Fertiliser Recommendations for Horticultural Crops
Figs

Figs (Ficus carica) can produce good crops even under fairly low fertility levels. Soil cultivation should be only superficial otherwise feeding roots will be damaged. Trees are very sensitive to dry soil conditions and regular supplies of water are necessary. Good growth and cropping can be encouraged by mulching about a metre beyond the dripline.

PLANT ANALYSIS
Samples for leaf analysis should be collected in February, and consist of leaves from non-fruiting spurs on spur-bearing trees. Interpretive standards for nutrient concentrations are listed in Table 1.

Table 1: Standard concentrations for foliar analysis of figs.
Element Deficient Optimum Excess
Macronutrients (%)
Nitrogen
Phosphorus
Potassium
Calcium

Micronutrients (ppm)
Boron


< 1.7
-
< 0.7
-


< 15


2.0-2.5
-
1.0
3.0


50-100


-
-
-
-


> 300

FERTILISER RECOMMENDATIONS
Nitrogen is often the only element that is required but for young trees 100 g of a balanced 6:6:5 NPK fertiliser should be applied every couple of months during the growing season. Applications should be increased so that mature cropping trees, 4-5 m high, are supplied with 7-10 kg of the mixture in late winter/early spring.

FURTHER READING
Baxter, P. (1981). The Fig - Varieties and Culture. Agnote Agdex 218/11, Department of Agriculture, Victoria, Australia.

van Zyl, E.J. (1974). Fig Cultivation. Information Bulletin No. 211, Fruit and Food Technology Research Institute, Stellenbosch, South Africa.

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