First results of the five fig cultivars investigation on pilot-plantation in region of Istria, Croatia.

摘要

Deserted and uncultivated agricultural lands are abundant in Croatian littoral zones and islands. Fig cultivation on plantations can represent an ideal way of sustainable reuse of these areas. Moreover, fresh and processed figs will give them a recognizable agri-ecological image, which is characteristic of the Mediterranean region. According to the official development of agricultural plans for Mediterranean parts of Croatia, the SKINK Company Rovinj planted in the spring of 1999 a pilot fig orchard in Kazela, close to the tourist town of Medulin in the region of Istria. One-year-old seedlings were planted on an area of ~2 ha with a modern drip irrigation system. With this activity, a long-term research project commenced. The purpose of the project is to develop a fig plantation model with the aim of increasing profit on local farms. Within the plantation, there is a trial field with five different cultivars with a total of 80 fig plants. The plants were planted using the accidental block system which can be later used for future investigations on the characteristics of different cultivars and fig cultivation techniques and technologies. During the period 1999-2005, a vegetative increase in the plants was recorded. The highest increase was reported on cultivar Fico della Madonna, while the opposite results were measured on cultivars Vodenjaca and Bruzetka Bijela. The earliest start of vegetation was reported on cultivars Bruzetka Bijela and Fico della Madonna, while latest on cultivars Petrovaca Bijela and Petrovaca Crna. Fruiting per tree was almost equal and still low, thus the yield is not specially presented. The largest fruits (average weight 39.11 g) were measured on cultivar Fico della Madonna, and the smallest ones (average weight 21.43 g) on the cultivar Bruzetka Bijela.