Evaluation of Fig Cultivars for the Southeastern United States

The common fig (Ficus carica L.) is widely planted in the Southern United States, particularly in states along the gulf coast.  Although commercial production is limited, homeowners enjoy fresh fruit during summer harvest from many popular cultivars.  Several considerations need to be made when choosing a cultivar because of very humid conditions that occur during  the harvest period. The cultivar must produce fruit with a closed or partially closesd ostiole (eye) to reduce spoilage. Late summer defoliation, caused by several pathogens, limits fruit maturity in late season. Large fruit size (> 30 grams) influences yield and picking time. Mature tree size and architecture are also important considerations were space is limited.  A comparison of twelve cultivars of common fig was made in the summer of 2008. Fruit was evaluated for several characteristics based on marketing quality including color, soluble solids and fresh weight.  Late summer defoliation caused by two pathogens was also evaluated.  Cultivars that produce fruit with closed or partially closed ostioles (eye) have less fruit spoilage during wet weather. ‘Hardy Chicago’ and ‘Celeste’ yielded the most marketable fruit during periods of high rainfall. Several cultivars including ‘LSU Purple’, ’O’Rourke’ and ‘Champagne’ have good resistance to late summer defoliation. Trees that had upright growth habit were ‘Champagne’, ’Celeste’ and ‘Hardy Chicago’. ‘Tiger’, ’Magnolia and ‘San Pietro’ had a weeping or prostrate growth habit. The cultivars with largest fruit size were ‘San Pietro’, ‘Magnolia’, ‘Tiger’, and ‘Kadota’.