Introduction
Figs are among the earliest domesticated fruit trees, with their cultivation in Turkey predating many other crops. Historical evidence suggests that figs were one of the first plants subjected to  selection technique for breeding. Researchers agree that genetic diversity within a population is crucial for successful breeding programs. The first step in any breeding initiative is to identify and evaluate the existing accessions in a region and assess their potential. In many regions of Iran, wild fig trees grow ferally. While studies on wild figs in Iran have predominantly focused on the Fars province, no detailed reports exist regarding the fig populations in the southern regions of Khorasan-e-Razavi, a natural fig habitats. This study aims to evaluate the morphological characteristics of caprifigs found in these regions.
Materials and Methods
This study conducted a morphological evaluation of 10 fig accessions from southern Khorasan-e-Razavi, comparing them with two commercial cultivars from Estahban, Fars. Sampling locations covered a wide area, from the southernmost village of Gonabad to Bardskan. Morphological characteristics were assessed using the IPGRI international descriptor and the national guidelines for differentiation, uniformity, and stability tests for figs (Institute of Registration and Certification of Seeds and Seedlings of Iran). To this end, leaf vegetative traits and specific fig characteristics were measured in late spring and mid-summer. A nested design with three replications was used, with data derived from five samples per replication. Data analysis employed SAS version 9.4 for cluster analysis (UPGMA algorithm based on Euclidean morphological distance), as well as NTSYS version 2.0.1.5 for cluster visualization.
Results and Discussion
Significant differences were observed in the morphological characteristics of the studied fig accessions. Principle component analysis (PCA) of quantitative traits revealed nine factors with eigenvalues greater than one. The first three factors accounted for over 92% of the total variation. Similarly, PCA of qualitative traits identified 12 factors with eigenvalue greater than one, with the first six factors explaining more than 93% of the variation. Cluster analysis grouped the accessions into three distinct clusters. The first cluster contained the Branjirs from Estahban Fars. The second cluster comprised only the Pechek and Bejestan accessions, while the remaining accessions formed the third cluster.
Conclusion
Characterization and collection of germplasm are critical stages in fruit tree breeding programs. Iran, recognized as a significant center of plant genetic resources and a primary origin of figs, offers diverse fig populations. This study highlights the extraordinary diversity of caprifigs in southern Khorasan-e-Razavi. Given the observed diversity, further evaluation of these accessions from molecular and biochemical perspectives is recommended.