Effects of caprifig disinfection on Aspergillus transmission, wasp survival and fig quality

Abstract Aspergillus flavus is a major contaminant of figs, producing aflatoxins that pose serious risks to human health and reduce fruit quality. This study investigated the role of caprifig disinfection in controlling fungal transmission to edible figs ( Ficus carica cv. Sabz) and assessed its effect on pollinating wasps ( Blastophaga psenes L.) and fruit attributes. A factorial experiment was conducted using three caprifig cultivars (Pouzdonbali, Daneh-Sefid, and Koohi) under five treatments: (i) uninoculated and disinfected with mancozeb, (ii) uninoculated and without disinfection, (iii) inoculated with A. flavus and disinfected, (iv) inoculated but not disinfected, and (v) Control (Neither injecting nor water spraying). The results showed that figs inoculated with A. flavus without disinfection exhibited the highest levels of pulp and skin contamination, accompanied by reduced wasp survival and increased syconium abscission. Mancozeb disinfection reduced pulp fungal contamination, increased female wasp survival, and decreased syconia abscission by 21.1, 36.9 and 21.05% compared with the non-disinfected treatment, respectively. The Daneh-Sefid caprifig positively influenced fruit size and skin color, thereby enhancing marketability. Overall, these findings indicate that targeted fungicide application on caprifig syconia can partially suppress A. flavus contamination while maintaining pollination efficiency and fruit quality. However, further studies are required to evaluate the feasibility of wasp-transmissible biocontrol agents as an alternative management strategy.