Breeding report of a new fig variety Zizuan with purple flesh and good quality

Zizuan is a new fig (Ficus carica L.) variety selected by Horticulture Institute of Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences. It was selected from a bud sport of purple fruit in 2008 in Nanning. It was then propagated through grafting and cuttings for evaluation. Regional trials were conducted in Guangxi and Hainan, where it exhibited consistent growth, fruit color, maturity, soluble solid content, plant vigor, leaf shape, and high yield. The tree had a moderate growth habit with an upright semispreading canopy. The main stem branches were grayish brown with large round pores and a knobby appearance. The apical bud was long-triangular in shape and orange in color with moderate size and raised dormant buds. The leaves were green with five lobes; the top lobe was narrow diamond- shaped with secondary notches while the base was heart-shaped with hair on the underside. The fruit was spherical with powdery coating, purple skin, red skin at the fruit stem, closed fruit eye, pink to purple flesh. The average fruit weight was 55.7 g. Ripe fruits had short stems, prominent veins, small dots, and extremely small cavity. The soluble solid content was 20%-24%. The acidity ranged from 0.06% to 0.08%. The fruits could be stored for 2-3 days under room temperature. It was highly resistant to diseases. It was granted patent of new plant variety in 2023. Zizuan would be cultivated in southern regions of the Yangtze River in China, including Guangxi, Guangdong, and Hainan. Rain shelter facilities would be recommended for its cultivation. The spacing for planting would be 3 m × 2 m. Open center tree form should be adopted.