ACTIVITIES OF THE FRUIT SECTION
Activities of the Fruit Section consist of the collection, conservation and characterization of fruit genetic resources, breeding activities and activities related to the breeding technique.
FRUIT GENETIC RESOURCES
Various survey and collection programs have been implemented around Turkey for the purpose of compiling an inventory of fruit tree genetic resources. These studies has been held since 1964. As a result of studies, over 3500 accessions of fruit-vineyard germplasm materials of pear, almond, plum, pomegranate, quince, sour cherry, chestnut, cherry, apricot, olive, walnut, hazelnut, pistachio nut, fig, grapes, mulberry, strawberry and citrus species were collected. The materials collections has been taken under conservation at 18 different research institutes under the coordination of the Aegean Agricultural Research Institute (AARI). AARI also has a primary responsibility of collection at almond, plum, pomegranate, quince, sour cherry, chestnut fruit tree species and responsible of safety duplication of peach and nectarine accessions. The field gene bank of the Institute currently holds over 1600 accessions of 11 fruit tree species.
BREEDING ACTIVITIES
As a result of the selection and breeding activities, 21 pomegranate, 3 quince, 11 greengage, 2 plum rootstock, 1 apricot, 2 almond and 11 sour cherry varieties have been improved and registered. Within the scope of the introduction of foreign cultivars, 16 European plum and 18 Japanese plum varieties have been registered.
Within the framework of breeding activities; 4 pomegranate cultivars, 4 almond cultivars, 2 quince cultivars, 2 mandarin cultivars, 1 citrus rootstock and 1 quince rootstock were registered in 2015. Five of these also have been under protection of breeders' rights.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Activities have been conducted – with some in progress – on such subjects as breeding techniques on relevant fruit varieties, tissue culture studies, fertilization biology and research into the eligibility of certain varieties for industrial processing.
Theoretical and practical training programs are organized to transfer the results of the research studies conducted to the technical staff and to producers.
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this section are to continue fruit genetic resources and variety improvement and rootstock breeding activities by using modern methods and thus, to be more effective in the conservation and breeding of fruit genetic resources and to continue work on breeding techniques and physiology.