Diyarbakır Watermelon

Diyarbakır Watermelon is a variety of watermelon cultivated exclusively in the province of Diyarbakır and known for its large size. This product, belonging to the species Citrullus lanatus, was registered under the “Geographical Indication” by the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office on 9 August 2008 and is protected under Registration No: 111.

Diyarbakır Watermelon (Turkish Patent)

Product Description and Distinctive Characteristics

The Diyarbakır Watermelon is particularly known for the “Sürme” variety. Its fruit weight ranges between 20 and 30 kg, but when grown using the traditional “tail watermelon” method, this weight can reach 50 to 60 kg and in some cases up to 75 kg.

The fruits are round or oval in shape. The rind has a green base with dark green stripes and a glossy appearance. The rind thickness is 2–3 cm and its firm structure makes it suitable for transportation. The flesh is red, fibrous, and contains a high level of water-soluble dry matter, up to 10%. Each fruit contains approximately 650 to 750 black, small-sized seeds.

As a late-maturing variety, it is harvested and brought to market after other watermelon varieties have been exhausted. Thanks to this characteristic, it is available in markets during September, October, and November. Additionally, its high fiber content and large fruit size distinguish it from other varieties.

Diyarbakır Watermelon Harvest(AA)

Production Method

Three main cultivation methods are employed:

1. Row (Line) Method: Seeds are sown in lines spaced 1.5–2 meters apart, with 3–4 seeds placed in each line and covered with soil.
2. Pit Method: Seeds are sown or pre-germinated seedlings are planted in pits approximately 40–50 cm in diameter.
3. Tail Watermelon Cultivation: Practiced on the stony, alluvial soils along the banks of the Tigris River. The pits are filled with moist sand enriched with a mixture of pigeon and barn manure. Plants grown using this method produce fruits weighing 40–50 kg or even larger.

Irrigation and fertilization are adjusted according to the growth stage of the crop, while soil temperature and moisture levels are continuously monitored. Today, seedling cultivation is preferred, with seeds germinated into seedlings before being transplanted into fields using the transplanting method.

Diyarbakır Watermelon (Generated by Artificial Intelligence.)

Geographical Boundary and Oversight

The Diyarbakır Watermelon is cultivated primarily in Diyarbakır city center, as well as in the villages of Erimli, Terzian, Dürümlü, Sivritepe, Bağıvar, Yukarı Kılıçtaşı, Yuvacık, and Göksu, and in the districts of Bismil and Çınar. Oversight is conducted by a committee comprising representatives from the Faculty of Agriculture at Dicle University, the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture, and the Southeastern Agricultural Research Institute.