Evaluation of citrus farming and insecticide use of Adana province

In this study, it was aimed to determine the consumption of citrus fruits increasing from past to present; the increase in the production to fulfill this demand, and the usage ratio of insecticides intended for increasing the production. Compling the data from the previous studies, a questionnaire study was carried out with 54 growers engaged in citrus fruits production in Adana province.The previous studies reported an increase in the consumption, which led to an increase in the production in both Adana and Turkey, in all types of citrus fruits being produced other than bitter orange. Despite the fact that there was not any clear increase in insecticide production, the increase in the import trade showed that these pesticides might have an effective role in the production of citrus fruits increasing from past to present. The questionnaire study revealed the growers to use nowadays the licensed products (i.e.Admiral, Canplan Envidor, Mitlus, Movento, Jackpot), or unlicensed products (i.e.Dursban 4, Mavrik), and besides, one or several of oil, copper and sulphur products in the production of orange, tangerine, lemon and grapefruit, mainly in the months of May, June and July, particularly against Aonidiella aurantii, Panonychus citri, Planococcus citri, Ceroplastes floridensis, Ceratitis capitata, Phyllocoptruta oleivora and Lichenes. The growers were observed to use different doses of insecticides for a single plant still under any unique brand. Most of the growers preferred to purchase the pesticides from the dealers by considering their explanations and the advertisements. The instructions regarding use of pesticides were not read by the growers and they applied the pesticides without any preventive measures. Storage, elimination and discharge processes of pesticides could not be described correctly by the growers.The results of the study were discussed in terms of negative impacts on human and the environment, concluding with possible suggestions.Key Words: Adana, citrus fruits, insecticides, questionnaire