Evaluation of Fig (Ficus carica l.) Cultivars for Fertigation Response in Breba Crop Yield and Quality in the Northern Telangana Zone

Abstract

Fig (Ficus carica L.) is a profitable arid crop and responds well to irrigation. A field experiment was conducted at Horticultural Research Station, Adilabad with three different fig cultivars (Brown Turkey, Deanna and Poona Red) as main plots and irrigation methods (rainfed, drip irrigation and fertigation schedules adjusted to growth stages as in Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt and Chemische Industrie (BBCH) numerical scale) as subplots arranged in the Factorial Randomized Block Design during the year 2023-24. The objectives were to study the effects of micro-irrigation and fertigation responses of Brown Turkey, Deanna and Poona Red on breba crop fruit yield and quality and to advise the farmers on selection of variety, water management and fertilization practices. Results revealed that fertigation significantly enhanced vegetative and yield traits across all varieties. The Deanna cultivar under fertigation (V2I2) recorded the highest fruit yield (4.13 kg/tree), fruit weight (78.55 g), and diameter (52.92 mm), along with quality parameters such as TSS (19.67 °Brix), reducing sugars (15.14%) and flavour index (109.27). Brown Turkey showed moderate performance in terms of yield (2.84 kg/tree) and quality traits, while Poona Red under rainfed conditions (V3I0) recorded the lowest yield (2.05 kg/tree) and quality attributes, including the lowest fruit diameter (23.69 mm) and higher titratable acidity (0.34%). Fertigation significantly improved nutrient use efficiency and water availability, contributing to better growth and fruit development. The findings demonstrate that cultivar × irrigation interaction plays a crucial role in determining fig productivity and quality, with all varities under fertigation emerging as profitable for farming community under Northern Telangana zone.