TİKA Supports Agricultural Research in TRNC

Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) provided laboratory equipment support for the TRNC Güzelyurt Agricultural Research Institution to use in the genetic research of citrus.

Due to the fact that the yield of certain citrus varieties changes in different climate conditions and soils, it is essential to carry out genetic molecular analyses in order to sort out these varieties. Owing to the laboratory equipment and chemicals provided by TİKA, it will be possible to conduct genetic molecular analyses on more than 70 rootstock-possible bitter orange, lemon, and orange, identified across the island. The conducted processes will result in data that will lay the groundwork for both rootstock and variety development efforts. In light of the obtained data, the producers will be able to take the necessary precautions to grow citrus under favorable conditions. The project will allow the distribution of distinct varieties to growers by facilitating the identification of rootstock strains in terms of efficiency in citrus production and resistance to drought and disease.

The genetic relations of the selected 89 citrus fruits will be investigated through SSR (Simple Sequence Repeats), cpDNA (chloroplast DNA), and CAPS (Cleaved Amplified Polymorphic Sequences) gene regions. The registration and certification processes of the selected varieties will be initiated following the analysis of the line of descent of 16 citrus fruits in the citrus collection of TRNC Güzelyurt Agricultural Research Station, Antalya BATEM (West Mediterranean Agricultural Research Institution), and the Faculty of Agriculture of Çukurova University.

The project outputs will benefit particularly citrus growers in TRNC, relevant institutions and organizations, agricultural faculties of universities; as well as TRNC, Türkiye, and other citrus-grower countries within the scope of the preservation of genetic resources and endemics that are important for the country.