In Niğde, one of Turkey’s major apple production centers, high temperatures and drought have adversely affected production. Experts pointed out that plants struggle more in high temperatures, leading to decreased yield and quality. The impact of heat and drought also hit apple production. Atilla Kaplan, the President of the Niğde Apple Producers Union, emphasized the significant role Niğde plays in apple production in Turkey.

Kaplan mentioned that approximately 552,000 tons of apples were produced in Niğde last year, but this year, the production is expected to be lower. He stated that they anticipate 370,000 tons of apple production this year, attributing the decline to various factors. Kaplan highlighted the increasing impacts of climate change, noting that high temperatures in August negatively affected fruit formation. Additionally, the limited rainfall also played a role. He noted that there was almost no rain during the autumn last year.

During the spring months when the apples blossomed, Kaplan indicated that the temperature was 31.8 degrees, and the hot winds burned the trees. Kaplan emphasized that some orchards had no apples at all, while those above 1550 meters in altitude were less affected by the adverse conditions. Explaining that trees can withstand thirst better in cooler air at higher altitudes, Kaplan stressed the need to consider sustainability in existing orchards and new orchard constructions due to the slow, gradual effects of global warming.

Kaplan mentioned that around 250,000 acres of land in the city were allocated to apple production, highlighting that water is vital for survival. He emphasized the importance of exporting produced goods, as local consumption alone cannot suffice. Highlighting the need for government support to facilitate exports, Kaplan mentioned that the Russian market might become more crucial due to reduced productions in Serbia and Poland.

Prof. Dr. Sedat Serçe, the Head of the Agricultural Genetic Engineering Department at Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University, also discussed climate change as a prominent issue in recent years. Serçe noted a noticeable rise in temperatures over the past 20 years, emphasizing the scientific reality of increased average temperatures and high temperatures during the summer. He explained how high temperatures lead to plants losing their photosynthesis efficiency, causing abiotic stress due to environmental factors like strong light, ultraviolet rays, extreme temperatures, frost, drought, salinity, heavy metals, and insufficient oxygen.

Serçe pointed out that as plants endure harsher conditions with deviating temperatures, both yield and quality decrease. He highlighted that prolonged exposure to heat during specific periods leads to more pre-harvest drops, resulting in a variety of fruit sizes within the same species grown in the same location, ultimately impacting quality negatively. Serçe predicted more severe impacts of climate change in the coming years, underscoring the necessity of plant breeding for adverse weather conditions and the implementation of conscious farming practices as primary and sustainable solutions, stressing ongoing university research in this regard.