Amount of Production ; country takes the first place in the world in cherry producing , its production reaches 500 thousand tons every year.As the US comes second by producing 300,000 tons and Iran comes third with 200,000 tons production. In the same time ,Italy takes the fourth place,while Uzbekistan takes the fifth and Spain takes the sixth.
Climate and Soil Requirements; Cherries grow well in deep loamy soils. They don't enjoy the airless, heavy textured soils with poor drainage Rootstocks must be selected according to the soil analysis. Cherry trees can resist to -25, -28 C0 in Winter resting period while the flowers are damaged at -2,-3C0 and young fruits are damaged at -1C0.
They can be planted in almost all regions of our country excluding the seaside areas of Mediterranean and Aegean Sea. Required winter cooling durations below 7.2 C0 change between 700-1400 hours. Formation of twin cherries increases in regions with hot summer.
Use of rootstock; Wild cherry and mahlep rootstocks have been preferred in cherries for a long time, but in recent years demand for stocks grafted onto the clone rootstocks have increased.
The rootstocks Gisela series 5, 6, 7 and 12 developed in Gissen Research Institute in Germany, Ma x Ma series, Weirot and Tabel Edabriz developed in France, CAB 6P and E-11 developed in Italy takes greater demand and the demand for stocks grafted onto Mahalep Sl-64, Cold and Mazzart F-12/1 rootstocks. Mahalep SL-64 rootstock should be preferred in limy, loamy soils with limited irrigation conditions, Mahalep SL-64 MaxMa rootstocks should be preferred in heavy textured soils and F 12/1, CAB 6P should be used in permeable, deep soils with hot climate.
Important Species; Cristobalino, Early Burlat, Vista, Metron Premier, Metron Bigarreau, Larian, Noir De Guben, Stella, Van, Bing, Lapins, Bigarreau Gaucher, Noble, 0900 Ziraat, Metron Late, Starks Gold, Sweet Heart, Sun Burst, Ferrovia, Gorgia, Hedelfinger, Kordia, Lambert, Noble, Regina, Techloven..
Self-yielding species evolved in recent years are Stella, Celeste, Isabelle, Lapins, Sunburst, Sweetheart and New Star. In our country, the most commonly planted and exported cherry type in our country is 0900 Ziraat, and species such as Starks Gold, Lambert, Metron Late and Bigarreau Gaucher must definitely be used as fertilizers to obtain a good quantity of products.
Planting Gaps and Cultivation Systems; Cherries must be planted in 6x6m and 6x5m gaps on generative rootstocks, in 6x4 m and 5x3 m on clone rootstocks and 4x3 m gaps and spaces when grafted onto Gisela 5 rootstock. In farms with stocks grafted onto the dwarf and semi-dwarf cherry rootstocks, 50 to 85 pieces of cherry trees can be planted. Amount of organic material in soil, cultivation method and inclination of the farm is also important for the lengths of gaps.
Since cherries tend to grow vertically, main branches should be extended towards sides. Modified leader cultivation is the most suitable method of cultivation. This system must be installed within 4 years following the planting. Lack of sufficient budding causes the fruits remain small and the tree grow vertically.
Diseases and Pests; Root Cancer, Bacterial Cancer, Monilia etc. diseases and Rhomboid Tortrix, Cherry Fly are among the important pests
