The 2009 ASHS Annual Conference

Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture , Akdeniz University, 07070-Antalya, Turkey          

Abstract

Turkey is situated at the crossroads where three continents, Asia, Europe and Africa, are closest to each other, and it is surrounded by sea on three sides. Thus, throughout history, it has been one of the important centers of civilization, agriculture, transport and trade. Due to its climatic conditions and location, almost all temperate and sub-tropical horticultural crops can be grown in Anatolia.

Vegetable growing is one of the most important activities in agriculture and horticulture. The total vegetable production is nearly 30 million tons and the production area is approximately 1.2 million ha. Under cover vegetable growing is a traditional production system in Turkey, especially in the Meditarrenan coastal region. It is estimated that 3.7 million metric tons of vegetables are from the protected cultivation. Crop production under cover cultivation has increased significantly over the last two decades and the total area of protected cultivation is now over 53 thousand hectares. Majority of the greenhouses (80%) are covered with plastic films, and the remmning 20% with glass. Tomato comes the first line with 47 % in total greenhouse production.  Cucumber, pepper and eggplant follow tomato  with the percentages of  32, % 9 and 7 respectively. izlemektedir. The rest are green bean, lettuce, melon, squash with the percentage of 5.

Current production levels are satisfactory for domestic consumptian, despite same disequilibrium between seasons, regions and crops. Increase and development in vegetable production should be considered in parallel to improvements in factors affecting export.