Boyabat Gazidere Tomato

Boyabat Gazidere Tomato is a native and traditional tomato variety cultivated in the villages of Gazideresi and Gazideretabaklı, within the Boyabat district of Sinop Province in Türkiye’s Black Sea Region. This tomato has been grown for over 150 years using the same seeds and is also known locally as the “ugly tomato”. It was officially registered with its geographical indication on 12 April 2019 and is protected under geographical indication rights.

Morphological Characteristics

The Boyabat Gazidere tomato is a large, multi-lobed, and indeterminate variety. The fruit has a slightly flattened shape with a rounded apex and a notched blossom end. In commercial harvest, fruit width ranges from 131 to 143 mm and length from 86 to 101 mm. The skin is thin and soft, with a thickness of 0.37–0.41 mm. The flesh is pinkish-red, fragrant, juicy, and sandy in texture. Each fruit contains approximately 400 to 500 seeds. It is distinguished from other tomato varieties by its sliced structure and a conical, seedless “sprout” region at its center.

Maturation occurs from inside out. Before ripening, the fruit skin exhibits a green shoulder. Due to its short post-harvest shelf life, it is best suited for fresh consumption and is not suitable for long-distance transportation. Although commonly consumed as a breakfast or salad tomato, it is also used in canning and tomato juice production.

Botanical Characteristics

The plant is upright, reaching a height of 150–200 cm. Anthocyanin pigmentation is visible on the stem and branches, with internode lengths of 6–9 cm. Leaves are medium to small in size, with lobed and wavy margins and slight blistering. Leaf color is blue-green. Flowers are yellow and of medium size. Flowering occurs between 10 June and 10 October, with peak flowering around 1 July and lasting approximately 15 days.

Cultivation Conditions

The Boyabat Gazidere tomato is grown in alluvial soils nourished by the mineral-rich waters of the Gazidere Creek and Gökırmak River. The soil has a clayey texture, is salt-free (0.019%), slightly alkaline (pH 7.81), very low in lime (0.6%), and contains moderate organic matter (2.58%). Phosphorus (P₂O₅) content is very high, while potassium (K₂O) content is moderate.

Cultivation follows traditional agricultural practices. The first plowing is carried out in autumn at a depth of 20–25 cm using burned farmyard manure. In late March, a second plowing is performed with 25 kg of DAP fertilizer per hectare. Seeds (400–500 g/ha) are sown at a depth of 3 cm. Thinning takes place in mid-May, with plant spacing arranged at 30 cm between plants and 50 cm between rows. Irrigation begins in mid-June and is repeated every 3–5 days. Nitrogen fertilization (urea) is applied every 20 days, and foliar fertilization is conducted as needed to address micronutrient deficiencies.

The first harvest begins in early July and is repeated every 2–3 days until the end of September. Yield per plant reaches 50 kg, with total production per hectare ranging from 6 to 7 tonnes.

Geographical and Ecological Context

Boyabat district is located 86 km south of Sinop, along the edge of the Gökırmak basin. The loose, rocky areas traversed by mineral-rich streams such as Gazidere Creek and Harın Stream provide suitable microclimatic and geological conditions for tomato cultivation. This natural environment is a fundamental factor in determining the distinctive flavor and aromatic qualities of the product.

Monitoring and Protection

The production of Boyabat Gazidere tomato is monitored by the Sinop Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, the Boyabat Municipal Mayorship, and the Boyabat Chamber of Agriculture. Inspections are conducted at 15-day intervals across all stages of production, including cultivation methods, fertilization, irrigation, pest control, harvesting, and marketing. Expert support may be obtained from public or private institutions when necessary. The registering authority is responsible for the legal protection of the product.