Propagation of five fig (Ficus carica L.) varieties under field conditions

This research aimed at studying propagation of five rig (Ficus carica L.) varieties namely "Kadota", "Ghouddane", "Ournaksi", "Chaari" and "Ounaq El Hmam" by using hardwood stem cuttings under field conditions. The effect of the variety, the type of cutting layout (vertical vs. inclined cuttings) and the number of years after planting in the nursery on the plants vigor was recorded. The results indicate that neither the variety nor the cutting layout affected significantly the percent of rooted cuttings at the end of the first year. This percent varied between 87 and 98%. Moreover, the cuffing layout didn't affect the rooting response of cuttings for each of the studied five varieties. However, both the variety and the type of cutting layout affected significantly plant vigor toward the end of the first season. Plants of "Ournaksi" were more vigorous than those of "Gouddanell or "Chaari". Those of "Kadota" and "Aounaq El Hmam" were the least vigorous. Vertically planted cuttings induced more vigor in comparison to those planted inclined except for "Aounaq El Hmam" and "Kadota" for which plant vigor was not affected by the cutting layout. By the end of the second season in the nursery, plant vigor was affected by the variety. Plant height varied between 53 and 85 cm for the inclined cuttings and between 52 and 79 cm for the vertical ones. The effect of cutting layout on the plant height was significant only for "Kadota" and "Ournaksi" for which the inclined cuttings induced more vigor than the vertical ones. Fig propagation by using hardwood stem cuttings under field conditions is, therefore, of great importance although it requires, under the conditions of this trial, two years to produce vigorous and potentially sellable plants.