Olive phenology in turkey: The case of Keçiborlu (Isparta)

This study investigates the history of olive cultivation in Turkey and examines the phenological characteristics of olive cultivation in the Keçiborlu district of Isparta province, situated near Lake Burdur in the northern part of the Lake District in Southwest Anatolia. The primary objective of the research is to explore the historical development of olive cultivation in Turkey and assess the olive production potential of the Keçi-borlu district. To achieve this aim, the study analyzes olive production in Turkey from the prehistoric era to the present day, with a focus on its ecological aspects. Historical documents were utilized to evaluate the impacts of climatic changes and anthropo-genic factors, providing a comprehensive resource for understanding the role of ol-ives in Turkey's agricultural landscape. Meteorological data, including long-term temperature and precipitation rec-ords for the Keçiborlu district, were obtained from the Turkish State Meteorological Service. Precipitation data were processed using the DrinC software to perform drought analyses. Olive production statistics for the district, as recorded by the Turk-ish Statistical Institute, were also examined to uncover its production history. Analysis of temperature data indicated that the district is largely phenologi-cally suitable for olive cultivation. Furthermore, drought analyses revealed that pre-cipitation levels in the region meet the requirements for successful olive cultivation. The findings of this study demonstrate that while the district experiences oc-casional extreme temperature events, the associated frost damage can be minimized through the selection of appropriate olive varieties. This research contributes valuable insights into the potential of olive cultivation in the region, offering a foundation for further agricultural and ecological studies.