International Journal of Horticulture, 2024, Vol.14, No.6, 368-380 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/ijh 370 2.3 Fruit morphology The fruit of the Ficus carica, known as a syconium, is a specialized inflorescence structure that forms an enclosed, fleshy cavity. This enclosed structure protects the developing seeds, facilitating their successful maturation (Khadivi et al., 2018; Ling et al., 2022). At the apex, there is a small opening called the ostiole. Inside the fruit, numerous tiny flowers are housed, which develop into small drupelets upon pollination (Nair et al., 2021). The shape of the fig fruit can vary from oblong to pear-shaped, with a typical length ranging from 2 to 10 cm. The skin is thin and smooth, displaying colors such as green, purple, or black, depending on the cultivar and ripeness (Khadivi and Mirheidari, 2022). As the fruit matures, the flesh softens and its sweetness increases due to the accumulation of sugars. The ripening process involves complex biochemical changes, including the breakdown of cell walls, the conversion of starches into simple sugars, and the production of aromatic compounds, which attract animals to disperse the fruit. This adaptation enhances the reproductive success of fig trees by encouraging seed dispersal through frugivorous animals (Khadivi et al., 2018; Ling et al., 2022). 2.4 Seed morphology and dispersal mechanisms The seeds of Ficus carica are small and numerous, typically less than 2 mm in length, encased within the tiny drupelets inside the syconium. Each seed contains a small embryo and minimal endosperm, allowing for rapid germination after dispersal (Bougdaoua and Mtili, 2022). The germination rate of fig seeds is high due to their hard outer shell, which protects the embryo and ensures successful germination under suitable conditions. This characteristic is crucial for the reproduction and spread of the species (Khadivi et al., 2018; Ling et al., 2022). Fig seeds dispersal primarily rely on animals such as birds, bats, and mammals, which consume the mature syconium and excrete the seeds at new locations, often far from the parent tree (Nakabayashi et al., 2019). Additionally, the seeds exhibit some degree of dormancy, enabling them to germinate when conditions become favorable. 3 Growth and Reproductive Traits of Ficus carica 3.1 Growth stages: from seedling to maturity Ficus carica undergoes several distinct growth stages from seedling to maturity. During the seedling stage, the plant exhibits slow growth, primarily developing its primary root system and producing the first true leaves. This stage is crucial for establishing the root structure and overall plant health. The juvenile stage is characterized by rapid vegetative growth, with the formation of lateral branches and an increase in leaf area (Ma et al., 2020). During this period, the tree focuses on building a strong structural framework to support future fruit production. As the Ficus carica plant matures, it enters the vegetative growth phase, during which it develops a more extensive root system and a robust stem structure. This stage is essential for establishing the plant's framework and preparing it for future reproductive activities. The final stage is the reproductive phase, where the fig tree begins to flower and produce fruit. This phase is marked by the development of syconia, a unique inflorescence structure in figs that contains internal flowers (Zolfaghari et al., 2019; Gabibova, 2020). The duration of each growth stage varies depending on environmental conditions and cultivar, with most Ficus carica trees reaching reproductive maturity within 3 to 5 years. 3.2 Vegetative propagation methods and advantages Vegetative propagation is a widely used method for cultivating Ficus carica due to its efficiency and reliability. The most common techniques include cutting, grafting, and tissue culture. Cutting involves taking a segment of a mature fig tree and allowing it to root, which is the most commercially viable method due to its simplicity and high success rate (Boliani et al., 2019). Grafting, although not commonly used, can effectively combine the desirable traits of different varieties. Research has shown that grafting can produce plants with ideal characteristics in a relatively short time, which plays a significant role in the conservation of genetic resources and the establishment of high-quality orchards (Teja et al., 2023).
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