Evaluation of Morphological Characteristics in some Fig (Ficus carica L.) Genotypes

Identification and collection of germplasm of each crop is the first step in breeding programs and introducing adapted cultivars in each region. This study was carried out to characterized and register thirteen fig and caprifig genotypes in Fars, Markazi, Lorestan and Kermanshah provinces during 2009 to 2010. Fifty four morphological characters were evaluated based on National Distinction Tests Guidelines of Uniformity and stability of fig genotypes. Based on the results of the data cluster analysis and considering of the 50% similarities, studied fig genotypes were classified into five groups. In this classification, the highest similarity was between Sabz and Rono and the lowest between Sabz and Siah-e-Dorosht genotypes. The results also showed that 27 evaluated characters had the ability for separating the desirable genotypes, and key characters were determined for identification of each genotype. Practical cases of these results are the use of morphological characters for separation of complex cultivars in orchards and collections, introduction of key characters of each genotypes for easy and quick diagnosis, selection of parents for crosses in breeding programs and molecular identification facilitating.