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BackgroundThe common fig (Ficus carica L.) is a gynodioecious species with two sexual forms: male trees (caprifigs) with male and female flowers and female trees that produce only female flowers that will result in the edible fig syconium. In this study the genetic diversity of 20 Tunisian accessions of caprifig is analyzed using SSR markers previously developed for this crop.ResultsThe results revealed that the 13 pairs of primers used amplified a total of 37 alleles in the accessions studied. The number of alleles per locus ranged from two to six, with a mean value of 2.85 alleles per locus. Observed and expected heterozygosities showed mean values of 0.33 and 0.29 respectively. UPGMA cluster analysis and Principal Component Analysis grouped the caprifig accessions analyzed in three groups.ConclusionThe results obtained show a low genetic diversity in the Tunisian accessions of caprifig studied and, in spite of analyzing samples from different geographic regions, no clear groupings based on geographical origin are observed suggesting widespread exchange of caprifig plant material through vegetative propagation among different areas in Tunisia.

Résumé.-Une étude a été réalisée pour évaluer et identifier quatorze cultivars de figuier tunisien basée sur des caractères morphologiques, chimiques et les composés minéraux des fruits. Les résultats ont été soumis à une analyse de variance et des analyses multivariées afin d'évaluer la diversité entre les cultivars et les corrélations entre les caractères étudiés. Les cultivars sont identifiés sur la base de la couleur de la peau (Nemri, Bouholi, etc.), la forme des fruits (Boukhobza, Garghi, etc.) et le goût des fruits (Bouharrag, etc.). Une grande variabilité pour le poids et les dimensions des fruits a été observée entre les cultivars. Le fructose, le glucose, le potassium et le calcium sont les principaux sucres et minéraux dans les figues. Certains caractères morphologiques et chimiques montrent une grande diversité entre les cultivars. À l'issue de la présen-te étude, certains cultivars tunisiens sont particulièrement recommandés pour de futurs programmes de sélection et de culture.

This research was carried out in Southeast of Tunisia in 2009 and 2010, in order to study the propagation of six (Ficus carica L.) cultivars by using hardwood cuttings under the field conditions. The effect of the cultivars and the type of buds, shoots age, shoots length, and shoots diameter were recorded. Ten cuttings per cultivar and/or cutting types with three replications were planted in rooting unit. Percentage of root emergence and six morphological parameters of young fig plants were measured. Results showed that the responses of cuttings as fig nursery plants presented a high variability among the five cultivars. The most widely varied characters were % root emergence (RE) and cumulative growth of young plant (CG). The first one ranged from 10% to 90%, the second varied within 32 and 112 cm. Concerning the ‘‘BITHER” cultivar, 6 cutting types with different age, length, and diameter were evaluated. Results showed a great variation in % of root emergence (0–90%), length of nursery plant (3–77 cm), and number of roots/nursery plant (0–29 roots). The present research showed that the hardwood cutting of local fig cultivars can be propagated under field conditions in Southeast of Tunisia.