干旱区生态环境知识资源中心

Fig tree (Ficus carica L.) is one of the well adapted species to arid and semi-arid conditions. Its cultivation in Tunisia is traditional and local cultivars are numerous. The cultivar Zidi (Smyrna type) with absolute need of caprification is well spread in the country for its high commercial value and gustatory good quality which is appreciated by the consumer. This study was focused on the pomological and biochemical characterization of fig cv Zidi in various agro-ecological zones of Tunisia (south-east, center-east, north-east and north-west). Results showed significant differences for the studied parameters (fruit size, fruit shape, flesh thickness, ostiole width, total soluble solids) in different cultivation areas. The big size (96.4 g) and large flesh thickness (22.5 mm) of fruits were obtained in north-west (Djebba region); whereas the best taste of fruit was noticed in north-east (Mhamdia region) with a high sugar rate of 19 degrees Brix and an average acidity of 0.18%. These differences reflect large agro-ecological adaptation in cv. Zidi that may be due to intra-varietal genetic variations which necessitate molecular studies in future.