The Common Fig (Ficus carica) is a large, deciduous shrub or small tree native to southwest Asia and the Mediterranean area (from Afghanistan to Portugal). The fig grows perfect and produces the most productive quality fruit in Mediterranean and dryer warm-temperate climates. Rains all through fruit development and ripening can cause the end result to separate.
It grows to a peak of 6.0–10 metres (23–33 ft) tall. In containers figs are eye-catching specimens within or open air. Fig trees are scale back significantly in fall or wintry weather, depending on whether the crop is desired the next summer season or fall. Branches are frequently notched to urge lateral branching and increase the yield.
Fig vegetation are easy to propagate through a number of strategies. Propagation using seeds is not the preferred manner since vegetative strategies exist which are sooner and more dependable. For spring propagation, sooner than the tree begins enlargement, minimize 15–25 cm (6-10 inches) shoots that have wholesome buds at their ends, and set into a humid perlite and/or sandy soil combine positioned within the shade.
Once the cuttings begin to produce leaves, bury them as much as the ground leaf to present the plant a just right get started within the desired location. Plants within the field could also be spaced from 6 to 25 toes (1.8-7.five m) apart depending at the cultivar and the fertility of the soil. A spacing of 13 x 13 feet (4×4 m) allows 260 trees/acre (625 trees/ha). In Colombia, growers are prompt to set the bushes at 10 x 10 ft (3×3 m) on level land, 10 x 13 ft (3×4 m) on slopes.
The Fig is being grown as tree (260-435 vegetation in keeping with acre); alternatively result of early trials at National Agriculture Research Centre (NARC) Islamabad have proven that it can be grown as a low peak plant in top density plantation as prime as strawberry or cotton; in rows (row to row 2 feet and plant to plant 1 toes; 21780 vegetation per acre) Figure 1. Every 12 months after leaf fall (December-January) before spring sprouting if plantation is severly pruned like Falsa (Grewia asiatica L.) leaving three-6 inch of stem from flooring degree; one can get 60,000 to 70,000 cuttings (of pruned wooden) from an acre for nursery planting. Fruiting commences in less than a 12 months. Over 5 tones of clean fruit consistent with acre may also be harvested as spring crop from the pruned vegetation annually.
Production, Import and Export
Total area underneath Figs in Pakistan is 162 ha with 741 tones of manufacturing (contemporary fruit). Pakistan is an importer of dry figs as the production is not enough to cater the desires of rising inhabitants. In 2007-08, Pakistan imported dry figs 217 tones value Rs. 4.5 million. Turkey, Iran and Afghanistan being the primary source of imported fig.
Varieties appropriate for prime density planting
Black Mission: Fruits all-over black pink, elongated, Flesh watermelon to crimson, quite excellent style. Easily dried at home. Single best possible all-round selection for south, north, coast, interior.
Brown Turkey: Medium, pores and skin is purplish brown, flesh pinkish amber. Good taste. Best when fresh. Small, hardy, energetic tree.
Value-added Products
Figs may also be eaten contemporary or dried, used in jam-making and pickling. Most business production is in dried or differently processed, for the reason that ripe fruit does no longer transport neatly, and once picked does no longer keep neatly. Food products containing figs come with fig paste, fig listen, fig powder, fig nuggets and diced and sliced figs. The natural flavor of figs will also be preserved in fig jam, preserves and paste. To make fig pay attention, which replaces sucrose and corn syrup, the water is extracted from the figs. Chopped, diced and sliced figs are incorporated into meals merchandise. When dried, figs are added to cookies, bars and snacks. Besides top of the range figs for recent intake, a small selection of figs are canned.
The dried seeds in figs comprise oil this is 30 percent fatty acids. This fit for human consumption oil can be utilized as a lubricant. The herbal humectants in figs make them a really useful ingredient in such health and beauty merchandise as soap, moisturizers, fragrance and candles.
After the fruit harvest, fig leaves are plucked and used for fodder in India. In southern France, fig leaves are used as a source of perfume subject matter; the leaves create a woody-mossy scent.
Nutritional Value
Figs are probably the most perfect plant resources of calcium and fiber. According to USDA knowledge for the Mission selection, dried figs are richest in fiber, copper, manganese, magnesium, potassium, calcium, and vitamin K, relative to human needs. They have smaller quantities of many different vitamins. Figs have a laxative effect and include many antioxidants. They are good supply of flavonoids and polyphenols. In one study, a 40-gram portion of dried figs (two medium measurement figs) produced a significant build up in plasma antioxidant capacity.
Eight ounces of figs provide 30 p.c of the really helpful day by day fiber. Figs are prime in potassium and manganese. They provide 6 % of the day-to-day worth of nutrition A, 9 percent of B1, 13 p.c of B6, 10 p.c of vitamin E and 13 p.c of vitamin K. Because figs comprise oxalates, they aren’t recommended in large amounts for people with kidney or gallbladder problems. Figs are recognized to advertise bone density, because they are high in calcium. Fig leaves decrease insulin levels and decrease levels of triglycerides.
There is a bankruptcy within the Qur’an named after the fig tree, and the fruit is also mentioned in Qur’an in lots of puts. The Qur’an discussed figs and then the Prophet Muhammad [s] mentioned, “If I needed to point out a fruit that descended from paradise, i’d say this is it for the reason that paradisiacal fruits wouldn’t have pits…devour from these culmination for they prevent hemorrhoids, prevent piles and assist gout.
