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Performance of Fig (Ficus carica L.) Under Different Planting Densities

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 Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2017) 6(6): 2603-2610

International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences

ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 6 Number 6 (2017) pp. 2603-2610
Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas.com

Original Research Article https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2017.606.311

Performance of Fig (Ficus carica L.) Under Different Planting Densities

R. Chithiraichelvan, Reju M. Kurian*, Chandrakant M. Awachare and R.H. Laxman

Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hessaraghatta Lake, Bengaluru-560 089, India

*Corresponding author

ABSTRACT

A field trial conducted from 2011 to 2015 to study the growth, physiology, fruit yield and
quality of fig (Ficus carica L.) cultivars Deanna and Poona under tree densities of 1000,
800, 666, 571 and 500 plants per hectare indicated that high density planting with 1000 or
Keywords 800 plants per hectare was superior to other planting densities for maintaining tree vigour
and fruit yield under continuous cropping during the initial orchard years. With decrease in
Ficus carica,
tree densities, growth characters like tree height, shoot length, canopy spread, leaf number
Planting distance,
Tree vigour,
and trunk circumference declined gradually which was more pronounced under 500 plants
Yield. per hectare. The gas exchange parameters (photosynthesis rate, stomatal conductance and
transpiration) also declined with tree densities. The per cent PAR interception by the
Article Info canopy that ranged from 79.37 to 86.63% did not differ significantly among the
Accepted: treatments. There was no difference in fruit quality attributes like TSS and acidity among
29 May 2017 the trees grown at the different planting densities. High density planting of fig varieties
Available Online: Poona and Deanna at 1000 plants per hectare with initial training of trees to open centre
10 June 2017 frame work and annual pruning of previous season’s shoots to the basal six nodes during
September is found promising for considerable enhancement in fruit productivity during
the initial six orchard years by 2.5 and 2.0 times respectively under the mild tropical, semi-
arid conditions.

Introduction
The common fig (Ficus carica L.) is a under rain-fed conditions with very little
subtropical, deciduous fruit tree belonging to improved cultural practices. Nowadays, its
the Eusyce subgenus of the Moraceae cultivation is increasingly practiced under
(mulberry) family, cultivated in most irrigation (Melgarejo, 2006) along with
Mediterranean-type climates (Flaishman et different agro-techniques that increase both
al., 2008). Fig is considered nutritionally fruit yield and quality (Erez et al., 2003). In
important owing to its richness in vitamins, India, its cultivation is gaining importance
minerals, antioxidant and medicinal properties recently not only for local consumption, but
(Nath et al., 2008). Despite possibly being the also as a commercial crop, because of its low
oldest cultivated fruit species (Brown, 1994), input requirements and high economic value.
lack of scientific information pertaining to Figs could be an attractive option to gradually
production practices limits its acreages (Botti, replace some of the traditional crops with
2003). Fig being well adapted to high higher water requirement in the arid and semi-
temperatures and low water regimes, has arid regions; but a major limitation to increase
traditionally been cultivated in marginal soils the area and production of this crop in India is
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lack of scientific information for its T2= 2.5m, T3= 3.0m, T4= 3.5m and T5=
commercial cultivation. 4.0m with a common row-to-row distance of
5.0m to accommodate 1000, 800, 666, 571and
Optimum tree densities along with 500 trees per hectare respectively. During the
appropriate canopy management involving experiment, all the previous season’s shoots
training and pruning facilitates better in these plants were annually pruned back to
utilization of incident solar radiation and six basal nodes in September. Observations
increase in bearing surface per unit land area on leaf number, shoot length and intermodal
leading to higher productivity, fruit quality length were recorded at 60 days from pruning.
and profitability in many fruit crops (Iyer and Observations on plant height, trunk
Kurian, 2006). A few attempts have been circumference and canopy spread (north to
made to relate this concept to fig (Kumar et south and east to west) were recorded during
al., 2014; Hosomi et al., 2013; Mano et al., fruiting stage. Gas exchange characteristics,
2011). The light interception by the tree photosynthesis rate (A), transpiration rate (E)
canopy is determined by tree spacing, canopy and stomatal conductance (gs) were recorded
density and height (Jackson, 1980). Due to using Portable Photosynthesis System (model
variations in light intensity in different parts LC Pro, ADC, UK) between 9.30 to 11.30
of the tree crown, the photosynthesis within am. These observations were recorded at
the crown is expected to decrease rapidly with vegetative and fruit development stages, in
increasing depth of foliage (Kozlowski, five replicates in the fully expanded leaves
1992). Thus, the light availability and which were fully exposed, partially exposed
photosynthetic rate of leaves positioned at and completely shaded in the canopy. Number
different levels in the tree canopy under and weight of fruits per tree were recorded at
higher density planting system is very each harvest; from which fruit yields per
important. Nevertheless, as the fruits are hectare were computed. Total soluble solids
borne in the axils of current season’s shoot, (TSS) and titratable acidity (TA) were
maintaining adequate shoot vigour with determined in ten randomly selected fruits per
sufficient number of leaves is also important treatment in each replication. TSS was
to get good fruit yield in fig. Keeping these in estimated using Hand Refractometer in °Brix
view, a field experiment was carried out to at 20°C and TA by AOAC (1990) method
find out the effect of planting density on using phenolphthalein as indicator. Analyses
growth and fruiting of fig cultivars Deanna of variance and F-test were employed for the
and Poona. interpretation of results.

Materials and Methods Results and Discussion

The study was conducted at ICAR-Indian Vegetative growth

Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru
that enjoys mild tropical, semi-arid climate The post pruning shoot emergence was faster
for five years from 2011 to 2015 in in younger than older trees. Differences in
commercially important fig cultivars Deanna shoot length were not significant among the
and Poona under randomized block design different treatments in both Poona and
with five treatments replicated four times. Deanna fig (Tables 1 and 2) which is in
Trees selected were of uniform age, planted in agreement with an earlier finding on the effect
2008 and trained to open center, grown at five of spacing and pruning on Deanna fig (Kumar
different intra-row spacing viz. T1= 2.0m, et al., 2014). The mean tree height, canopy

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spread and trunk circumference over the five µ mol m-2 s-1. Partially shaded leaves,
year period were generally higher under receiving PAR of 475 µ mol m-2 s-1 had
higher tree densities of 1000 and 800 trees per photosynthesis rates in the range of 5.74 to
hectare than lower tree densities, more so in 6.46 µ mol m-2 s-1which was around 42 to 44
the vigorous Poona cultivar than the less % of the fully exposed leaves. The shaded
vigorous Deanna, as evident from tables 1 and leaves receiving PAR of 102 µ mol m-2 s-1
2. Mano et al., (2011) observed that, planting had photosynthesis rates in the range of 2.30
with 0.8 m distance within trees and 3.5 m in to 3.40 µ mol m-2s-1 which was around 18-22
between rows was superior for maintaining % of the fully exposed leaves, indicating that
tree vigor and yields under continuous the higher contribution of photosynthates is
cropping conditions as well as for early from the exposed and partially exposed leaves
recovery from sick soil as compared to 2.0 in the canopy. Even though the shaded leaves
and 4.0 m planting distances respectively in received PAR of only 6.4 % of the exposed
fig cultivar ‘Masui Dauphine’. Kumar et al., leaves they were efficient in terms of
(2014) also noted maximum leaf production, photosynthesis. Hence in the fig canopy
shoot growth, tree height and tree trained to open center, even the shaded leaves
circumference under closer spacing in Deanna placed lower in the canopy contribute to the
fig. Moreover, Mano and Hamada (2005) canopy photosynthesis and productivity. In an
while studying the beneficial effects of high orchard system, the amount of PAR
density planting in fig noted that planting intercepted by the tree canopy influences the
distance with 1.0m between tree and 3 m photosynthesis rate and subsequent growth
between rows was superior for early recovery and productivity. In the present study, the per
from low temperature injury as well as for cent PAR interception by the canopy did not
better growth and yields. differ significantly among the planting
densities (Table 3) where the overall per cent
Physiological parameters PAR interception by the canopy ranged from
79.37 to 86.63%.
During rapid vegetative growth, the tree
density had significant influence on gas At fruit development stage, tree densities did
exchange characteristics of exposed leaves in not have significant influence on the gas
the canopy. Highest photosynthesis rate was exchange characteristics except for the
observed in T1 and least in T5. Highest stomatal conductance in the exposed leaves.
transpiration rate was observed in T3 and However, the photosynthesis rates were in the
least in T5. Highest stomatal conductance was range of 13.82 to 15.52µ mol m-2 s-1 in
observed in T1 and least in T5. However, in exposed leaves, 5.81 to 6.62µ mol m-2 s-1 in
the partially exposed leaves, no significant partially exposed leaves and 2.84 to 3.60µ
differences were observed in photosynthesis mol m-2 s-1 in shaded leaves where they
rate but significant differences were observed received PAR of 1313, 231 and 132µ mol m-2
in transpiration rate and the stomatal s-1, respectively (Table 4). The photosynthesis
conductance. The tree spacing had no rates were in the range as observed during the
influence on the gas exchange characteristics vegetative stage, indicating that the leaves
of the shaded leaves. Overall, the exposed actively contribute for the developing fruits.
leaves, positioned in periphery of the canopy Though the partially shaded and shaded
receiving an average PAR of 1597 µ mol m-2 leaves contribute lower photosynthates to the
s-1 had higher photosynthesis rates. The canopy they had lower transpiration rates and
photosynthesis rate ranged from 13.0 to 15.41 thus reduced the water loss. Leaves receiving

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various light intensities in the tree canopy the more vigorous Poona variety as more
exhibited range of photosynthesis rates; competition for light was expected in its case.
increasing proportional to light intensity till
light saturation occurs, after which the rate of Fruit yield
photosynthesis becomes more or less
constant. Fruit yield in terms of fruit number, weight of
fruits per tree and productivity per hectare
Thus, photosynthesis rates of leaves receiving were significantly influenced by planting
different light regimes in the canopy and density. Despite the low production efficiency
subsequent contribution of photo assimilates in the initial orchard years when trees were
influence the tree growth and yield under still young, the response to planting density
different planting densities. The present study was significant.
on gas exchange parameters was restricted to

Table.1 Effect of tree densities on mean vegetative growth parameters in

Poona fig over the period of five years

Treatment Tree No. of Canopy spread Shoot Trunk

height leaves / (m) length Circumference
No. Spacing Plants/ha (m) shoot N-S E-W (cm) (cm)
T1 5.0 m x 2.0 m 1000 2.47 16.19 2.51 2.20 60.47 34.64
T2 5.0 m x 2.5 m 800 2.57 17.24 2.45 2.27 65.12 36.11
T3 5.0 m x 3.0 m 666 2.29 16.88 2.37 2.21 59.00 33.39
T4 5.0 m x 3.5 m 571 2.27 15.80 2.28 2.30 59.41 34.42
T5 5.0 m x 4.0 m 500 2.28 18.37 2.06 2.12 59.31 33.56
F-test * NS * NS NS NS
SEM ± 0.04 1.02 0.09 0.05 2.54 0.86
CD 5% 0.13 - 0.29 - - -

Table.2 Effect of tree densities on mean vegetative growth parameters in

Deanna fig over the period of five years

Treatment Tree No. of Canopy Shoot Trunk

height leaves / spread (m) length Circumference
No. Spacing Plants/ha (m) shoot N-S E-W (cm) (cm)
T1 5.0 m x 2.0 m 1000 1.96 10.23 2.48 2.19 34.23 31.49
T2 5.0 m x 2.5 m 800 1.85 12.78 2.19 1.85 33.18 31.57
T3 5.0 m x 3.0 m 666 1.92 11.33 2.12 2.04 32.10 31.15
T4 5.0 m x 3.5 m 571 1.85 9.83 2.22 2.17 30.70 29.25
T5 5.0 m x 4.0 m 500 1.79 13.12 2.09 2.01 32.54 29.32
F-test NS NS * NS NS *
SEM ± 0.06 0.03 0.05 0.09 1.10 0.40
CD 5% - - 0.16 - - 1.20

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Table.3 Effect of tree densities on gas exchange parameters

During vegetative growth in Poona fig
Treatm-ent Exposed Leaves Partially Exposed Leaves Shaded Leaves
(PAR~ 1597) (PAR~ 475) (PAR ~102)
Photo Transpiration Stomatal Photo Transpiratio Stomatal Photo Transpiration Stomatal
synthesis (mmol m-2 s- conductance synthesis n (mmol m-2 conductance synthesis (mmol m-2 s-1) conductance
1
rate (µ mol ) (mol m-2 s-1) rate (µ mol s-1) (mol m-2 s-1) rate (µ mol (mol m-2 s-1)
-2 -1 -2 -1
m s ) m s ) m-2 s-1)
T1 15.41 8.21 0.58 5.84 3.22 0.28 3.40 2.34 0.17
T2 14.78 8.67 0.47 5.88 2.90 0.17 2.30 2.73 0.18
T3 14.38 9.45 0.39 5.74 3.48 0.16 2.43 2.80 0.18
T4 13.30 8.77 0.32 6.46 3.79 0.17 2.72 3.09 0.15
T5 13.00 7.35 0.28 6.09 4.04 0.16 3.14 3.19 0.16
F-test * * * NS * * NS NS NS
SEM ± 0.52 6.15 0.11 0.27 0.25 0.02 0.28 0.29 0.02
CD 5% 1.03 0.35 1.62 0.79 0.08 - - - -

Table.4 Effect of tree densities on gas exchange parameters and light interception
During fruit development in Poona fig
Treatment Exposed Leaves Partially Exposed Leaves Shaded Leaves %PAR
(PAR~ 1313) (PAR~ 231) (PAR ~ 132) intercepted
Transpiration Stomatal Photo Transpi Stomatal Photo Transpiration Stomatal Photo by canopy
(mmol m-2 s- conductance synthesis ration conductance synthesis (mmol m-2 s- conductance synthesis
1
) (mol m-2 s-1) rate (µ mol (mmol (mol m-2 s-1) rate (µ mol 1) (mol m-2 s-1) rate (µ mol
-2 -1 -2 -1 -2 -1
m s ) m s ) m s ) m-2 s-1)
T1 5.31 0.45 15.52 2.77 0.24 6.62 3.25 0.18 3.05 83.47 (9.13)
T2 6.20 0.41 14.50 3.30 0.22 6.54 3.14 0.19 3.70 79.37 (8.90)
T3 5.68 0.32 14.20 3.15 0.19 6.01 2.78 0.15 2.84 86.63 (9.30)
T4 5.42 0.30 13.82 3.57 0.19 5.81 2.94 0.18 3.55 81.96 (9.04)
T5 5.99 0.37 14.99 3.47 0.21 5.97 2.89 0.18 3.60 83.50 (9.13)
F-test NS * NS NS NS NS NS NS NS
SEM ± 0.27 0.02 0.39 0.21 0.01 0.38 0.19 0.01 0.30 NS
CD 5% - 0.07 - - - - - - - -
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Table.5 Effect of tree densities on mean yield and fruit quality in Poona fig and
Deanna fig over the period of five years

Treat- Deanna Fig

Poona Fig
ment
Yield/tree Yield/tree
No. of Wt. TSS Acidity No. of Wt. (Kg) TSS (0B) Acidity (%)
Fruits (Kg) (0B) (%) Fruits
T1 328.45 14.02 21.45 0.27 189.75 12.05 17.31 0.27
T2 319.84 13.96 21.35 0.26 173.73 10.18 17.67 0.28
T3 299.35 13.78 21.99 0.29 176.72 9.27 17.32 0.29
T4 313.25 13.53 20.29 0.29 219.68 9.64 17.26 0.26
T5 243.43 11.17 20.95 0.29 191.35 8.41 17.34 0.28
F-test * NS NS * * NS NS NS
SEM± 13.84 1.19 0.47 0.01 10.49 1.54 0.41 0.01
CD 5% 41.51 - - 0.01 31.46 - - -

Table.6 Effect of tree densities on productivity in Poona fig and

Deanna fig over the period of five years

Treat
Poona Fig Deanna Fig
ment
Productivity (MT/ha) Productivity (MT/ha)
Cumul- Cumula
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Mean 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Mean
ative -tive
T1 8.45 14.63 15.22 16.50 15.34 14.02 70.14 5.88 16.04 8.16 7.20 9.00 9.25 46.28
T2 6.41 12.50 10.79 11.88 14.27 11.17 55.85 3.81 12.09 6.04 6.00 8.76 7.34 36.71
T3 3.93 11.04 7.82 9.53 13.64 9.19 45.95 2.80 9.73 8.07 4.30 6.80 6.34 31.71
T4 4.10 8.93 6.47 7.54 11.62 7.73 38.65 1.58 8.35 6.08 4.54 6.86 5.48 27.44
T5 2.15 7.88 4.42 6.87 6.60 5.58 27.93 0.97 7.35 5.30 3.82 5.35 4.56 22.81
F-test * NS * NS * * * NS NS NS NS * * *
SEM ± 0.05 0.22 2.46 7.30 3.10 4.40 0.54 0.35 0.13 0.11 0.28 0.52 0.52 0.52
CD 5% 0.16 - 3.71 - 1.49 1.32 1.62 - - - - 3.11 1.55 1.55

In Poona and Deanna fig, the cumulative were reported under closer spacing of 5x2m
yield (70.10 MT/ha and 46.28 MT/ha with 4 buds/cane pruning in fig (Kumar et al.,
respectively) were highest, under highest tree 2014). However, Hosomi et al., (2013)
density of 1000 trees per hectare with mean reported reduced size and weight of fruit
productivity of 14.02 MT/ha and 9.25 MT/ha under closer spacing in fig which could be
respectively (Table 6). More number of fruits due to change in lighting conditions which
and fruit weight per tree were with higher tree affected photosynthesis rate. Further, Mano et
densities. This could be due to greater al., (2011) perceived that average size of
photosynthetic activity and optimum fruits was unaffected by spacing treatments,
microclimate conditions under closer spacing. however maximum mean yields were higher
Similarly, higher fruit number (133750 / ha), under closer spacing in fig. The trend in terms
fruit weight (62 gm) and yield (173.30 q/ha) of mean fruit number was more or less same

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over the period of five years with respect to per hectare was 2.5 times in case of Poona
planting densities studied. However, in Poona and twice in case of Deanna.
fig, maximum mean number of fruits per tree
(328.45) and lowest mean number of fruits Acknowledgement
per tree (243.43) were at tree densities of
1000 plants and 500 plants per hectare The support of Director, ICAR-Indian
respectively. Moreover, in Deanna fig, Institute of Horticultural Research and Project
maximum fruit yield (12.05 Kg / tree) was Coordinator (Arid Zone Fruits) for the study
noted at higher planting densities of 1000 and the assistance of Mr. TN Nagaraju, Senior
trees per hectare and followed a declining technician in recording field observations are
trend with lower tree densities (Table 5). acknowledged.
Based on above findings, higher planting
density of 1000 trees or 800 trees per ha could References
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How to cite this article:

Chithiraichelvan, R., Reju M. Kurian, Chandrakant M. Awachare and Laxman, R.H. 2017.
Performance of Fig (Ficus carica L.) Under Different Planting Densities.
Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci. 6(6): 2603-2610. doi: https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2017.606.311

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