Darboğaz Cherry is a high-quality cherry variety of the 0900 Ziraat cultivar grown in Darboğaz and surrounding villages in the Ulukışla district of Niğde province, located in the Central Anatolia Region of Türkiye. It was registered as a geographical indication of the designation of origin type by the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office on September 28, 2020. The holder of the registration rights is the Ulukışla Cherry Producers Union.

^{Darboğaz Cherry ( Kültür Portalı )}

Geographical Area of Cultivation

The production area of Darboğaz Cherry is strictly limited to the villages of Darboğaz, Emirler, Kılan, Gümüş, Porsuk, Hasangazi, Tekneçukur, Bayağıl, Madenköy, and Yeniyıldız, all of which are located within the Ulukışla district of Niğde province. The quality of the product is significantly influenced by the region’s altitude (1500–2000 m), climate, and soil characteristics.

Botanical and Physical Characteristics

Darboğaz Cherry is a late-season variety; due to the high altitude of the Taurus Plateaus, the harvest period can extend from late June to mid-August. The trees grow strong and upright and are resistant to fruit cracking.

The fruit is characterized by:

• A large, heart-shaped appearance
• Long stems
• Red skin and light red, firm, crunchy, and juicy flesh
• Fruit weight: 9.6 – 11.8 g
• Diameter: 25.5 – 27.5 mm
• Stem length: 38.8 – 46.3 mm
• pH: 4.29 – 4.52
• Firmness: 283 – 338 g/mm
• High anthocyanin and phenolic compound content, providing strong antioxidant properties

Production Process

The trees are cultivated by grafting the 0900 Ziraat cultivar onto rootstocks such as wild cherry (Prunus avium) or Idris (Prunus mahaleb). Saplings are planted in orchards with 5x6 m spacing, accommodating approximately 35 saplings per 1000 m². As pollinator cultivars, varieties such as Starks Gold, Metron Late, Bigarreau Gaucher, Lambert, and Jubile are used. In the early years, training pruning is performed, followed by fruit pruning starting from the fourth year. Trees begin to yield economically around the eighth year, with a productive lifespan of about 25 years. Flowering starts in mid-April, and harvesting takes place between July and August. After harvesting, the fruits are packaged, transported via cold chain, and labeled with the geographical indication emblem on the crates.

Economic and Cultural Significance

Darboğaz Cherry is a major source of income for local producers and plays a crucial role in the livelihoods of residents in Ulukışla and nearby villages. It is preferred both in domestic and export markets, especially for its late-season availability, which adds to its market value. Beyond its economic impact, the cherry also holds cultural significance. The Cherry Festival, organized in Ulukışla, promotes local tourism and serves as a key event for introducing the product.

Supervision and Geographical Indication Protection

The production and marketing of Darboğaz Cherry are monitored at least once a year in cooperation with the Ulukışla Cherry Producers Union, Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University, and the Ulukışla District Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry. The audits include inspections of the geographical boundaries, varietal characteristics, physical attributes, and the presence of the geographical indication emblem on the packaging.