BIOREGULATORS FOR FIG PRODUCTION UNDER GREENHOUSE CONDITIONS

Abstract

The demand for fresh fig (Ficus carica L.) grows annually in the national and international market, and Mexico has the potential to become a major world producer. To achieve this, it is necessary to increase the yield, advance the harvests and obtain quality fruits. The stepwise ripening of the syconia in the plant represents an economic disadvantage, so it is important to concentrate the production of ripe figs to reduce the frequency of harvests. It has been demonstrated that bioregulators accelerate the development of fruits and improve the yield and quality. The objective of this research was to analyze the effect of the application of five combinations of bioregulators (thidiazuron, gibberellic acid, glutamic acid, tryptophan and thiamine) on the sprouting of secondary axillary buds, and growth, yield and quality of fruits of primary buds. Fig trees cv. Netzahualcoyotl grown under greenhouse conditions were used as genetic material. Treatments were applied by directed spraying on resting secondary axillary buds. The evaluated traits were secondary axillary bud sprouting, growth and yield of the main bud fruit; at harvest length, diameter and weight of the fruit, colour of the skin, firmness, total soluble solids and titratable acidity were evaluated. Bioregulators advanced the harvest time by 15 days, except for the combination of glutamic acid and thiamine. In fruits, the total soluble solids content ( 5 to 10 ºBrix), length (≈ 1 cm), diameter (≈ 0.5 cm) and individual weight (5 to 20 g) increased compared to the control. Color was affected by bioregulators in a negative way as figs had green and immature areas near the peduncle. Fruit yield did not show significant differences. Although bioregulatory treatments improved some quality traits, no combination was consistent to increase yield and quality of fruit figs.