Effects of genotype and shoot origin on rooting performance and early nursery plant development of caprifig (Ficus carica var. caprificus)

Ahı Koşar D., Kılıç M., Öz B. S., Ertürk Ü.

Mustafa Kemal Üniversitesi Tarım Bilimleri Dergisi, cilt.31, sa.3, ss.472-482, 2026 (TRDizin)

Özet

This study was conducted to determine the effects of genotypes and shoot origin (basal and crown shoots) on propagation success of cuttings and early seedling growth in male fig (Ficus carica var. caprificus). Basal and crown shoot cuttings obtained from the ‘Hamza İlek’, ‘Karabulut’, and ‘Yanako’ genotypes were rooted in perlite, and rooting, root and shoot growth, and survival parameters were evaluated. Earlier root emergence was observed in cuttings taken from basal shoots. Rooting percentage differed among genotypes, with the highest value obtained from ‘Karabulut’ (100%) and the lowest from ‘Yanako’ (86.96%). Shoot origin had no significant effect on rooting percentage. In contrast, the survival rate was higher in basal shoot cuttings (85.33%) compared to crown shoot cuttings (60.82%). Root number varied among genotypes, whereas root length was greater in crown shoot cuttings. Additionally, the first shoot emergence occurred earlier in basal shoot cuttings. Correlation analysis revealed a strong positive relationship between root number and survival rate (r = 0.704), indicating that seedling development is more closely related to the quality of the root system than to rooting percentage alone. In conclusion, cuttings taken from basal shoots can be preferred in male fig seedling production due to their higher survival capacity and faster growth.