Evaluation of the Characteristics of Native Wild Himalayan Fig (Ficus palmata Forsk.) from Pakistan as a Potential Species for Sustainable Fruit Production

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The manuscript titled “Wild Himalayan Fig (Ficus palmata Forsk.) from Pakistan as a Potential Species for Sustainable Fruit Production” reports the  assessment of the variability of 35 wild fig accessions using quantitative and qualitative traits. The research work could be of great value regarding domestication of local wild accessions fig species. Therefore, I recommend this paper for publication. However, following minor errors should be corrected before its publication.

Abstract

Please mention types of statistical analysis done. Mention results regarding PCA and correlation in abstract.

Material and Method

What days to maturity means? Is that about fruit maturity or maturity of plant to bear fruits for the first time?

Result

• It is suggested to include biplot (variable and individual).

Discussion

Discuss each result with specific citation. Some general information can be removed from Discussion section.

References

Please cross check the references in the text and reference list. Please ensure the reference format according to journal style.

General Remarks

Proof reading of the whole paper is suggested to improve its presentation.

Author Response

Reviewer 1

We thank reviewer #1 for his critical comments. We found all of anonymous reviewer #1's comments to be of great value and carefully considered all of reviewer #1's comments and questions.

1. The manuscript titled “Wild Himalayan Fig (Ficus palmata) from Pakistan as a Potential Species for Sustainable Fruit Production” reports the assessment of the variability of 35 wild fig accessions using quantitative and qualitative traits. The research work could be of great value regarding domestication of local wild accessions fig species. Therefore, I recommend this paper for publication. However, following minor errors should be corrected before its publication.

Thank you for your recommendations and suggestions.

2. Abstract: Please mention types of statistical analysis done. Mention results regarding PCA and correlation in abstract.

The abstract has been improved and all necessary information has been incorporated (highlighted in blue).

3. Material and Method: What days to maturity means? Is that about fruit maturity or maturity of plant to bear fruits for the first time?

Days to maturity means maturity of fruits of the current year calculated from the time of fruit set to the time of fruit maturity. The required information has been included (highlighted in red).

4. Result: It is suggested to include biplot (variable and individual).

Fig. 2 shows the distribution of 35 fig accessions as a biplot.

5. Discussion: Discuss each result with specific citation. Some general information can be removed from Discussion section.

The results were discussed using available citations to diversity studies on figs and other related plants.

6. References: Please cross check the references in the text and reference list. Please ensure the reference format according to journal style.

All references were checked and formatted according to the journal style.

7. General Remarks: Proof reading of the whole paper is suggested to improve its presentation.

The paper was proofread by a native English speaker and corrections were made.

Reviewer 2 Report

The manuscript titled “Wild Himalayan Fig (Ficus palmata Forsk.) from Pakistan as a Potential Species for Sustainable Fruit Production” attempts to assess the variability of 35 wild fig accessions using quantitative and qualitative 20 traits. Such characterization studies are critical for preserving biodiversity and ensuring the long-term suitability of the fruit in question. The paper is well-structured and written. The findings are clearly explained, and the conclusions are accurate and based on the study's findings. However, some revisions are still required. While revising this paper, the authors should keep the following points in mind:

The title of the manuscript does not accurately reflect the content of the research. Please revise it in light of the scientific nature of your article.

In the introduction section, the authors have discussed the significance of fig fruit in terms of its health benefits, cultivars, threats to its genetic diversity, and current uses in Kashmir and other parts of the country. However, authors should expand a little on the fruit's economic potential in terms of exports. Please include how much of this fruit is produced and consumed in the country, if possible. Furthermore, provide a global comparison of these economic indicators.

Secondly, while the innovation of the study is stated in the abstract and the later part of the manuscript, it is not stated in this section. Please clearly state the research gap and innovation of your study.

The authors describe how they measured different traits of wild figs in the methods section. However, m ethods for measuring some of the traits described in the results are lacking. For example, how did the authors calculate 'days to maturity' if only wild fig leaves were collected?

While the results are thoroughly explained, they are not compared to other studies (in other countries). Please compare some of the wild fig traits to similar (or even different) cultivars found in other countries.

In the conclusions section, please describe the limitations of your research.

Author Response

Reviewer 2

We thank reviewer #2 for his critical comments. We found all of anonymous reviewer #2's comments to be of great value and carefully considered all of reviewer #2's comments and questions.

1. The manuscript titled “Wild Himalayan Fig (Ficus palmata Forsk.)from Pakistan as a Potential Species for Sustainable Fruit Production” attempts to assess the variability of 35 wild fig accessions using quantitative and qualitative 20 traits. Such characterization studies are critical for preserving biodiversity and ensuring the long-term suitability of the fruit in question. The paper is well-structured and written. The findings are clearly explained, and the conclusions are accurate and based on the study's findings. However, some revisions are still required. While revising this paper, the authors should keep the following points in mind:

Thank you for your recommendations and suggestions.

2. The title of the manuscript does not accurately reflect the content of the research. Please revise it in light of the scientific nature of your article.

We have changed the title at your suggestion to reflect the content of the research, and the new title is: “Evaluation of the Characteristics of the Native Wild Himalayan Fig (Ficus palmata Forsk.) from Pakistan as a Potential Species for Sustainable Fruit Production” (highlighted in red).

3. In the introduction section, the authors have discussed the significance of fig fruit in terms of its health benefits, cultivars, threats to its genetic diversity, and current uses in Kashmir and other parts of the country. However, authors should expand a little on the fruit's economic potential in terms of exports. Please include how much of this fruit is produced and consumed in the country, if possible. Furthermore, provide a global comparison of these economic indicators. Secondly, while the innovation of the study is stated in the abstract and the later part of the manuscript, it is not stated in this section. Please clearly state the research gap and innovation of your study.

Information on the production of figs in Pakistan has been included as suggested (highlighted in green). The required information has been included as suggested (highlighted in green).

4. The authors describe how they measured different traits of wild figs in the methods section. However, methods for measuring some of the traits described in the results are lacking. For example, how did the authors calculate 'days to maturity' if only wild fig leaves were collected?

Days to maturity means maturity of fruits of the current year calculated from the time of fruit set to the time of fruit maturity (highlighted in red).

5. While the results are thoroughly explained, they are not compared to other studies (in other countries). Please compare some of the wild fig traits to similar (or even different) cultivars found in other countries.

All the results were discussed based on the available literature on diversity studies of figs and other related plants.

6. In the conclusions section, please describe the limitations of your research.

We have described the limitations of our research in the conclusion of our manuscript as suggested (highlighted in green).