Analysis of Siirt pistachio from the perspective of agricultural geography

This thesis aims to analyze Siirt pistachio from the perspective of agricultural geography. Siirt pistachio, a variety of Antep pistachio, is believed to have been cultivated beginning in the early 1900s through grafts and scions brought by religious scholars and traders from Iran. The first known cultivation occurred in the villages of Doluharman, Gökçebağ, and Bağtepe in the Central district, as well as in the villages of the Tillo district. Siirt pistachio is rich in vitamins and holds significant importance for human health. It is especially rich in vitamins A, E, C, B1, and B6, which are vital for various metabolic functions and overall health. The B1 vitamin in Siirt pistachio provides substantial energy to the human body and has positive effects against loss of appetite. Additionally, it helps alleviate conditions affecting organs such as the intestines, heart, and heart muscles. Siirt pistachio is also rich in minerals, including vitamin A, which is particularly beneficial for eye health. In the cultivation of Siirt pistachio, the bıttım tree, which naturally grows in Siirt and has the best root structure, is used as rootstock. This provides a significant advantage for Siirt pistachio cultivation in the region. The Siirt pistachio tree is resistant to diseases and pests, which enhances crop productivity. Moreover, one of the notable advantages of Siirt pistachio is its earlier fruit-bearing period compared to other pistachio varieties. In this study, a detailed spatial analysis of the distribution of Siirt pistachio within the Siirt province was conducted using ArcMap software. Data related to Siirt pistachio obtained from various institutions were evaluated, and comprehensive fieldwork was carried out. The results show that Siirt pistachio is cultivated in all districts of the province and in almost all associated villages. These findings reveal that Siirt pistachio cultivation is an important source of income and a vital component of the agricultural economy for the local population. Over the years, there has been a notable increase in both the cultivation area and the production quantity of Siirt pistachio. Keywords: Siirt pistachio, Antep pistachio, Agriculture, Bıttım tree, Agricultural Geography