Abstract
Aims: In this study, it was aimed to determine the input and cultural processes used by agricultural enterprises engaged in pear production in Antalya province Korkuteli district.
Methods and Results: Within the scope of the research, primary data were obtained from 96 pear farms by face to face questionnaire method. The research data belonged to the 2018 production period. In the study, the knowledge of the producers on pear production, the varieties they grow, the number of trees, the cultural processes they applied, the use of inputs and the diseases and pests that were most affected were determined. The farms were grouped by pear area. The obtained findings were given in cross tables. The interviewed producers had 27.75 years of experience in agriculture and 22.93 years of experience in pear production. More than half of the producers (52.21%) reported a high level of knowledge on pear cultivation. A significant portion of the farmers (74.04%) stated that they are not satisfied with pear cultivation. In the region where the study was conducted, almost all of the producers (93.75%) were applying the classical breeding system. It was determined that 48.56% of the pear area of the farmers interviewed in the research area was Korkuteli Karyağdı variety and 28.13% Margarite variety. It was determined that the most important disease was fire blight, and the most important pest was pear psyllid. It was calculated that the interviewed enterprises used 45.71 kg of nitrogen, 35.46 kg of phosphorus and 10.04 kg of potassium per decare in pear production. In addition, the average amount of fungicide per decare used in pear production was 1182.26 g, insecticide amount 403.90 g and herbicide amount was calculated as 166.73 g.
Conclusions: It was determined that the producers in the region have a high level of experience and knowledge in pear production. On the other hand, satisfaction levels were expressed low. The reasons for this were the increases in the prices of input elements over the years and the volatility of the product price. There were high amounts of input usage levels. In this respect, producers should be made more conscious about input usage, time, amount and application method.
Significance and Impact of the Study: The limited studies on the technical characteristics of pear production increase the originality of this study. Various technical applications of farmers have been presented to the relevant researchers. In this respect, it will also provide an idea about where the improvements in technical structure should be in pear production.