Scientia Horticulturae 118 (2008) 308–313

Contents lists available at ScienceDirect

Scientia Horticulturae
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/scihorti

Effect of calcium based fertilization on dried fig (Ficus carica L. cv. Sarılop) yield
and quality
Mehmet Eşref İrget a, Uygun Aksoy b,*, Bülent Okur a, Ali Rıza Ongun a, Mahmut Tepecik a
a
Ege University Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Soil Science, 35100 Bornova-I˙zmir, Turkey
b
Ege University Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Horticulture, 35100 Bornova-I˙zmir, Turkey

A R T I C L E I N F O A B S T R A C T

Article history: Fig tree mainly spread in regions where Mediterranean climate prevails can be grown over a wide range
Received 17 December 2007 of soils without any significant deficiency or toxicity symptoms of plant nutrients. Surveys revealed that,
Received in revised form 14 May 2008 however, quality is highly affected by nutrition especially N, K and Ca in fig production for commercial
Accepted 13 June 2008
drying. This research work was initiated based on few studies performed on fertilization of fig. The
experiment was performed between 2000 and 2002 in three fig orchards of cv. Sarılop (syn. Calimyrna) in
Keywords:
Aydın-Turkey. Trees received seven types of fertilization as (i) untreated control; (ii) NPK (430 g N, 200 g
Fig
P2O5 and 430 g K2O per tree); (iii) NPK + 70 g Ca; (iv) NPK + 140 g Ca; (v) NPK + 280 g Ca; (vi)
Fertilization
Calcium
NPK + 420 g Ca and (vii) N + 420 g Ca, Ca(NO3)2 used as the Ca source. Tested fertilizer applications
Fruit quality showed significant differences in respect to yield and quality of fig. Basic NPK fertilization with additional
Yield 280 g Ca treatment increased overall quality by reducing the number of fruit with ostiole-end crack and
Sunscald sunscald. Results showed that applied fertilizers exerted significantly in reduction of cull ratio and could
Ostiole-end crack alleviate the negative impact of yearly drought conditions.
ß 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

1. Introduction Currently, most of the orchards are located on slopes and fig is

The fig tree (Ficus carica L.) is one of the unique Ficus species
widely spread in tropical and subtropical countries which has
edible fruits with high commercial value. Commercial fig produc-
tion is either located around the Mediterranean Sea or is realized in
countries possessing Mediterranean climate as in the case of
California, Australia or South America. In Turkey, the major fig
producer, around 65% of fig trees are in the western Aegean Region
especially in Small and Big Meander valleys. The major variety
grown in this region is Sarılop (syn. Calimyrna) which is
commercially sun dried (Aksoy et al., 1987, 2001).
Sarılop variety is known world-wide for its superior dried fruit
quality. Climatic conditions prevailing in the Meander Basin
especially in summer during fruit maturation and drying period
play a crucial role on final quality. As a consequence, in the Meander
Basin almost all fruit go for sun-drying whereas fig fruits produced in
other regions are sold for the fresh market (Aksoy et al., 1987, 2001).
Until the 1950s, fig occupied lowland orchards however after the
introduction of irrigation fig trees were replaced by high value crops.
* Corresponding author. Fax: +90 232 388 18 65.
E-mail address: uygun.aksoy@ege.edu.tr (U. Aksoy).
produced as low-input system under rain-fed conditions.
Very little research work has been carried out world-wide on fig
tree fertilization (Proebsting and Warner, 1954; Hernandez et al.,
1994). Taking this into consideration, some of the results obtained
in these research papers are summarized.
Aksoy (1981) reported that N, P, K and Ca concentration
decreased from the initial stage of fruit growth up to the end of the
harvesting period. Kabasakal (1983) recommended beginning of
the fruit maturation period for sampling fig leaves as the most
stable period in respect to nutrients.
Brown (1994) examined seasonal variation of plant nutrients in
Calimyrna (Sarılop) variety and reported reduction in N, P and K
concentrations through out the season whereas increases in Ca
and Mg.
Aksoy and Anaç (1994) applied CaCl2 (1%) as foliar spray towards
the end of the secondfruitgrowth period on trees of three fig varieties,
Bursa Black, Göklop and Sarılop known to have variable tendency for
ostiole-end cracking as resistant, susceptible and intermediate,
respectively. CaCl2 application decreased crack ratio significantly in
Göklop and increased sunscald slightly in Sarılop variety.
Moreno et al. (1998) determined the minimum, optimal and
maximum levels of N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S in fig leaves in a 4-year
research carried out in Granada-Spain.

0304-4238/$ – see front matter ß 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.scienta.2008.06.024
 M.E. I˙rget et al. / Scientia Horticulturae 118 (2008) 308–313 309

İrget et al. (1999) examined foliar application of Ca, K and K + Ca
in nitrate form on fruit quality of Sarılop variety. Potassium
application affected fruit size, colour and firmness positively and
Ca application decreased ostiole-end cracks.
Hakerlerler et al. (1999) applied six levels of ZnSO47H2O
ranging between 0 and 600 g as soil and five levels (0.0–0.2%) as
foliar application. The applications had significant effects on yield,
lamina Zn concentration, shoot length and fruit quality especially
on colour and sugar content.
Şahin (2003) evaluated aflatoxin and ochratoxin A formation in
dried figs produced in Big and Small Meander basins and proposed
that toxin formation was significantly related with fruit size and
sunscald.
Most of the other research work on fig nutrition is based on
surveys monitoring nutritional status of fig trees (Aksoy et al.,
1987; Anaç et al., 1987, 1992; Eryüce et al., 1987; Düzbastılar and
Güleç, 1995; Aşkın et al., 1997), and few evaluated their relation-
ship with fruit yield and quality (Aksoy et al., 1987; Anaç et al.,
1992). Studies carried out in Turkey revealed nutrition related
problems especially in respect to N, K, Ca and B.
Aksoy et al. (1987) and Anaç et al. (1992) reported as a
conclusion of surveys that K enhances fruit taste and colour,
reduces sunscald in fruits, but excess levels promote ostiole-end
crack/split in fruits, whereas Ca reduces ostiole-end crack, but in
case of excess triggers sunscald, reduces fruit size and darkens fruit
colour.
Sunscald and ostiole-end cracks are accepted as defects if they
go over 1/3 of the surface area or length, respectively according to
the Turkish dried fig standard (TS 541). Defected fruits are removed
from parties destined for human consumption and thus increase
the cost. Even if the area affected by sunscald is negligible, it may
modify the taste and palatability and cracks may provide
additional entrance for insects and fungi.
Taking into consideration marked effect of Ca nutrition on yield
and quality of Sarılop (Calimyrna) fig variety, a research was
designed to test the effects of additional soil Ca application
combined with a basic dressing composed of N, P and K or N alone
on.
2. Materials and methods
2.1. Experimental material and conditions
The trial is carried out in 3 Sarılop (syn. Calimyrna) fig orchards
between 2000 and 2002 in two locations in Aydın, the major fig
growing district in western Turkey. The experimental orchards
have typic Xerofluvent (alluvial) soils. Data related to the
experimental sites and physical and chemical soil properties are
displayed in Tables 1 and 2, respectively.
The climatic condition prevailing in the experimental site is
typical Mediterranean climate with dry and hot summers and mild
and rainy winters. The annual rainfall calculated for 1999–2000
season (October–June), 2000–2001 and 2001–2002 are 512.0,
436.6 and 778.7 mm, respectively. The precipitation during the
fruit growth period (July–September) were 20.3, 2.7 and 96.0 mm
in 2000, 2001 and 2002 summers, respectively.
2.2. Fertilization programmes and experimental design
The experiment was designed as randomized blocks with three
replicates, each replicate possessing two trees. The tree vigour was
almost similar, and the average canopy diameter was 6.81 m in
Kanlıbahçe and 5.95 m in Erbeyli. The treatments tested in the
experiment are as follows:
(1) control (no treatment),
(2) NPK,
(3) NPK + 70 g Ca,
(4) NPK + 140 g Ca,
(5) NPK + 280 g Ca,
(6) NPK + 420 g Ca,
(7) N + 420 g Ca.
All trees, except untreated control (1st) and the 7th treatment,
received N, P and K at levels fixed as 430 g N/tree; 200 g P2O5/tree
and 430 g K2O/tree. The 7th treatment was included to investigate
the combined effect of Ca and N under the absence of additional P
and K. As Ca source Ca (NO3)2 (15.5% N + 26% CaO), as N source Ca
(NO3)2 and NH4NO3 (33% N), as P source DAP (18-46-0) and as K
source K2SO4 (0-0-50) was used. Fertilizers were applied yearly as
two parallel lines on all four sides of the tree at a depth of 10–15 cm
during the period between end-February to mid-March. To avoid
mixing of fertilizers, fertilizer containing Ca was applied to one
line, and N, P and K fertilizers to the second line.
2.3. Data collection and statistical analysis
Partially shrivelled fig fruits falling onto the ground from each
tree were collected separately and further dried on drying trays.
Cull fig fruits defined as defected in Turkish TS 541 (Anonymous,

Table 1
Background information related to the experimental orchards

Location Geographic location Tree age Tree training Irrigation Fertilization Initial conditions/problems
0 00
1. Kanlıbahçe 37851 57 1N >60 Multitrunk 1–2 times Only N fertilizers Yield moderate, internal rot,
darkening of fruit colour right after harvest
278350 0400 7E

2. Erbeyli 378510 5300 1N >30 Single trunk Rain-fed None High cull ratio
278390 5600 0E

Table 2
Soil properties of fig orchards located in Kanlıbahçe in Germencik (1) and in Erbeyli (2) (Aydın/Turkey)

Location Soil depth (cm) Texture pH CaCO3 (%) CEC (cmolc kg1) OM (%) TotalN (%) P (mg kg1) K Ca Mg

(1) Kanlıbahçe 0–24 Sandy loam 7.04 0.55 14.84 1.52 0.084 1.20 167 2071 356
49–75 Loam 7.50 3.53 24.16 1.68 0.067 0.67 137 3684 472

(2) Erbeyli 0–20 Sandy loam 7.54 1.07 11.74 0.67 0.031 2.95 134 1714 235
60–80 Sand 7.85 2.72 4.14 0.21 0.028 1.18 33 437 174

P: water extractable P by the Bingham; OM: organic matter; K-Ca-Mg: 1N NH4OAc pH 7; CEC: cation exchange capacity.
310 M.E. I˙rget et al. / Scientia Horticulturae 118 (2008) 308–313

Table 3
Quality classes in evaluating sun-scald and crack index

Class Crack Sunscald

0 None No cracking None No sunscald

1 Slight Less than 1/3 of fruit length Slight Sun scalded area less than 1/3 of fruit surface

2 Medium Between 1/3–2/3 of fruit length Medium Area between 1/3–2/3 of fruit surface
0
3 Severe More than 2/3 of fruit length Severe More than 2/3 of the fruit surface

2006) and UN/ECE Dried Fig Standards (Anonymous, 2004) were
removed and weighed. Total yield per tree was calculated at the
end of the season. Marketable yield was calculated as the
difference between total yield and cull figs. Cull ratio was
calculated as cull/total fruit yield. The number of trunks and
canopy diameters were also determined to assess tree vigour.
Fruit samples were taken during the harvest period, and
physical parameters as average fruit weight (g), cracked (split) or
sun scalded fruit ratios were analyzed on 15–20 fresh fruit samples
taken per tree. Fruit maturation was monitored in all trees in both
years. Two trained panelists evaluated ostiole-end crack (split) and
sun scalded fruit ratio twice during the harvest period, and the
results are expressed as the average of the two. Evaluation of crack
and sunscald rate was made visually according to the 0–3 scale
(Table 3) and average index values were calculated according to
the numbers of fruits in each quality classes.
The trials were set up in three orchards, two of which were
located next to each other in Kanlıbahçe/Germencik (location 1)
yielding similar effects therefore average was taken for two years
in 2000 and 2001. A parallel trial was performed in Erbeyli, as the
third orchard in 2001 and 2002 (location 2). Analysis of variance
was applied to data obtained separately in each location for two
years and averages calculated for each location were compared by
Tukey test (p  0.05) using SAS program (SAS, 2006).
year irrespective of the location. In 2001, total yields were reduced
by 26.0 and 19.1%, respectively in Kanlıbahçe and Erbeyli
compared to other years of the experiment.
3.1.2. Marketable yield
The lowest marketable yield values as it is for the total yield
were obtained in control parcels as 21.60 and 10.94 kg/tree
(Table 5) in Kanlıbahçe and Erbeyli, respectively. The highest
marketable yields were in NPK treatment in Kanlıbahçe (26.91 kg/
tree) and in NPK + 280 g Ca (16.57 kg/tree) treatment in Erbeyli.
N + Ca application alone improved marketable yield compared to
control in both locations. In respect to marketable yield, the
difference among treatments other than the control was not
statistically significant in Kanlıbahçe. In Erbeyli, Ca application
ranging between 70 and 420 g/tree in addition to NPK resulted in
significantly higher marketable yields compared to control, NPK
and N + Ca applications. The varying responses to the treatments
between the two locations can be due to the different soil
properties. As presented in Table 2, the organic matter, CEC, total N,
Table 4
Total dried fig yield (kg/tree) obtained with tested treatments
Treatment Total Yield (kg/tree)
Kanlıbahçe Erbeyli

3. Results and discussion 1. Control 26.38 b 15.84 c

2. NPK 30.87 a 17.87 bc
3. NPK + 70 g Ca 29.44 ab 18.51 abc
3.1. Total and marketable yield 4. NPK + 140 g Ca 29.31 ab 20.43 ab
5. NPK + 280 g Ca 29.28 ab 20.92 a
The tested treatments yielded significant differences in respect 6. NPK + 420 g Ca 30.71 a 19.19 ab
7. N + 420 g Ca 29.70 ab 18.21 abc
to total and marketable dried fig yields.
Tukey 3.35 2.89

3.1.1. Total yield Year 1 33.76 a (2000) 16.85 b (2001)

Year 2 25.00 b (2001) 20.57 a (2002)
In both locations, the lowest yields were obtained in untreated
Tukey 1.74 1.00
control trees as 26.38 and 15.84 kg/tree (Table 4). On the other
hand, the highest yields were obtained with NPK application as Year  treatment (p > F) ns ns
30.87 kg/tree in Kanlıbahçe and NPK + 280 g Ca applications in
Erbeyli as 20.92 kg/tree. NPK + Ca or N + Ca applications did not
have any additional affect on yield in both locations except
Table 5
NPK + 280 g Ca in Erbeyli. The average yield values in both Marketable yield (kg/tree) obtained with tested treatments
locations were within the limits reported by Hakerlerler et al.
Treatment Marketable yield (kg/tree)
(1999) as 14.5 and 22.1 kg/tree.
There are many factors known to affect fruit yield and quality in Kanlıbahçe Erbeyli
fig trees as soil, climatic conditions, cultural practices, e.g. pruning,
1. Control 21.60 b 10.94 d
irrigation, fertilization, plant protection and caprification (Aksoy 2. NPK 26.91 a 13.41 c
et al., 2001). In Sarılop variety caprification is the major factor 3. NPK + 70 g Ca 25.59 a 14.65 abc
affecting fruit set and thus yield, however, shoot length and 4. NPK + 140 g Ca 25.49 a 16.19 ab
5. NPK + 280 g Ca 25.63 a 16.57 a
number of buds per shoots are reported to be related with yield
6. NPK + 420 g Ca 26.86 a 15.29 abc
(Aksoy et al., 1987; Anaç et al., 1992). Based upon the correlations 7. N + 420 g Ca 25.92 a 13.86 bc
obtained in surveys, the researchers mention that nitrogen triggers Tukey 3.12 2.36
shoot growth and tree vigour, increases number of fruits but in
Year 1 30.83 a (2000) 12.18 b (2001)
case of excess levels, reduce fruit quality. The results of the Year 2 20.13 b (2001) 16.64 a (2002)
experiment support these findings that point out the key role of Tukey 1.093 0.82
nitrogen in respect to total yield. Yearly conditions had marked
Year  treatment (p > F) ns ns
effects and the yields obtained in 2001 were lower than the other
 M.E. I˙rget et al. / Scientia Horticulturae 118 (2008) 308–313 311

Table 6 Table 7
Average fruit weight (g) Average ostiole-end crack index calculated according to 0 to 3 scale

Treatment Average fruit weight (g) Treatment Ostiole-end crack/split index

Kanlıbahçe Erbeyli Kanlıbahçe Erbeyli

1. Control 16.15 14.43 c Mean 2001 2002 Mean

2. NPK 17.02 15.02 bc
3. NPK + 70 g Ca 16.54 16.48 a 1. Control 1.50 a 1.33 a 1.78 a 1.56 a
4. NPK + 140 g Ca 16.81 16.02 ab 2. NPK 1.40 ab 1.17 a 1.54 ab 1.36 ab
5. NPK + 280 g Ca 17.14 16.24 a 3. NPK + 70 g Ca 1.32 bc 0.92 b 1.25 bc 1.09 bc
6. NPK + 420 g Ca 16.92 15.50 ab 4. NPK + 140 g Ca 1.37 b 0.83 b 1.13 c 0.98 c
7. N + 420 g Ca 16.85 15.65 ab 5. NPK + 280 g Ca 1.33 bc 0.92 b 1.13 c 1.02 c
Tukey ns 1.00 6. NPK + 420 g Ca 1.29 bc 1.17 ab 1.05 c 1.11 bc
7. N + 420 g Ca 1.21 c 1.21 ab 1.00 c 1.11 bc
Year 1 16.98 (2000) 15.18 b (2001) Tukey 0.15 0.41 0.41 0.31
Year 2 16.78 (2001) 16.05 a (2002)
Tukey ns 0.35 Year 1 1.36 b (2000) 1.08 b (2001)
Year 2 1.58 a (2001) 1.27 a (2002)
Year  treatment (p > F) ns ns Tukey 0.06 0.13

Year  treatment (p > F) ns 0.05*

available K and Ca contents are lower in Erbeyli compared to alities, environmental or cultural factors are also known to affect
Kanlıbahçe especially below 20 cm depth, around the root zone. fruit cracking (Opara et al., 1997). Cracking is not yet fully
This data emphasizes the need to evaluate site specific conditions investigated in fig fruits, however, previous studies based on
especially soil properties thoroughly prior to any further recom- observations and surveys display that ostiole-end cracking of fig
mendations regarding plant nutrition. fruit is linked with variety, climatic conditions, soil properties
In Kanlıbahçe, average marketable yield was 30.83 kg/tree in (lime and available Ca content) and nutritional status, especially Ca
2000 and decreased by 34.7% to 20.13 kg/tree in 2001. In Erbeyli, (Aksoy et al., 1987, 2001). Shear (1971) also reported that
there was a 26.80% difference in marketable yield obtained deficiency of Ca and B may lead to development of fruit crack,
between 2001 and 2002. while high N would intensify the disorder.
Soil Ca applications are generally regarded as insufficient to
3.2. Fruit quality increase fruit Ca concentration, thereby in overcoming physiological
disorders related to Ca (Mengel and Kirkby, 2001; Poovaiah et al.,
Fig fruit quality was assessed by determining the average fruit 1988; Bangerth, 1979). Ca related metabolic disorders are attributed
weight, ratios of fruit with ostiole-end crack or sunscald and cull to uneven distribution of Ca within the plant rather than Ca uptake
fruit ratio. by the plants. As a consequence, in general foliar Ca applications are
recommended rather than soil applications. The results obtained
3.2.1. Average fruit weight regarding the increases in fruit Ca concentration and consequent
Tested treatments had marked effects on average fruit weight in reduction in ostiole-end cracks through soil Ca applications point
Erbeyli, and additional Ca increased fruit weight compared to out that fig fruit can be highly responsive to soil available Ca or
control, however, the impact was not statistically significant in benefit from soil Ca applications by higher extraction and
Kanlıbahçe (Table 6). In both trials, the untreated control parcels translocation capacity. This can be a case specific for the fig tree
gave the smallest fruit weight with 16.15 g in Kanlıbahçe and since fig fruit is known to be highly rich in Ca compared to other
14.43 g in Erbeyli. Largest fruit were obtained by the addition of Ca fruits (Anonymus, 2002; Aksoy et al., 1987; Anaç et al., 1992), thus
as 280 g to NPK in Kanlıbahçe (17.14 g/fruit) and as 70 g in Erbeyli it is worth to investigate calcium nutrition of fig fruit more in depth
(16.48 g/fruit). The average fruit weight of Sarılop dried fig fruits is in order to contribute to other fruit species, as well. The additional
reported to range between 10.2 and 28.2 g (Aksoy et al., 1987; Anaç additive effects of Ca application in the following years in
et al., 1992; Şahin, 2003). Dried fruit weight varies in Sarılop
cultivar according to the number of fruits on the tree, yearly Table 8
climatic conditions or cultural practices applied (Aksoy et al., Average sunscald index calculated according to 0–3 scale
2001). Dried fruit size is the major factor in determining price of Treatment Sunscald index
dried fig fruits especially for direct consumption. In both locations,
Kanlıbahçe Erbeyli
average fruit weight was decreased at Ca levels exceeding
NPK + 280Ca therefore addition of Ca around this optimum level Mean 2001 2002 Mean
can be recommended to obtain higher fruit weight and thus higher
1. Control 1.73 a 1.92 a 1.71 a 1.82 a
prices. Yearly conditions also put forth significant effects on fruit 2. NPK 1.49 c 1.83 ab 1.38 b 1.61 ab
size in Erbeyli, larger fruits (16.05 g) being obtained in 2002 3. NPK + 70 g Ca 1.54 bc 1.58 b 1.25 b 1.42 b
compared to 2001 (15.18 g) (Table 6). 4. NPK + 140 g Ca 1.59 ab 1.67 ab 1.38 b 1.53 ab
5. NPK + 280 g Ca 1.66 ac 1.83 ab 1.21 b 1.52 ab
6. NPK + 420 g Ca 1.70 a 1.75 ab 1.21 b 1.48 ab
3.2.2. Ostiole-end crack 7. N + 420 g Ca 1.74 a 1.92 a 1.46 ab 1.69 ab
Tested treatments and yearly conditions had significant effects Tukey 0.15 0.32 0.32 0.21
on fruit with ostiole-end crack. In both experiments, the lowest
Year 1 1.55 b (2000) 1.79 a (2001)
crack index was obtained with treatments containing Ca in both Year 2 1.72 a (2001) 1.37 b (2002)
years and locations (Table 7). This result can be attributed to the Tukey 0.10 0.15
role of Ca on stability and integrity of the cell wall (Marschner,
Year  treatment (p > F) ns 0.01**
1995). Fruit internal factors, various biotic, genetic, skin abnorm-
312 M.E. I˙rget et al. / Scientia Horticulturae 118 (2008) 308–313

Table 9
Leaf and fruit Ca and K concentration in Erbeyli

Treatment Leaf Fruit

K (%) Ca (%) K (%) Ca (%)

2001 2002 2001 2002 2001 2002 2001 2002

1. Control 0.54 b 0.66 d 5.62 cd 5.78 cd 1.01 ab 0.98 b 0.31 0.30 b

2. NPK 0.65 a 0.98 a 5.54 d 5.62 d 1.13 a 1.25 a 0.30 0.29 b
3. NPK + 70 g Ca 0.62 ab 0.80 bc 5.67 abcd 5.81 bcd 1.01 ab 1.12 ab 0.30 0.34 a
4. NPK + 140 g Ca 0.66 a 0.88 ab 5.98 abc 6.24 ab 1.00 b 1.07 b 0.32 0.34 a
5. NPK + 280 g Ca 0.66 a 0.99 a 5.63 ab 6.14 abc 1.05 ab 1.14 ab 0.31 0.36 a
6. NPK + 420 g Ca 0.67 a 0.92 ab 6.06 ab 6.33 a 1.02 ab 1.08 b 0.30 0.35 a
7. N + 420 g Ca 0.61 ab 0.70 cd 6.08 a 6.72 a 1.08 ab 0.98 b 0.32 0.36 a
Tukey 0.10 0.14 0.44 0.44 0.12 0.16 ns 0.04

Year 1 0.63 b (2001) 5.80 b (2001) 1.04  (2001) 0.31 b (2001)

Year 2 0.85 a (2002) 6.04 a (2002) 1.09  (2002) 0.33 a (2002)
Tukey 0.05 0.17 ns 0.01
Year  treatment (p > F) 0.01** 0.05* ns 0.05*

preventing fruit crack needs to be considered, as well. Together
with Ca, the impact of B shall be investigated in future studies.
3.2.3. Sunscald
In Kanlıbahçe, fruits receiving NPK alone were the least affected.
Sunscald index increased with the increasing Ca levels added to
NPK. Control and N + 420 g Ca treatments had the highest sunscald
index in both locations (Table 8). Similarly, the highest index
values were found in control and N + Ca in Erbeyli. The difference
between the years was significant in both locations yielding higher
sunscald index in 2001.
The actual mechanisms of sunscald of fig fruit need further
investigation as it is with fruit cracking. The results of surveys and
on-going researchwork disclose significant effect of soil properties
and aspect (light intensity) on sunscald. In this respect, soil
available potassium content seems to be effective on sunscald
incidence, and K applications prevented or reduced the defect. In
Erbeyli, application of NPK enhanced fruit K content significantly,
whereas, addition of Ca to NPK decreased fruit K levels (Table 9).
These findings support previous results showing positive correla-
tion between sunscald and fruit K concentration and negative
correlation with fruit Ca (Aksoy et al., 1987; Anaç et al., 1992). The
results also signify the importance of the balance between K and Ca
in respect to sunscald.
Previous findings put forward higher incidence of sunburn
among fruits facing south or those that are under direct and
intensive sun, and thus lead to the assumption that sunburn can be
due to photooxidative damage (Cakmak, 2007). Brown (1994) also
Table 10
Cull fruit ratio (%) obtained in tested treatments
reported that sunscald significantly reduces quality of figs in
California, although the association between fig sunscald and leaf K
concentrations has not been investigated.
3.2.4. Cull ratio
The highest overall fruit quality was obtained with addition of
Ca to NPK, 280 g in Kanlıbahçe and 420 g in Erbeyli Ca due to low
cull ratio. In Kanlıbahçe, cull fruits totalled to 2.91 kg/tree (8.81%)
in 2000 and to 4.87 kg/tree (19.66%) in 2001. In Erbeyli, cull fruits
were 4.66 kg/tree (27.94%) in 2001 and 3.93 kg/tree (19.34%) in
2002. In both years and locations, control trees possessed the
lowest dried fig quality with highest cull ratio (Table 10). Studies
carried out in dried fig orchards in Small and Big Meander Basin
reported cull ratios ranging between 13.30 and 89.12% (Anaç et al.,
1992), 28.6–30.4% (Aksoy et al., 1987) and 4.59–31.17% (Şahin,
2003). The cull ratios obtained in the experiment are in the lower
end of the results of the previous surveys.
Total yield and cull ratio were affected especially by the lack of
rainfall during the period between October and June in 2001. This
effect was more pronounced than the negative effect of rain during
fruit maturation and drying period as experienced in 2002. Under
drought conditions nutrient uptake and translocation are reduced
leading to higher sunscald incidence (Nilsen and Orcutt, 1996).
Drought also favours sunscald of fruits due to early leaf fall that
leads to direct exposure to sun. Ca addition to NPK seemed to
reduce the impact of drought stress and sunscald and crack
incidence and thus resulted in lower cull ratio (Table 10). The effect
of applied nutrients especially of Ca continues in the consequent
years. Observations performed in the following years in the
experimental orchards revealed decreased ostiole-end crack and
cull ratios supporting this view.

Treatment Cull ratio (%) 4. Conclusion

Kanlıbahçe Erbeyli
The results obtained proved that tested treatments play a major
1. Control 19.56 a 31.21 a
2. NPK 13.72 b 25.57 b role to obtain high yield and quality in Sarılop fig production.
3. NPK + 70 g Ca 14.35 b 21.17 cd Fertilization with NPK alone or in combination with Ca increased
4. NPK + 140 g Ca 12.75 b 21.41 cd the total yield in both experiments. Addition of Ca up to a certain
5. NPK + 280 g Ca 12.74 b 21.28 cd level to basic NPK fertilization enhanced fruit quality by increasing
6. NPK + 420 g Ca 13.43 b 20.47 d
7. N + 420 g Ca 13.10 b 24.36 bc
average fruit weight and lowering cull ratio through reduced
Tukey 2.86 3.27 sunscald and ostiole-end crack incidence. Together with basic NPK
fertilization Ca addition to the soil at a range of 280 and 420 g Ca/
Year 1 8.81 b (2000) 27.94 a (2001)
Year 2 19.66 a (2001) 19.34 b (2002)
tree is recommended taking into consideration its effect on
Tukey 1.00 1.13 sunscald and further effects in consequent years. As a consequence
of appropriate fertilization, profitability can be advanced through
Year  treatment (p > F) 0.01** ns
higher yields and higher farm prices. The results also show that site
 M.E. I˙rget et al. / Scientia Horticulturae 118 (2008) 308–313
specific soil and ecological conditions and consequent effects of the
applications must be taken into consideration in fertilization.
Acknowledgements
The project is funded by the Turkish Scientific and Technolo-
gical Research Council (TÜBİTAK) as Project TARP 2574-7 under Fig
Research Unit. The authors extend their thanks to Erbeyli Fig
Research Institute and to Güngör Family Farm for their under-
standing and hospitality during the experiments, to Prof. Dr.
Hayrettin Okut for his support in statistical evaluation and Prof. Dr.
Ernest Kirkby for his valuable comments.
References
Aksoy, U., 1981. Akça, Göklop ve Sarılop İncir Çeşitlerinde Meyve Gelişmesi,
Olgunlaşması ve Depolanması Üzerinde Araştırmalar (Research on Fruit
Growth, Ripening and Storage of Akça, Göklop and Sarılop Fig Fruits), Ph.D.
Thesis (unpublished), Ege Univ. Fac. of Agr. Dept. of Horticulture, Bornova-
İzmir-Turkey.
Aksoy, U., Anaç, D., Hakerlerler, H.H., Düzbastılar, M., 1987. Germencik Yöresi
Sarılop İncir Bahçelerinin Beslenme Durumu ve İncelenen Besin Elementleri
ile Bazı Verim ve Kalite Özellikleri Arasındaki İlişkiler (Nutritional Status of Fig
Orchards in Germencik Region and Relationships between Investigated Plant
Nutrients and Some Yield Components and Quality). Tariş AR-GE, Project No.
006, Bornova-İzmir, Turkey.
Aksoy, U., Anaç, D., 1994. The effect of calcium chloride application on fruit quality
and mineral content of fig. Acta Hort. 368, 754–762.
Aksoy, U., Can, H.Z., Hepaksoy, S., Şahin, N., 2001. İncir Yetiştiriciliği (Fig Growing).
TÜBİTAK TARP (Türkiye Tarımsal Araştırma Projesi) Yayınları.
Anaç, D., Aksoy, U., Eryüce, N., 1987. Ege Bölgesi İncir Bahçelerinin Makro ve Bazı
Mikro Besin Elementleri İçeriklerinin Yaprak Analizleri Yolu ile Saptanması
Üzerinde Araştırmalar. I. Büyük Menderes Havzası (Research to Determine
Macro and Micro Nutrients in Fig Orchards in the Aegean Region through Leaf
Analysis. I. Big Meander Basin). E.Ü. Zir Fak. Dergisi, Cilt 24 (1), 75–90.
Anaç, D., Aksoy, U., Hakerlerler, H.H., Düzbastılar, M., 1992. Küçük Menderes
Havzası İncir Bahçelerinin Beslenme Durumu ve İncelenen Toprak ve Yaprak
Besin Elementleri ile Bazı Verim ve Kalite Özellikleri Arasındaki İlişkiler (Nutri-
tional Status of Fig Orchards in Small Meander Basin and Relationships between
Soil and Leaf Nutrients and Some Yield and Quality Characteristics). Tariş AR-
GE, Bornova-İzmir.
Anonymus, 2002. McCance and Widdowson’s The Composition of Foods, 6th
summary ed. Food Standards Agency, Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge,
UK.
Anonymous, 2004. UN/ECE Standard DF-14 concerning the marketing and com-
mercial quality control of dried figs. Geneva.
Anonymous, 2006. Dreid Figs.TS 541.Turkish Standards Institute, Ankara.
Aşkın, A., Ceylan, Ş., Yener, H., 1997. A Study on the Nutritional Status of Fig Orchards
in Birgi-İrimağzı. In: Aksoy, Hepaksoy, Ferguson (eds.), Proceedings of the First
International Symposium on Fig. Acta Hort. 480, 239–246.
313
Bangerth, F., 1979. Calcium-related physiological disorders of plants. Ann. Rev.
Pyhtopathol. 17, 97–122.
Brown, P.H., 1994. Seasonal variation in Fig (Ficus carica L.) leaf nutrient concen-
trations. Hort Sci. 29, 871–873.
Cakmak, I., 2007. Role of Potassium in Alleviating Abiotic Stress. Int. Fert. Soc.,
Proceedings 611, York, UK, pp. 1–20.
Düzbastılar, M., Güleç, I., 1995. Ege Bölgesi İncir Bahçelerinin Beslenmesi Açısından
Toprak Özelliklerinin Belirlenmesi (Analysis of Soil Properties in respect to
Nutrition of Fig Orchards in the Aegean Region). İlhan Akalan Toprak ve Çevre
Sempozyumu, Cilt 2, 73–80, Ankara.
Eryüce, N., Aksoy, U., Anaç, D., 1987. Ege Bölgesi İncir Bahçelerinin Makro ve Bazı
Mikro Besin Elementleri İçeriklerinin Yaprak Analizleri Yolu ile Saptanması
Üzerinde Araştırmalar. II. Küçük Menderes Havzası (Research to Determine
Macro and Micro Nutrients in Fig Orchards in the Aegean Region through Leaf
Analysis. II. Small Meander Basin). E.Ü. Zir Fak. Dergisi, Cilt 24 (1), 151–160.
Hakerlerler, H.H., Aydın, Ş., İrget, M.E., Aksoy, U., Tutam, M., 1999. The Effect of Soil
and Foliage Applied Zinc on Yield and Quality of Fig (Ficus carica L.) for Drying.
Soils with Mediterranean Type of Climate 6th International Meeting. Extended
Abstracts. Universitat de Barcelona, Spain, pp. 256–259.
Hernandez, F.B.T., Modesto, J.C., Suzuki, M.A., Corréa, L.S., 1994. Effect of irrigation
and nitrogen levels on qualitative and nutritional aspects of fig trees (Ficus
carica L.). Sci. Agric. Piracicaba 51 (2), 292–297.
İrget, M.E., Aydın, Ş., Oktay, M., Tutam, M., Aksoy, U., Nalbant, M., 1999. Effect of
foliar potassium nitrate and calcium nitrate application on nutrient content and
fruit quality of fig. In: Anaç, Martin-Prével, (Eds.), Improved Crop Quality by
Nutrient Management. Kluwer Academic Publishers, pp. 81–85.
Kabasakal, A., 1983. Sarılop İncir Çeşidinde Bazı Mineral Besin Maddelerinin Mev-
simsel Değişimi ve Toprak-Bitki-Sürgün ve Meyve Gelişmesi İlişkileri Üzerinde
Araştırmalar (Research on Seasonal Changes of Some Plant Nutrients and
Relationships between Soil-Plant-Shoot and Fruit Growth). Ph. D. Thesis
(Unpublished), Ege Univ. Fac. of Agr. Soil Science Dept., Bornova-İzmir, Turkey.
Marschner, H., 1995. Mineral Nutrition of Higher Plants, 2nd ed. Academic Press,
London.
Mengel, K., Kirkby, E.A., 2001. Principles of Plant Nutrition, 5th ed. Kluwer
Academic Publishers, Dordrecht.
Moreno, D.A., Pulgar, G., Villora, G., Romero, L., 1998. Nutritional diagnosis of fig tree
leaves. J. Plant Nutr. 21 (2), 2579–2588.
Nilsen, E.T., Orcutt, D.M., 1996. Physiology of Plants under Stress: Abiotic Factors.
John Wiley and Sons, Inc., NewYork.
Opara, L.U., Studman, C.J., Banks, N.H., 1997. Fruit skin splitting and cracking. Hort.
Rev. 19, 217–262.
Poovaiah, B.W., Glenn, G.M., Reddy, A.S.N., 1988. Calcium and fruit softening:
physiology and biochemistry. Hortic. Rev. 10, 107–152.
Proebsting, E.L., Warner, R.M., 1954. The effect of fertilizers on yield quality and leaf
composition of figs. Proc. Am. Soc. Hort. Sci. 63 (1), 10–18.
SAS. 2006. SAS/STAT User’s Guide, Version 9.3rd. SAS Institute, Cary, NC.
Şahin, E., 2003. Büyük ve Küçük Menderes Havzalarında Yetiştirilen Kurutmalık
İncirlerde (Ficus carica L.) Aflatoksin ve Okratoksin A Varlığının, Dağılımının ve
Kalite ile İlişkisinin Araştırılması (Research on Aflatoxin and Ochratoxin A
Incidence and Distribution in Dried Figs Grown in Big and Small Meander
Basin and their relationships with Fruit Quality), Ph. D. Thesis (Unpublished),
Ege Univ. Fac. of Agr. Dept. of Horticulture, Bornova-İzmir, Turkey.
Shear, C.B., 1971. Symptoms of calcium deficency on leaves and fruit of ‘York
Imperial’ apple. J. Am. Soc. Hort. Sci. 96, 415–417.