Order: Urticales

Family: Moracae

Genus: Ficus

Species: Ficus carica

The homeland of the fig is Turkey, from where it spread to Syria, Palestine and then to China and India via the Middle East. The fact that the fig is a fruit that requires special fertilization and drying conditions makes the regions where it grows limited. Although fig is a subtropical fruit, it is grown commercially in the entire coastal belt of our country due to its wide ecological adaptability. It needs warm and dry conditions in summers and warm in winters. It grows in places where the annual average temperature is 18-20⁰C. In the months of May-October, from fruiting to the end of harvest, higher average temperatures are required, and average temperatures of up to 30⁰C are required, especially during fruit maturity and drying.

Harvest of Ficus carica

Harvesting is done by hand, the fig is grasped with the palm of the hand in a way that does not cause crushing, and it is plucked by turning and pulling. Buckets or flat containers should be used in order not to damage and crush the plucked fruits. The product should be collected early in the morning, in the cool period of the day, away from the sun and heat. It is necessary to use scissors for the fruit to be harvested early. As with every fruit, it must be put into the cold chain as soon as possible after harvest in order to extend its storage life.

Optimun storage conditions for storing Ficus carica in cold stores

Figs can be stored for 1-2 weeks at 0^oC 90-95% humidity. Figs that are planned to be stored for a long time should be harvested relatively earlier and must be harvested with scissors and the fruit stalk should be harvested at the storage term required length.

In general, one of the most important factors in terms of storability in fruit species is the sugar content of the fruit. The same as the more high sugar content in fig is a feature that accelerates fermentation. Therefore, it is possible to say that even in different sweeter varieties of the same fig, the storage times are shortened inversely. Apart from that, even in species suitable for long-term storage, harvest time is very important for similar reasons. The harvest time of the harvested fruits should be done neither before nor after this time, and on the right days as it should be. This situation is associated with the amount of solid matter and sugar taken from the tree before harvest in order to extend the storage period of the fruit.

Coldstores should be designed smaller than other fruit stores in order to control the air circulation in the room - to ensure the homogeneity of the room temperature.

Controlled Atmosphere storage of Bursa Black Fig - ficus carica

In cooldstores with controlled atmosphere system, the storage period is extended to 6 weeks at 0^oC, 90-95% humidity, 3-5 % O2, 12-15 % CO2 values. Small rooms and controlled atmosphere pallet systems - PalletCAPs are used for the storage of figs.

*Black Mission' 'Calimyrna' species can be stored in normal atmosphere for 1-2 weeks, while these species can be stored in controlled atmosphere for 3-4 weeks.

Harvest time should be adjusted according to the targeted storage length.

Our Controlled Atmosphere System Equipments for Red Currant Storage    

 - PalletCAP
 
 - Controlled Atmosphere automation

 - Oxygen Scrubber

 - Carbon Dioxide Scrubber


The OXYCAT team offers turnkey professional CA equipment and automation with all kinds of consulting, design, engineering and service services for your CA system, suitable for your needs and business structure. 

Please contact if you have any questions and requests regarding our CA systems.