Viticulture activity in Salihli district

Salihli district; ıt is in province of Manisa in Aegean Region. Salihli where is on the 28-10' meridian east and 38- 10' parallel North is in the middle of Gediz Basin. It is surrounded by Turgutlu district from the West, Akhisar district from the Northwest, Gördes district from the North, Demirci district from the Northeast, Kula district from the east, Alaşehir district from the southeast and Ödemiş district from the South. These districts are all in province of Manisa except for Ödemiş. Ödemiş is in province of İzmir. The city center of Salihli was founded in the South side of district and on the foot of Bozdağ mountain. From the beginning, its location has never been changed and it has kept developing in the same area. City center is quite developed position from the point of its economy and population. Salihli has always been an agriculture and trade center for surroundings. It is because Salihli has sufficient lands that are watered by Gediz river, Alaşehir river, Kurşunlu river, Çakallar river and Gümüş river and also has convenient climate. Salihli is a search area with its 8 towns and 72 villages. In Salihli people mostly live in lowlands which are agricultural and close to the water sources. Some people prefers living high valleys. Primary sources of Income in Salihli district are agriculture, trade and livestock farming. But agriculture is the most important one. Especially viticulture and growing seedless Sultani raisins are common in the area. Viticulture is one of the most important sources of income in Salihli district. Seedless Sultaniye grapes are grown in the North hemisphere between 10 and 52 parallels. So Turkey is very convenient for viticulture. In this study, we searched for viticulture and its historical development, the families that working on vineyard and their socioeconomic situations, basic problems of viticulture and their solution methods and the ways of usage of grapes. Salihli's geographical structure and agricultural potential has been examined. As a result of these examinations, viticultural potential has been considered. Villages vineyards and grape producing amount are examined and it is mentioned about prominent villages on viticulture. Grape types produced in these villages are searched and their usage ways are determined. The problem of the district and the solution ways are emphasized. Key Words: Salihli, Viticulture, Grape Evaluatio