Abstract
We investigated the effects of non-woven fabric sheet mulch and irrigation on the growth and fruit quality of fig (Ficus carica L. ‘Masui Dauphine’) with different tree vigor. Mulching treatment generally improved coloration and total soluble solid contents in fig fruit; however, when mulching was applied to weak trees due to soil sickness and/or less irrigation supply, mulching further weakened tree vigor with the production of smaller and distorted fruit characteristics. In contrast, mulching controlled excess tree vigor and improved fruit quality with an earlier harvesting date caused by high density cultivation under water conditions of pF≤2.5.
