International Journal of Horticulture, 2024, Vol.14, No.6, 368-380 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/ijh 374 by regulating stomatal conductance, water relations, and nutrient uptake. These fungi help in maintaining higher water content and reducing oxidative damage during drought stress, thereby enhancing the overall resilience of the fig tree in arid conditions (Boutasknit et al., 2020; Madouh and Quoreshi, 2023). Study has shown that the interaction with other plant species, such as the invasive Opuntia ficus-indica, which also exhibits high phenotypic plasticity and drought tolerance, can impact the ecological dynamics and resource availability in arid ecosystems (Tesfay et al., 2023). Understanding these interactions is essential for developing strategies to manage and conserve Ficus caricain its natural habitats. 5 Case Studies 5.1 Impact of climate change and pests on fig yield Fig cultivation has a long history in the Mediterranean region, providing significant support for local economic and social development. However, in recent years, this region has experienced significant climate changes, particularly rising temperatures and decreasing precipitation, which pose threats to fig yield and health (Mellal et al., 2023). At the same time, the rapid spread of pests has exacerbated this issue, challenging the livelihoods of local farmers and agricultural sustainability. Mellal et al. (2023) analyzed the combined effects of climate change and pests on fig yield in Bejaïa Province, Algeria. The results showed that, over the past decade, the annual average temperature in the region increased at a rate of 0.057 °C per year, while annual precipitation decreased by 27.1 mm per year. In terms of pests, 11 types were recorded, including the fungi Diaporthe cinerascens and Fusariumspp., which cause severe damage, as well as the bark beetle Hypocryphalus scabricollis (Gaaliche et al., 2018; Bolboli et al., 2024). These pests spread significantly during the study period, with the number of affected communes increasing from 1 in 2011 to 15 in 2022. Yield analysis showed that the yield per fig tree decreased by 25%, closely related to pest infestations and reduced precipitation. This trend reveals the severe impact of the synergistic effects of climate change and pests on fig cultivation (Figure 3). The study suggests adopting sustainable agricultural management strategies, such as enhanced pest monitoring and improved irrigation systems, to mitigate the dual pressures brought by climate change and pests. Figure 3 Predicted fig yield per tree across years and total number pests (A) and across annual precipitation (B) in Bejaïa, Northern Algeria (Adopted from Mellal et al., 2023) Image caption: Figure A shows that as the number of pests increases, the yield per fig tree significantly decreases, with a more pronounced negative impact observed during the early years of the study. Figure B indicates a positive correlation between annual precipitation and fig tree yield, meaning that higher precipitation is associated with higher yields. These two figures validate the dual stress effect of pests and drought conditions on fig yield, highlighting that effective water management and pest control are crucial factors for improving fig yield under the backdrop of climate change and pest invasions (Adapted from Mellal et al., 2023) 5.2 Physiological responses and adaptation mechanisms of fig genotypes under water deficit conditions With the intensification of global climate change and water scarcity issues, studying the physiological response mechanisms of fig trees under water deficit conditions is crucial for optimizing cultivation management and
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