Abstract:
The main aim of the research was to evaluate some fruit quality characteristics and phytochemical compounds of 16 selected genotypes and one commercial (cv. 'Bursa Siyah & imath;') fig (Ficus carica L.) cultivar. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in fig genotypes concerning fruit quality traits. In terms of fruit weight, F-1, F-2, F-7, F-12, F-15, and F-16; in terms of fruit width, the F-2; in terms of fruit shape index, the F-6 genotype was found to be at a similar level with the commercial cultivar. However, F-8, F-12, F-13, F-14, and F-15 in fruit length; F-6 and F-12 in neck length; F-3, F-4, F-6, F-10, F-11, F-12, F-13, and F-14 in ostiole width; F-2, F-4, F-7, F-10, F-11, F-13, and F-14 in soluble solids content (SSC); and in terms of titratable acidity (TA), higher values were obtained in F-2, F-4, F-5, and F-6 genotypes compared to the commercial fig cultivar (cv. 'Bursa Siyah & imath;'). Similarly, significant differences were detected between genotypes in terms of bioactive compounds. Total phenolics in F6, F-10, and F-11 genotypes; total flavonoids in F-6, F-9, and F-14 genotypes; FRAP antioxidant activity in F-9 genotype; DPPH antioxidant activity was higher in F-1, F-2, F-5, F-6, F-9, F-11, F-14, and F-15 genotypes compared to the commercial fig cultivar. The principal component analysis exposed that the first five main components contributed 32.3%, 25.3%, 12.6%, 10.2%, and 8.4% of the total variation, respectively, with a cumulative rate of 88.7%. F-1, F-7, F-6, and F-16 genotypes, along with the 'Bursa Siyah & imath;' cultivar, were grouped, and the closest similarity to the commercial cultivar was observed in the F-7 genotype.