Maviyemiş Contributes to the National Economy

Blueberry Introduced to Turkey's Economy Since 1996, academics at Samsun Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMÜ) Faculty of Agriculture have brought blueberry production into the country's economy through their research work. Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Çelik, Faculty Member at OMÜ Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Horticulture, shared his ideas and recommendations with Rector Prof. Dr. Yavuz Ünal regarding the university's new initiatives in berry fruit and other species. During a visit to the Rector's office, Prof. Dr. Çelik met with Rector Ünal and conveyed details of the roadmap they had prepared regarding blueberry and other berry fruits at OMÜ, which currently holds 5 registered blueberry varieties and 2 registered cloudberry varieties.

Blueberry Sector Developed Under OMÜ's Leadership

During the visit, Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Çelik recalled that blueberry, known as blueberry worldwide, became an industrial sector in Turkey through research initiated by OMÜ in 1996, stating: "The blueberry fruit, which did not have a single plant or even a gram of fruit in 1996, has become an established sector in our country as a result of our university's initiative. OMÜ became the university that registered 5 blueberry varieties and initiated blueberry seedling production in Turkey. Today, the private sector has achieved significant potential in domestic blueberry seedling production. With cultivation areas exceeding 10,000 decares, blueberry production currently yields approximately 5,000-6,000 tons of fruit. Our target is to initially produce 100,000 tons of blueberries and place our country among the world's top 10 producers in this field. With global production at around 850,000 tons, blueberry is a fruit highly beneficial for health, and its yield per unit area can be 10-15 times higher than the per-unit income of certain basic products in the Black Sea Region."

Now Being Produced in Antalya, Adana and Mersin

Prof. Dr. Çelik noted that new blueberry orchards have been established under OMÜ leadership, taking advantage of different ecological conditions across Turkey, and emphasized that this fruit has become a popular commodity, stating: "We have now begun blueberry production at lower elevations during January, February, March and April, and at higher elevations with late-season production in September, October and November. Today, we are capable of producing blueberries in provinces such as Antalya, Adana and Mersin that are produced very minimally even in the southern hemisphere during January and February. Thanks to greenhouse and soilless farming technologies, we have begun utilizing the opportunity to produce and sell blueberries with high export potential for 10 months of the year."

OMÜ Holds 5 Registered Domestic Grape Varieties

Beyond blueberry, Prof. Dr. Çelik conducts research on the Black Sea Region's renowned aromatic grapes. He highlighted that with support from OMÜ Scientific Research Projects (BAP) Unit, The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK) and civil society organizations, they have registered 5 domestic grape varieties and begun seedling production from these varieties. Providing Rector Ünal with information about aromatic grape varieties, Prof. Dr. Çelik elaborated on the process at OMÜ for producing these grapes: "Our aromatic grape varieties (Rizpem, Rizellim, Rizessi, Ülkemiz, Çeliksu) grow without pesticide use and disease under the excessive rain, humidity and low-light conditions of the Black Sea Region. We aim to establish new vineyards and produce more seedlings. With hybrid breeding work we have initiated in aromatic grape viticulture, we are developing work on our new domestic grape varieties as well as our domestic blueberry varieties. By directing new researchers to these fields, we will introduce new grape and blueberry varieties to regional and national agriculture."

Various Species Research Conducted at the Faculty of Agriculture's Horticulture Department

Referencing work on cloudberry, cornelian cherry, medlar and other cultivated fruits introduced to the region by OMÜ Faculty of Agriculture's Horticulture Department, alongside research on wild berries and dogwood native to the Black Sea's natural flora, OMÜ academic Çelik also mentioned preparations for cultivation of golden strawberry, aronia berries and aromatic grapes that can yield 2-3 harvests in greenhouses.

Blueberry's Role in Industry

Emphasizing focus on introducing many new fruit types to the country and region, particularly blueberry, Prof. Dr. Çelik added that work continues on processing blueberry in industry, with blueberry jam, blueberry juice and blueberry fresh cakes being produced in this direction. During the meeting, Prof. Dr. Çelik also exchanged information and views with Rector Ünal regarding new researchers, research and application centers, and accredited laboratories for tissue culture and seedling production who will work on aromatic grapes, blueberry, cloudberry, cornelian cherry, medlar, aronia, golden strawberry and similar plants that are very important for the region.

Rector Ünal: "OMÜ aims to add value to the region and national economy with all the products it possesses and develops"

Rector Prof. Dr. Yavuz Ünal emphasized that OMÜ is very careful and meticulous in commercializing products it possesses and develops in all fields to add value to the region and national economy, and expressed that they attach great importance to all projects and research in this direction. During the visit, Prof. Dr. Çelik served blueberries produced in Antalya under OMÜ consultancy to Rector Ünal, while also presenting documents and publications regarding multifaceted research on these plants and potential future work.