Çağlayancerit Walnut

Çağlayancerit Walnut is a local variety of walnut (Juglans regia L.) unique to the Çağlayancerit district of Kahramanmaraş Province, distinguished by its morphological and agricultural characteristics.

Çağlayancerit Walnut belongs to the group of hard-shelled fruits. It has been registered by the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office as a "geographical name." A geographical name is a type of geographical indication used when all stages of production, processing, and preparation of the product occur within a defined geographical area, and the product’s distinctive characteristics are attributable to this geographical origin. This registration confirms that the unique qualities of Çağlayancerit Walnut are directly linked to the ecological conditions and cultivation practices of the Çağlayancerit region.

^{Çağlayancerit Walnut (}

Çağlayancerit Walnut is characterized by its plump kernel, extra-large size, pale yellow kernel color, soft texture, and ease of removal in one piece by cracking the shell. It is resistant to anthracnose disease and the walnut husk fly. Due to the close timing of male and female flower development, it exhibits high fruit yield.

• Cultivation Altitude: 1,100–1,500 m (Recommended cultivation altitude: 750–1,500 m)
• Yield per Tree: 60–65 kg (dry in-shell fruit)
• Side Branch Yield: 70–80%
• Fruit Weight: 15–16 g
• Kernel Yield: 53–54% (Kernel weight: 8–9 g)
• Kernel Color: Pale yellow (white)
• Shell Thickness: 1.00–1.10 mm
• Flowering Type: Semi-homogamous, protogynous flowering
• Harvest Date: 10 September–1 October
• Tree Growth: Reaches 8–10 m in height by 10–12 years of age; crown structure is spreading with a circumference of 15–20 m.
• Root System: Taproot system
• Soil Preference: Does not thrive well in water-retentive clay soils with high lime content.
• Fruit Bearing: Begins regular fruiting at age 7, reaches economic maturity at 10–12 years, and produces an average of 1,500–2,000 walnuts per tree.
• Phenology: Flowering occurs in April–May; first leafing in mid-March to early April; leaf fall occurs in November–December.

^{A Farmer Holding Çağlayancerit Walnut (}AA⁾

Çağlayancerit district has climatic conditions suitable for walnut cultivation. The region’s loose, alluvial soil structure, combined with the deep root system of walnut trees, provides an ideal environment for the development of Çağlayancerit Walnut. The high number of seed-grown trees in the district contributes significantly to the superior quality and yield of the walnuts.

Çağlayancerit Walnut is cultivated entirely in natural environments without the use of any agricultural chemicals or synthetic fertilizers. The trees are typically planted at 10×10 m intervals and grafted in place. Due to the geographical conditions, climate, altitude, and irrigation water properties of Çağlayancerit, the grafting success rate reaches 95%. The kernels of Çağlayancerit Walnut do not darken at altitudes of 1,000–1,500 m, where humid conditions are unsuitable for cultivation.

The geographical boundary of Çağlayancerit Walnut is defined as Çağlayancerit Central District of Kahramanmaraş Province, including the villages of Boylu, Bölükdamlar, Emiruşağı, Kale, Küçükcerit, Soğukpınar, Oruçpınar, Zeynep Uşağı, Küçüküngüt, Bozlar, and the township of Helete.

The application for the geographical indication registration of Çağlayancerit Walnut was submitted by the Çağlayancerit Chamber of Agriculture. The application, numbered C2012/010, was filed on 21 December 2011. Following the evaluation process, the product was officially registered as a "geographical name" on 30 July 2013 under registration number 175. The registrant’s address is recorded as Fatih Neighborhood, Atatürk Street, Çağlayancerit, Kahramanmaraş.