Dörtyol Mandarin

Dörtyol mandarin is a mandarin variety grown in the districts of Dörtyol, Erzin, and Payas in Hatay Province and belongs to the “Owari” strain of the “Satsuma” type. It has been officially registered as a “Geographical Indication” by the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office under Registration No. 468 dated 31 October 2019 and is protected under geographical indication status.

Product Description and Distinctive Characteristics

The Dörtyol mandarin possesses unique quality attributes due to the microclimate conditions soil structure and climatic factors of its growing region. This product differs from similar varieties in other regions in terms of early ripening aromatic profile high juice content and soluble dry matter ratio.

The fruits are medium-sized flat-shaped and have a deep orange flesh. Due to their loose peel structure they exhibit a tendency to puff. The peel color is yellowish-orange with a thickness ranging from 2.75 to 3.37 mm. The average fruit width is 66.08–69.32 mm and the weight ranges from 135.69 to 142.96 grams. Juice content is between 49.08% and 53.96% while the soluble dry matter (Brix) content ranges from 7.8% to 8.28%. The acidity level in the fruit juice is between 0.97% and 1.38%. The ratio of soluble dry matter to acidity falls within the range of 7.61–8.45.

The fruits are seedless or contain at most six seeds. The variety exhibits consistent yield and low tendency toward alternate bearing.

Dörtyol Mandarini (Turkish Patent)

Production Method

In Dörtyol mandarin production citrus rootstock is generally used. Carrizo citrange may also be preferred in suitable soil conditions. Propagation is carried out by bud grafting; dormant bud grafting is performed in September–October while shoot bud grafting begins in March.

In new orchards semi-dense planting systems such as 4x3 m or 3x5 m are employed. Planting is carried out in January–April or in some years in September–November. Seedlings are pruned before planting and placed at an appropriate soil depth. The water table must be below 1.5 m and proper drainage infrastructure must be provided in areas requiring it.

Fertilization begins before flowering and continues during the growth phase with supplementation of micronutrients and potassium. Pest control measures are adjusted according to pest population density; particularly the Mediterranean fruit fly scale insects and mealybugs are kept under control. Irrigation is conducted using drip or sprinkler methods with scheduling determined according to weather conditions.

Fruits begin to ripen from mid-September and are harvested by the end of November. During harvest fruits are carefully collected sorted and packaged then stored in cold storage at 3–4°C for a period of two to three months.

Dörtyol Mandarin Harvest (Generated by Artificial Intelligence)

Geographical Boundary and Monitoring

The Dörtyol mandarin is cultivated within the boundaries of the districts of Dörtyol Erzin and Payas in Hatay Province between the longitudinal coordinates of 36°3′ and 36°16′ East and latitudinal coordinates of 36°46′ and 37°0′ North.

Product monitoring is conducted by an oversight body composed of experts from the Dörtyol Trade and Industry Chamber and the Dörtyol District Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry under the coordination of the Dörtyol Citrus Producers Union. During inspections parameters such as early ripening juice content fruit weight soluble dry matter to acidity ratio peel thickness and packaging label are verified.