The Producer's Test of Heat... Values Decline in Alanya

In Alanya, tropical fruit growers are taking precautions against temperatures above seasonal norms using "shade powder" and "kaolin clay" applications. In this district, which supplies a significant portion of tropical fruit production, farmers employ various methods to protect their crops from excessive heat.

With the application of lime called "shade powder," producers ensure that less sunlight enters the greenhouses by spraying a liquid lime solution externally onto the greenhouse roofs, creating a white layer. This method helps reduce the temperature inside the greenhouses. In open-field gardens, kaolin clay mixed with water is sprayed on trees.

Tahir Göktepe, President of the Alanya Chamber of Agriculture, emphasized that tropical crops are adversely affected by high temperatures. He highlighted the necessity for frequent irrigation by farmers and the essential application of shade powder in greenhouses. Göktepe also mentioned that kaolin clay is used for plants like avocado and mango grown in open areas, emphasizing the importance of watering during cooler hours of the day.

Göktepe explained that they protect newly planted seedlings from burning by using shade nets and noted the efforts of producers in coping with the heat. He discussed the challenges of working in scorching temperatures, noting that temperatures inside greenhouses can reach up to 55-60 degrees Celsius, posing economic risks.

Due to excessive heat, Göktepe mentioned fruit drop, which reduces yield, and highlighted that even tropical fruits requiring less water like papaya lose market value due to sunburn. He emphasized that they aim to prevent these products from going to waste by processing them into alternatives such as jams, jellies, and pickles.

Göktepe also emphasized the potential for mango to become a significant export product if protected from diseases or heat in the future, and highlighted that avocado has already reached important export figures. However, he stressed the need to support producers; otherwise, they may withdraw from production.

Celalettin Aydoğan, a tropical fruit grower, mentioned that he has been cultivating bananas, mangoes, and avocados under cover for 13 years. Aydoğan explained that they are currently combating extreme temperatures by ensuring regular irrigation and applying shade powder to greenhouses to protect their crops.