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Caprifig is a valuable candidate for fig breeding programs as it typically grows naturally under nonoptimal conditions. The present study was carried out to evaluate the biochemical/morphological characteristics of 18 caprifig cultivars indigenous to the Darab region/southern Iran with 4 replications in a completely randomized block design. From each cultivar, healthy uniform leaf samples and spring fruits were taken and analyzed. Our results showed that 'Naneghasem' had the highest leaf atocopherol and polyphenol concentration. The highest leaf ascorbic acid concentration was obtained from the Gol Khengi cultivar (17.03 µg g1 fresh weight). Also, the contents of chlorophyll, carotenoids, and anthocyanins were significantly different among the studied cultivars. Various cultivars had different absorption potentials for essential elements as macro and micronutrients concentration in the leaves were statistically different in various caprifigs; 'Naneghasem' had the highest Ca (4.46 mg g1 dry weight) and Fe (67.71 mg kg1 dry weight) concentration and the highest leaf K concentration (22.46 mg g1 dry weight) was observed in 'Mahali Layzengan'. In conclusion, 'Naneghasem' was evaluated as a cultivar which seems to be more morphologicallyand biochemicallydistant from other studied caprifig varieties and probably more adaptable/tolerant to environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

'Piyarom' dates are one of the most important commercial date cultivars grown in Iran but fruit quality and postharvest losses can be a problem. Thinning and the use of bunch covers were examined to improve the date fruit quality. Three different levels of fruit thinning were applied (without thinning, removal of one third of total strands from terminal tips during pollination and removal of one third of terminal tips of central strands in early kimri). In addition, the effects of bunch covers were assessed with the use of polyethylene bunch covers that were applied in the early stages of Khalal. The results showed that bunch covering reduced the lightness of the fruit but increased bunch weight, fruit length, total antioxidant activity and total phenolic compounds compared to the control. Thinning during pollination increased the weight of the fruit compared to the control. The thinning during Kimri stage increased the percentage of Tamar and ascorbic acid content. These results show that the use of covers play a positive role in increasing quality and bunch weight and thinning at both pollination and Kimri ripening stage is recommended to produce high quality 'Piyarom' dates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]