PRELIMINARY POMOLOGICAL AND BI OCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZA TION OF FIG (Ficus CaricaL) GERMPLASM COLLECTED IN HERZEGOVINA

Inventory and sampling of 24 fig accessions were conducted in the region of Trebinje and Mostar during 2013. The trees were found in the gardens, boundaries as well as in derelict areas. The following characters of riped fruits were determined: the mass and fruit size, soluble solids content, total phenols content and antioxidant activity. The average fruit mass ranged from smallest fruit accession Zimica (29.08 g) to the biggest Mostarska (72.85 g). The biggest average fruit length was recorded in the variety Butunka (70.55 mm) and the smallest in Termenjaca (37.02 mm). The highest average fruit width measured at variety Mostarka (55.83 mm) and the lowest at Zimica (37,01 mm). Soluble solids content ranged from 11.27% Brix in the acc. Vodenjaca to 26.4% Brix in the acc. Zimica. The highest total phenol compounds were found in acc. Crnica (536.44 mg GAE / 100 g fresh fruit), which in addition to the acc. Zlatulja (39.01 mg of fresh fruits/mL) showed the best antioxidant activity (EC50: 40.45 mg of fresh fruits/mL). Initial characterization of the tested fig accessions showed significant genotypic diversity. It is necessary to perform further detailed research on characterization and evaluation to assist in the preservation of the existing diversity to prevent the disappearance of the existing gene pool of fig.