Applications of Ficus carica L.: Botanical Studies, Biodiversity Assessment, and Bioactive Compounds

Dear Colleagues,

Managing and restoring marginal lands by introducing "new crops" is one of the key actions to counter climate change and desertification. Land restoration is at the heart of a sustainable bioeconomy, helping to increase food production and restore soil fertility. Fig plant can be a viable choice because of its great adaptability to drought and summer heat, responding positively to climate demands dictated by global warming. Its resistance to salinity and active calcium allows it to grow on ruderal or marginal soils, be used for sustainable agriculture and exploit marginal or semi-arid areas. In addition, fig fruits have high nutritional value, being a source of bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, minerals and vitamins. Many of these molecules have potential beneficial properties for human health, so they are used in traditional and modern medicine. One of the main advantages of Ficus carica is that it produces fruits that are important sources of nutrition and energy; it is also easy to grow and available not only during the fruiting season, but also throughout the year due to its preservation through drying. 

The purpose of this Special Issue is to investigate topics ranging from its reproductive biology to the cultivation of the plant to fruit preservation, with a particular focus on:

• the genetic biodiversity of naturally grown and modern accessions for germplasm conservation and breeding programs; 
• the plant's response to adverse climatic conditions such as drought and salinity;
• the presence of secondary products useful for human health and for the production of fortified foods.

All the studies, we hope, will allow us to define the fig as a "plant for the future."

Dr. Cristiana Giordano
Dr. Raffaella Petruccelli
Dr. Tommaso Ganino
Dr. Margherita Rodolfi
Guest Editors

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