Comparison of Organic, Biodynamic and Conventional Fig Farms under Rain-fed Conditions in Turkey

Performance of organic, biodynamic and conventional fig farms under rainfed conditions was evaluated in a study which was carried out on the major drying fig variety, Sarilop (syn. Calimryna) that is located in Tire/Izmir the intensive fig-growing area in Turkey between 2001 and 2002. This study evaluates the soil properties, vegetative growth, leaf properties and fruit yield and quality characteristics as well as the water use efficiency calculated as photosynthesis/transpiration in fig trees grown as three farming systems (organic, biodynamic and conventional) to put forward the current and actual situation in fig production. The data were analyzed by using Minitab statistic program. At the end of the study, the questionnaires adapted to fig production indicated that many of the recommendation were adapted by the farmers. The obtained results showed that organic orchards have higher soil organic matter content and cation exchange capacity that effect leaf water use efficiency during the drought stress. There were no marked differences among the farm management systems in respect to analyzed fruit quality attributes.