Citrus tress growers' problems and solutions in the Mediterranean region

In this study, the general characteristics of citrus nursery tree growing of the Mediterranean Region were determined through the questionnaire, the present situation was revealed and solutions for the problems were suggested. According to the obtained data, the 68.35% of the nursery enterprises were below 15 decares. The 30.86% of the producers had graduate degree, 43.21% were in the age range of 41-50 years old and average monthly income of 52.50% was between 3001-5000 TL. Standard production is performed in 88.61% of the enterprises and the most produced species are; tangerine, lemon, orange and grapefruit. Bitter orange (72.84%) and carrizo (34.57%) are the most commonly used rootstocks. It was determined that, the producers paid attention to different features of the rootstocks in the selection of a rootstock. The 29.63% of the producers had taken into account of multi seededness, 37.04% gave importance to resistance to frost, drought and lime and 28.40% were pay attention to the tolerace to virus-viroids and root and trunk rot. In 97.47% of the enterprises, the saplings were selling as potted, 82.28% have applicated soil isolation, 79.75% have analysed the soil for nematods and 59.49% have used the drip irrigation system for irrigation and fertilization. In 11.1% of the enterprises there is a breeding unit of number three.The producers have using the recipe system with the plant passport system and paying attention to the hygiene rules and they have problems in pricing, marketing, land supplying, production stage, capacity, label fee and breeding issues.