Chronica - Acta Horticulturae

Black Sea Agricultural Research
Institute in Turkey
Semiha Güler
Map of Turkey.
Karadeniz Tarimsal Arastirma Enstitüsü
(KTAE) is one of the Turkish Agricultural
Research Institutes. Founded in 1944 under the
name of “Samsun Seed Breeding Station,” the
institute joined with “Regional Plant Protection
Research Institute of Samsun”, and was reorganised
under the name of “Black Sea
Agricultural Research Institute” in 1987, with
revised responsibilities. The Institute has a total
116 ha land area of which 92 ha is used for
research and production purposes. Research
responsibilities area of the institute consists of
all coastline provinces from Zonguldak to
Artvin. The area also includes Kastamonu,
Amasya, and Tokat Provinces situated in the
Central Transition Region.
The Institute aims to produce alternative agricultural
technologies appropriate for farmers.
Various studies have been conducted at both
the station farm and different parts of the
region. The polyculture system in the region
necessitates studies on several crops. The
Institute has collaborative studies with some
international research institutes such as
CIMMYT (International Maize and Wheat
Improvement Center), ICARDA (International
Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry
Areas), CIAT (International Center for Tropical
Agriculture) etc. The Institute carries out its
researches under five departments: Plant
Breeding and Genetics; Agronomy;
Horticulture; Plant Protection; Economics and
Farming. Breeding studies have been carried
out in many crops including wheat, maize, rice,
drybeans, chickpea, soya bean, canola, fresh
bean, cabbage, red pepper, apple and persimmon.
The Horticultural Department of KTAE performs
its studies under three divisions: fruit crops,
vegetable crops, and floriculture.
FRUIT CROPS
KTAE is responsible for the Black Sea Region of
Turkey; one of the most important fruit gene
centers. Research studies have been conducted
with all fruit species grown in the region including
apple, peach, plum, and persimmon. The
key fruit breeding studies include apple, persimmon,
and cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus).
The first fruit breeding study was initiated
in 1997 with clonal selection in ‘Amasya’ apple,
which is the most preferred and widest grown
cultivar both by consumers and producers due
to its good taste and long shelf life. However,
production of this cultivar has decreased in
recent years due to reduced grower interest
due to alternate bearing. With the support of
Amasya Province Governship clonal selection
was launched in 1997. From 51 types of clonal
selections from Amasya, Tokat and Samsun provinces
seven were found with no alternate
bearing. Fruit breeding studies are also carried
out with persimmon (Diospyros kaki), cherry
laurel and strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo).
These studies cover characterisation and preservation
of types collected from the Black Sea
Region and different parts of Turkey. The
Institute is the coordinator of National
Persimmon Studies. Studies on genetic preser-
New cultivars from the Black Sea
Agricultural Research Institute.
vation and characterization of strawberry tree
(Arbutus unedo, A. andrachne L.) will be initia-
CHRONICA HORTICULTURAE •VOL 47 • NUMBER 3 • 2007 • 29