A research on producer behaviors in sour cherry breeding: The sample of Akşehir

This study was carried out to evaluate the behaviors of sour cherry producers in the Akşehir district of Konya province during the breeding process. Here, the materials used by the farmers in the sour cherry growing process are used and the producers are asked about the business, land, competitor products, plant materials used, fertilization, irrigation, maintenance, etc. producer behaviors in sour cherry production were examined with the evaluations during the cultivation process. It has been determined that the total number of sour cherry producers registered in the Farmer Registration System is 1170. The sample set was determined according to this number of producers. For this purpose, the sample size was determined as 100 according to the Newbold, 1995 method and based on a 90% confidence interval and a 5% margin of error. The main material of the study was the original data obtained from face-to-face surveys conducted with 100 cherry growers residing in Akşehir district and its villages. According to the findings obtained in our study; The average age of sour cherry producers is 51, the literacy rate is 73%, the average yield per tree is 55 kg at a rate of 38%, and 65 kg at a rate of 27%. production was determined. In addition, it was determined that 20% of the producers had soil analysis, 71% preferred chemical control, 98% pruned and irrigated, and 42% had a medium level of knowledge about pollination and fertilization. It was determined that 38% of the producers supported the idea that the consultancy of Agricultural Engineers is important in cultivation. As a result of our study, it has been observed that the majority of sour cherry cultivators in Akşehir District continue their production with traditional methods, while new generation producers mostly produce with the recommendations of the Provincial and District Agriculture technical personnel. Keywords: Akşehir, Prunus cerasus L., production, productivity, producer attitude, sour cherry