Determination of yield, quality and the chilling requirements of some local cherry cultivars grown in Ömerli/Mardin

This research was carried out at the cherry orchards of a grower in Mardin, Ömerli on 0900-Ziraat, Starks Gold, Erkenci(Local), Novari (Local) cherry cultivars. In this research the chilling requirements of the experimented cherry cultivars were determined by two different methods (standard and chill unit). Also, total GDH, and phenological and morphological observations and pomological analysis were done. Erkenci(Local) and Starks Gold cherry cultivars broke dormancy on 17th January 2014 and their chilling requirements were determined to be 807 hours 7.2°C and 376 chill units. The chilling requirements of 0900-Ziraat and Novari(Local) cherry cultivars broke dormancy on 27th January 2014 and their chilling requirements were found to be 915 hours below7.2°C and 469 chill units. The chilling duration of Mardin-Ömerli area was found to be 1411 hours below 7.2°C and 758 chill units. Erkenci (local) was found to be the earliest ripening cherry cultivar which was ripen on 20th May 2014. 0900-Ziraat and Starks Gold cherry cultivars were the highest yielding cherry cultivars (50 kg/tree and 45 kg/tree, respectively) and ripen on 10th June 2014.