Response of various ripening agents for accelerated ripening and commercial quality in 'Sabz' fig fruit

Abstract The natural ripening of "Sabz" fig fruit on the tree is a common practice. However, because figs ripen sequentially from the bottom to the top of the branch, the process is uneven and asynchronous. This study aimed to identify suitable ripening agents (NaCl (3%), humic acid (15 mg L⁻ 1 ), ABA (2.5 mM), acetic acid (4%), epibrassinolide (400 mM), and ethephon (500 mg L⁻ 1 )) as well as the optimal spraying time to hasten ripening biochemical and qualitative changes in figs. The experiment was conducted in a fig orchard located in Mahur Dasht-yafth Agro-Industry Company, Khorram Abad, Lorestan, Iran in 2024–25. The results showed that the highest TSS:TA ratio and the largest fruit size percentage were observed in fig trees sprayed with 500 mg L⁻ 1 ethephon in mid-September. Fig trees treated with humic acid (15 mg L⁻ 1 ) in early September exhibited the highest DPPH scavenging activity. The highest percentage of early-ripe fruits (86.3%) was detected in fig trees sprayed with ethephon in early September. Additionally, fig trees treated with ethephon at both application times and acetic acid in early September had significantly lower late-ripe fruit percentages. The highest incidence of full fruit ostiole-end cracking occurred in fig trees treated with ABA in mid-September (24.63%). The lightest brown fruit color was observed in fig plants treated with 500 mg L⁻ 1 ethephon in mid-September. Regarding nutrient composition, the highest potassium concentration was found in figs treated with sodium chloride, phosphorus in those treated with epibrassinolide and calcium in those treated with humic acid in early September. Therefore, the exogenous application of 500 mg L⁻ 1 ethephon could be an effective strategy for hastening maturity while reducing fig waste.