CAPRIFICATION EFFICIENCY OF SOME TUNISIAN LOCAL FIG (FICUS CARICA L.) CULTIVARS

Fig tree (Ficus carica L.) is well adapted to the conditions of Tunisia. Many cultivars are of Smyrna type and caprification is a common practice in all regions. However, this technique remains not well controlled. The present study was carried out to better understand caprification efficiency in cultivars 'Zidi', 'Bidhi' and Bither Abiadh'. Many parameters were studied as fruit retention, yield, fruit size and quality and shoot growth. In 'Zidi' two fruiting waves were identified and caprification at two dates scheduled on 10-14 days could be sufficient to have a satisfactory yield and fruit quality (60 g per fruit, 19 degrees Brix) without negative effect on shoot elongation. For the other cultivars, the effect of caprification was noted especially on the fruit retention (70% and 65%, respectively, for 'Bidhi' and Tither Abiadh') and the average fruit weight (50 g for Tither Abiadh' and 52 g for 'Bidhi').