trees are trained initially to a single stem and allowed to grow to a height of about 1m and then it is topped. Light pruning is practiced in Poona Fig after the monsoon is over i.e. in October.

INSECT-PEST OF FIG

• Dried fruit beetle
•  Fig Fruit Fly
• Fig wax scale 
•  Fig leaf beetle

DISEASES

•  Anthracnose
• Fig rust
• Fig mosaic

HARVESTING

 Though fig starts bearing fruits from the second year, commercial harvesting

is done from the third year. The yield increases with increase in canopy size of

the tree and stabilizes during eighth year.

 The economic life of the plant is about 35 years. The harvesting season

starts in February - March and is over by May - June.

 The fruits are harvested in 2-3 day intervals manually. The fruits should be

picked when they are soft and wilt at the neck. If the fruits are picked before

proper maturity, milky latex exudes.

YIELD

Almost 180-350 fruits/tree/ year. OR

The age wise yield of fig (fruits in kg/per tree) is given in the following

Table

Age wise yield of Fig (kg/tree)

 

Age of the plant (years)                                   Yield/tree (kg)

3                                                                            3

4                                                                           6

5                                                                           9

6                                                                          12

7                                                                          15

8th onwards                                                       18