Effect of Various Seed Parents on Frequency Distribution of Parthenocarpy among Seedling Progenies of Fig (Ficus carica L.).

Awamura, Mitsuo; Shoda, Koji; Yahata, Daijirou

doi:10.2503/jjshs.65.21

Cited by 6 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…Crane & Blondeau 1949). Vegetative parthenocarpy arises through a genetic mutation and can be transmitted to progeny through seed, as well as via vegetative propagation (Saleeb 1965;Storey 1975;Awamura et al 1996), although its frequency in wild populations is likely to be low (Kjellberg 2006, pers. comm.).…”

Section: The Common Figmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The results of controlled cross-breeding indicate that far from being a 'reproductive dead end', the mutant allele (P) representing the persistence of syconia without pollination can be inherited by progeny of caducous and persistent female figs when cross-bred with persistent caprifigs (e.g. Storey 1975: 580-81; also see Awamura et al 1996). Thus, the reproduction of persistent female figs, such as those noted prehistorically in the Lower Jordan Valley, is not dependent upon human intervention, but can occur as a result of cross-fertilisation as well as infrequent genetic mutation (Lev-Yadun et al 2006).…”

Section: Errors and Omissionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Early fig domestication, or gathering of wild parthenocarpic figs?

Denham¹

2007

Antiquity

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Kislev et al.'s (2006a) recent claims of fig cultivation and domestication dated to the second half of the twelfth millennium BP in the Lower Jordan valley are sensational. For some, these finds are extremely significant and represent 'the oldest evidence for deliberate planting of a food-producing plant, as opposed to just gathering food in the wild' (Peter Bellwood in Gibbons 2006). There are, however, good reasons why these claims should not be taken at face value. Kislev et al. (2006a) present evidence of human use of parthenocarpic female figs (Ficus carica var. domestica) from two archaeological sites, Gilgal I and Netiv Hagdud, occupied during the second half of the twelfth millennium BP. The archaeobotanical evidence from these sites is interpreted to represent incipient horticulture and fig domestication based on vegetative propagation, which, in turn, is inferred to have been a common and widespread practice throughout the Fertile Crescent at this time. In this short comment, inaccuracies with Kislev et al.'s understanding of fig reproduction are presented and shown to undermine their proffered interpretations. An alternative, more parsimonious scenario is offered to explain the disproportionate presence of apparently parthenocarpic fig syconia and drupelets at these two sites.

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Section: The Common Figmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Errors and Omissionsmentioning

confidence: 99%