CROP SITUATION AND RESEARCH IN ALMOND

Turkey has a big climatic advantage of growing horticultural plants in many parts of the country. Anatolia is also one of the important genetic origins of many fruit species (Ozbek, 1978; Küden and Küden, 2000). These rich species and variety potential give us opportunity to find alternative plant materials for various aims, such as drought, cold or disease resistant varieties, dwarf or vigorous rootstocks, various varieties suitable to demand of both internal and external growers and consumers, etc. Almond is one of main nut species grown in our country. However, Turkey’s market share has still been very small in 2,072,100 tons of world almond production and export (FAO, 2007). Turkey is placed on the way of the genetic origins of almond, which are Middle and West Asia. Cultured and wild almonds (Amygdalus nana, Amygdalus orientalis, Amygdalus turcomenica, Amygdalus Arabica and A. webbii) are extended in the country and supply big opportunity of almond growing (Küden and Küden, 2000).
Almond growing was condensed at Aegean, Mediterranean and Southeast Anatolia regions with 50,753 tons of production (FAO, 2007). Many years ago, the production has been done mainly by seeds, because of that a wide range of variation is seen in the population. Recently, almond growing is increasing at Southeast Anatolia region with the establishment of big almond orchards with very well known varieties in the world, such as Nonpareil, Texas, Ferragnes, Ferraduel and Cristomorto. Kaska et al., (1993a; 1993b); Küden et al., (1993; 1997), carried out several experiments on the adaptation of selected almonds. Recently, Nas has been working on the development of new tissue culture medium by changing the nutritional composition of culture medium.