Growth and Fruit Production of ‘Masui Dauphine’ Figs (Ficus carica L.) Grafted on Rootstock Varieties Resistant to Ceratocystis Canker

Abstract

The goal of this study was to determine the suitability of rootstock of 4 fig (Ficus carica L.) varieties: ‘Celeste’ (‘Malta’), ‘Ischia Black,’ ‘Negronne’ (‘Bordeaux’), and ‘Kibaru,’ resistant to ceratocystis canker disease. The growth and fruit production of ‘Masui Dauphine’ (‘San Piero’) fig trees grafted on these 4 varieties and on sick soil resistant ‘Zidi’ were compared with those of own-rooted ones in fields without this disease. The results from trees of ages 2 to 4 or 5 years in a normal field showed that the length and basal width of shoots on these rootstocks, except those on ‘Celeste,’ tended to be greater than those on the own-rooted trees. The characteristics of fruit set, maturation date, and fruit qualities on these rootstocks were similar to those of the own-rooted trees. A few exceptions were observed in the basal portion of the shoots, in which the ratio of fruit set on ‘Negronne,’ ‘Kibaru,’ and ‘Zidi,’ and soluble solid content of the fruit juice on ‘Celeste,’ ‘Negronne,’ ‘Ischia Black,’ and ‘Kibaru,’ both tended to be lower than those of the own-rooted trees. The results from trees on ‘Negronne,’ ‘Ischia Black,’ and ‘Zidi’ aged 2 to 4 years in a field without ceratocystis canker but with soil sickness showed that the total volumes of shoots on 2 rootstocks, ‘Negronne’ and ‘Ischia Black,’ were not significantly different from that of the own-rooted trees, in contrast to being larger on ‘Zidi.’ In conclusion, none of the rootstock varieties resistant to ceratocystis canker disease had a clear influence on fruit production of the scion ‘Masui Dauphine.’ Hence, among the varieties used in this study, ‘Negronne’ and ‘Kibaru’ are recommended rootstocks in terms of disease resistance.