Examining environmental condition on the growth areas of Turkish hazelnut (Corylus colurna L.)

Abstract

Hazelnut has nutritional and economic value as an agricultural product. Hazelnut, mostly grown in Turkey, has not been planted in all agricultural areas, and the yield and the quality of hazelnut differentiate depending on place where it is grown. This can be a result of response of environmental conditions. In this study, recent hazelnut growth areas were determined by Remote Sensing techniques for Trabzon province of Turkey. By using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) techniques, environmental data such as elevation, slope, aspect, geology, and soil data were produced and analyzed to examine environmental conditions on the growth areas of Turkish hazelnut. Spatial analysis shows that environmental and topographic differences affect the hazelnut growth. According to determined environmental conditions, potential hazelnut growth areas should be determined for effective agricultural plantation.

Key words: Agricultural technology, hazelnut, remote sensing, geographical information systems.