Breeding figs for different traits.

[Rob]

There is always talk of what is the best breeding stock, and with caprifigs being very different from each other as we see in my caprifig spreadsheet, it is something we really need to test, and sooner, rather than later.
I was asked very recently about the early-late caprifigs I know of here, and if the traits from the early-late caprifigs could be passed on in breeding....great question, right? It seemed logical at first that it could be possible, but with this, there are no documented studies I have seen, so I asked Finn Kjellberg in France, and had a great reply yesterday. He is also not aware of any studies, but he did bring the micro climate aspect to my attention, and is is a great point that so many people miss.
Most of the caprifig trees in my spreadsheet are in the south of Adelaide, but certainly not all are in the same micro climate, and with wasps, just because one tree wakes earlier than another one, doesn't necessarily mean the wasps will be out earlier, it could be cloudier there in the later phase of wasp growth, slowing wasps down, even though the tree itself generally wakes up earlier than others. If your climate is totally different to the mother tree, your tree may be 2 weeks ahead or behind the mother tree? There are many variables that people seem to miss, or dismiss, but they are very real.
That said, Finn did mention that the waking up of a tree, early or later than other fig varieties in the same climate, is 'somewhat heritable', (no published data).

[arfabuck]

There are quite a few papers online regarding fig breeding, all relating to the gene sequence for rapid multiplication.
By having the DNA of each variety, by knocking off particular genes, - say late fruiting or skin colour etc science is now rapidly selecting for improved varieties.
The traditional way that we are used to by pollinating by hand and then waiting to see what develops ,- 5 - 15 years? has been superceeded by lab technology that has results within the year.
There will always be a part for us traditionalists to play, however corporate structures always travel the fast lane.
https://ishs.org/ishs-article/1173_1/

[LoPresti]

Interesting never even thought about that. But I do know that most all the trees I’ve seen people grew from seed from good figs end up being really good figs. My first one I planted 6 years ago from a farmers market buy is amazing too. The Gods Gift fig(my first fig shown in the photos) is also amazing and I’m pretty sure it’s common. We see a lot of wild figs here being found that are common too. Angelito, Boysenberry Blush, Cherry Cordial etc…