Natural mulberry (Morus spp.) production in erzurum region in Turkey

Turkey is one of the most important mulberry (Morus alba, Morus nigra and Morus rubra) fruits producing countries in the world. In Turkey, the black, red and mainly white mulberry fruits consumed as fresh or dried. They are also processed into syrup, jam and some regional industrial crops. This study was carried out in 2004 year in Olur and Oltu districts of Erzurum region of Turkey aimed to determine this regions specific mulberry growing features. With this study, it was determined that the region has important natural mulberry production potential and has very specific natural mulberry products such as 'mulberry pekmez', 'mulberry pestil' and 'mulberry kome'. It is also determined that mulberry trees had not been subjected to any cultivation practices such as pesticides, fungicides or chemical fertilizers in the region. Therefore the all products obtained from mulberry trees in this region can be accepted as organic products. The altitude where mulberry trees found varied from 780 m to 1650 m in research area. Harvest period started middle of June and lasted to the end of August. According to altitudes, fruits can be picked 6-10 times during harvest period. 99% of trees were determined as Morus alba.