Studies carried out in the Breeding & Genetics Department are oriented towards breeding, introducing and evolution of new cultivars having higher yields, possessing excellent quality characteristics, resistant to drought, disease and pests, as well as withstanding low temperatures, and satisfying domestic and foreign markets. Research programs employing methods and techniques of selection and hybridization for creating new potential cultivars and rootstocks, are prepared, submitted and implemented upon approval by the research committee, and then the new cultivars further tested in adaptation studies conducted in different ecologies. Domestic and introduced plant materials used in these studies are saved as gene sources in the Institute’s collection orchard and seed storage for future breeding studies. As a result, the gene source of the Institute has expanded in years to include 154 Sweet cherry, 33 Sour cherry, 8 Strawberry, 146 Walnut, 281 Apple, 283 Pears, 112 Peach and Nectarine, 26 Chestnut, 50 Plum, 25 Olive, 113 Grape, 10 Kiwi, 10 Mushroom, 1 Feijoa, 34 Berries, 9 Fig, 7 Persimmon, 4 Tomato, 6 Pepper, 2 Eggplant, 2 Watermelon, 3 Cabbage, 4 Onion, 6 Beans, 5 Okra, 1 Leek, 1 Root Celery and 5 Artichoke variety or types. These numbers are subject to gradual increase since selection, hybridization and introduction studies are strongly being emphasized.

Selection and hybridization studies so far have resulted in the production of excellent registered cultivars which were all well received by the horticultural industry; 3 Strawberry, 10 Walnut, 8 Grape, 1 Tomato, 4 Greenpepper , 2 Eggplant, 2 Watermelon, 2 Cabbage, 3 Onion, 2 Greenbean, 5 Okra, 1 Leek and 2 Mushroom varieties have been registered and made available to the sector.

Seeds, seedlings, saplings of grapes, fruits and vegetables of selected types or potential varieties are further used in the adaptation studies throughout the country and demonstrative trials are set up afterwards in farmers’ orchards or fields. Original seeds of cultivars with characteristics such as uniqueness, excellent taste and flavor, eye appeal and resistant to diseases are produced at the Institute’s stock facilities and thereafter given to state or private sector for subsequent production.

Main objectives of the Agrotechnology Department are to carry out research studies on cultural practices, physiology and propagational techniques on grape, fruit, vegetable and ornamental species and cultivars either developed by the Institute or imported all leading to improving quality and development.

Department is trying to introduce or develop new technologies for the industry, conveying results and information to the Ministrial extensionists and growers through courses, and seminars under training programs. Practically important results are demonstrated as field trials at the Institute or selected farmers’ fields for faster implementations.

Department of Plant Protection is engaged in research studies related to resistance of crops developed by the Institute to pests and diseases, to control prevalent pest and diseases and to produce healthy, virus-free material. Preparing projects on fungal and bacterial diseases, pests, nematodes and viruses that cripple horticultural crops of economic importance, the Department has concentrated its recent studies on management systems for integrated crop production, getting maximum efficiency by using less chemicals, techniques of applications, residue problems, chemical-ecology interaction and environmental safety. Aside from research studies, pest and disease identification and advisory services have been initiated to meet grower and private sector’s requests and demands. Also rendering quarantine services for the imported seeds, seedlings, saplings and potted ornamentals, the Department has been designated by the Ministry as the coordinator and implementing organization in the nation-wide IPM projects and sun pest control.

The Department has been conducting research-development studies all related to economical aspects of production and marketing of horticultural crops grown in Turkey. Nation-wide and overseas statistical data are obtained at macro levels and original data obtained from growers by interviewing or inquiries are subsequently being evaluated. Studies carried on specific crop levels, their global and nation-wide cost operations, production and consumption, economic values, production technology inputs, commercial profitability are elucidated.

The problems of the horticultural industry do not merely confine to the production phase. More problems, however, exist between harvest and consumption. Postharvest Physiology Department conducts research studies on selected and commercially important grapes, fruits, vegetables and ornamentals with regard to their storage potentials. Moreover, effects to preharvest factors on quality and storage, maturity standards of the selected crops, determination of practically most suitable maturity standards for the cultivars, effects of pre-and poststorage application of chemicals on storage and quality are other topics of the postharvest studies. In general, research studies are mainly concentrated on determination of measures methodology and techniques in the prevention of postharvest losses of horticultural crops. The main objective is satisfied in the end by finding the conditions most suitable for storage, packaging and transportation. On the hand, research programs additionally cover some technological steps including pre-cooling technology, designing and developing produce-oriented storage systems most suitable to the country’s ecological conditions, prestorage application of chemicals and fungicides, simple systems for their implementations, storage technology, ripening and methods to extend postharvest shelflife.

Observing and identifying physiological disorders throughout the cold-chain and their prevention as well as diagnosing losses resulted from pests and fungal diseases and their remedies are closely studied with the collaboration with other departments of foreign institutes renowned internationally.

The department collaborating with the main crop producing departments, is conducting research studies on all fruit and vegetable cultivars in an attempt to determine their suitability for processing by using different food preservation techniques. Studies mainly concentrated on fruit juice processing, canning and freezing preservation. From the point of variety evaluation, valuable information has been accumulated so far for the processing industry. Fermentation technology is another area the department shows special interest. The food safety is becoming increasingly important in Turkey and recent studies included extensive food analysis in the Department’s program regarding the evaluation of food additives in fruit and vegetable processing and especially effects of fertilizer on quality and safety.