Selection studies on fig (Ficus carica L.) in Antalya Province of Turkey

Turkey is one of the gene centers of fig in the world and there are great variations and distributions in wild fig forms as well as fig cultivars. The primary objective of this study is to select valuable fig genetic resources in Ibradi and Kumluca (Antalya) province and to conserve the promising figs genetic resources. Populations consisting of native fig genotypes were selected and chracterized in terms of pomological and morphological traits. The data revealed that some of the fruit and leaf characteristics of the investigated fig types were significantly different in terms of location and fig types. Consequently, it is suggested that these promising fig genetic resources could be used for further breeding programs and therefore they need to be preserved.   Key words: Ficus carica L., genetic resources, fruit characteristics, leaf characteristics.