Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
5th International Cherry Symposium, Bursa, Türkiye, 6 - 10 Haziran 2005, ss.441-449
Quite an important development in sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) production and export occurred during the last decade in Turkey. In this development an old but suitable for export variety, '0900 Ziraat', played the main role. When the high value of this variety from an export standpoint was understood and led to an increased demand from the European markets, the Turkish cherry growers began to pay more attention to modernization of production. Eventually, the area planted to sweet cherry increased, resulting in increased production and export. In new orchards, dwarfing and semi-dwarfing rootstocks such as 'Gisela (R) 5, 'Gisela (R) 6', 'MaxMa', 'SL 64', etc. are being used, therefore promoting earlier and increasing production. In old orchards, pruning became one of the main cultural practices. Farmers are aware of importance of "zero tolerance" for fruit worms as well as pesticide residues. Postharvest procedures are being applied well. Sweet cherry harvest starts in May, continues through June and finishes at the end of July in different growing regions. Several research programs are being executed at various universities and research institutes of the Ministry of Agriculture, including selection of better '0900 Ziraat' clones or similar genotypes with self-fertility, as well as rootstock-scion relationships with '0900 Ziraat'. By looking at the current situations, one can say that Turkish sweet cherry production and export are growing in a progressive way.