POMOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF LOCAL FIG (FICUS CARICA) CULTIVARS IN SOUTHERN TUNISIA

This study was carried out on ten local fig (Ficus carica L., Moraceae) cultivars grown in the jessours/tabias (a system that creates a landscape specific to the region) of the Matmata mountain chain in southern Tunisia. During the ripening period of 2003, fruits and leaves were harvested to determine the following pomological characteristics: fruit weight, length, diameter, shape, external color, stalk length and diameter, neck length and diameter, ostiol diameter, internal color, skin thickness and flesh thickness, full maturity, number of lobes in leaf , leaf length, leaf width, leaf area and petiole length. Mean values of parameters showed a highly significant difference between cultivars. The highest weight, length and diameter of fruit were obtained in ‘Magouli’, ‘Jemâaoui’, ‘Ragoubi’ and ‘Zidi’. Local cultivars were adapted to ecological conditions and suitable for fresh and dried consumption.