Dried Figs: hot weather disrupts pollination

Mundus Agri: With pollination complete throughout Fars province in Iran dried fig manufacturers are preparing for the arrival of the new crop. Untimely hot weather has, however, caused some disruptions.

Pollination complete

The issue is that a sudden rise in temperatures prompted caprification, which started in mid-May, to continue until late June. Suppliers state that this will have an impact on quality. Growers also need to be careful in selecting the right type of pollen as this also affects the quantity and quality of production.

First figures have emerged in several counties, where procedures differ. Growers in Neyriz, for instance, rely on Blastophaga wasps to pollinate the fruits and are careful to select suitable pollen. Different standards also apply depending on the age of the trees. The best time to pollinate fig fruits is when they reach a diameter of 9-13 mm. Fruits should also not be yellow or overripe. Reports state that more than 5,000 ha of rainfed figs have been pollinated here. Neyriz mainly produces green figs, which are destined for the export market.

Jahrom and Kharameh county produce less figs. Although pollination has been completed on 800 ha in Jahrom, only 570 ha are fertile. Most figs grown here are white and growers rely on the male caprifig tree for pollination. Production is estimated at 800 mt. Kharameh may hold 1,230 ha of fig trees, but pollination is limited to the 700 ha, which are fertile. Suppliers emphasise how important it is to create conversion and complementary industries for agricultural products to increase the added value. As manufacturers are selling remaining supplies to make room for the new crop prices have slumped in recent weeks.

Source:https://www.mundus-agri.eu/news/dried-figs-hot-weather-disrupts-pollination.n29020.html