Determine of die-back factors on pistacia vera L.

ABSTRACT DETERMINE OF DIE - BACK FACTORS ON PISTACIA VERA L. DEMİRÖZER, Şeyda M.Sc. In Biology Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mehmet ÖZASLAN May 2004, 47 pages Our country is on the "gene centre" for Pistachio. Pistachio was grown in the region of Southeastern Anatolia for many years and is the most important crop for the economy of this region. Pistacia vera L., has high in fat / protein ratio with high quality nutrition value. P. vera is a main yield for produces all around the Gaziantep province. For the last 10-15 years, die-back of pistachio trees was observed causing important crop and yield losses. The aim of this study was to determine die - back factors on P. vera trees grown in the Gaziantep province. P. vera producing areas of Nizip, Karkamış and Oğuzeli disticts within Gaziantep, P. vera producing areas were surveyed and the plants that exhibited die-back symptoms were collected. Isolations from the diseased plant parts showed that different agents may be responsible this problem. P. vera seedlings obtained from "Antepfıstığı Araştırma Enstitüsü" (Pistachio Research Instutute) were inoculated with these agents. The symptoms after inoculation were examined. Factors of the disease was back isolated. Key Words: Pistacia vera L., Die - back,Fungi. 11