Gürgentepe Çakıldak Fındığı

Gürgentepe Çakıldak Hazelnut is a variety of hazelnut grown exclusively within the boundaries of Gürgentepe district in Ordu Province, Türkiye, and derived solely from the “Çakıldak” cultivar. This product, registered with a geographical indication mark, is characterized by agricultural practices adapted to the region’s sloping terrain, resistance to spring frosts due to late leaf emergence, volcanic-origin soils, and high rainfall patterns. Thanks to its homogeneous variety, it is distinguished by a high kernel ratio and oil content; all stages of production, drying, and processing are carried out entirely within the geographical boundaries of Gürgentepe.

Gürgentepe Çakıldak Fındığı (Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of the Republic of Türkiye)

Geographical Boundary and Agricultural Conditions

Gürgentepe Çakıldak Hazelnut is a hazelnut variety cultivated exclusively in Gürgentepe district of Ordu Province, Türkiye, and belonging to the “Çakıldak” cultivar. This product was officially registered with a geographical indication mark by the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office on 13 October 2023 and falls under the product group “processed and unprocessed fruits, vegetables and mushrooms.” The registration process was conducted by the Ordu Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry.

Gürgentepe district is located in a geographical area composed of sloping terrain and fertile volcanic soils. The region receives abundant rainfall, and its soil structure is naturally enriched by the decomposition of native vegetation. The limited availability of arable land necessitates high yields per unit area. Consequently, only the “Çakıldak” hazelnut variety is cultivated in Gürgentepe district.

Plant and Fruit Characteristics

Gürgentepe Çakıldak Hazelnut is produced from highly productive trees. These trees exhibit moderate root suckering tendency and possess a strong, upright, and spreading growth habit. Leaf emergence occurs relatively late (10–15 April), while leaf fall takes place around late November. The trees demonstrate resistance to spring frosts and maintain consistent annual yield capacity.

Tree Characteristics

• Leaf length: 9.50–14.50 cm
• Leaf width: 7.50–12.00 cm
• Leaf petiole length: 1.00–2.50 cm
• Leaf petiole thickness: 0.96–1.39 mm

Fruit Characteristics

• Shell length: 28.57–56.62 mm
• Number of nuts per cluster: 2.29–2.36
• Kernel ratio: 55.00–58.60%
• Shell thickness: 0.51–1.95 mm
• Oil content: 54.50–57.50%
• Defects such as empty kernel, double kernel, or black-tipped kernel are absent or occur at near-zero rates.
• Missing kernel ratio: 2.00–5.00%
• Rotten kernel ratio: 0.00–1.00%
• Shell size (width, length, bulk): varies between 13.00–22.51 mm.

Production Process

Propagation and Planting

Gürgentepe Çakıldak Hazelnut production is derived from “Çakıldak” hazelnut trees grown within the boundaries of Gürgentepe district in Ordu Province. Planting material is obtained from trees with moderate root suckering tendency. Propagation is carried out by separating root suckers from the parent plant. After extraction using a spade, the suckers are pruned to a length of approximately 35–40 cm before planting, cutting just above a bud without leaving a stub and cutting in the opposite direction of the bud.

These prepared seedlings are planted immediately without storage. Planting is typically performed in autumn to support the development of absorptive roots during winter, facilitating the seedlings’ adaptation to environmental conditions. A waiting period of approximately 1.5–2 months is observed to identify non-establishing seedlings; new seedlings are planted in January–February to replace unsuitable individuals.

Planting System and Spacing

The “clump planting system” is applied in cultivation. Clumps are established at spacing of 6 × 4 m or 6 × 5 m. Between 30 and 40 clumps are placed per decare, with each clump containing 10–14 branches. Planting pits are prepared at least one month in advance with a diameter of 120 cm and a depth of 60 cm. Four to six seedlings are placed around the pit edge, 10 cm inward and spaced 45–50 cm apart. Pollination can be facilitated using the “Yağlı” and “Allahverdi” cultivars.

Pruning and Tree Architecture

No intervention is made during the first growing season after planting. In early spring of the second year, before bud break, seedlings are pruned at soil level and the cut surfaces are sealed with grafting wax. Approximately two months later, only outward-facing shoots are retained; all others are removed.

In subsequent years, branch height and positioning are determined to establish a layered structure. By the end of the fifth year, a central-open, outward-facing structure consisting of six main branches, each bearing two secondary and lateral branches, is formed. Pruning is performed in autumn, coinciding with reduced physiological activity and complete leaf fall. Additionally, due to the clump system, unwanted basal shoots must be removed twice annually, in May–June and September–October. In mature trees, damaged, old, or inward-growing branches are removed and replaced by newly developing shoots.

Soil Management and Fertilization

In the initial phase of orchard establishment, 3–5 tons of farmyard manure per decare are applied to increase organic matter content. In addition to manure, lime is applied based on soil analysis and thoroughly mixed into the soil to a depth of at least 20 cm. Basal fertilization is completed by applying phosphorus and potassium fertilizers directly into the planting pits.

Recommended fertilization methods for mature trees are as follows:

• Nitrogen: Half the recommended amount is applied in March, the remainder in late May. It is broadcast in a 30–40 cm wide band beneath branch tips and incorporated into the soil.
• Phosphorus: Applied every three years, between November and February.
• Potassium: Applied every two to three years; evenly distributed across 16–32 holes at a depth of 15–25 cm.
• Lime: Applied every 3–5 years, between September and November.
• Farmyard manure: Applied every 3–4 years, between November and March, around clump bases.
• Microelements (Mg, Fe, B, etc.): Applied 2–3 times at 15–20 day intervals via foliar spray between May and July, or as a single soil application before leaf emergence.

Weed Control and Harvesting

Due to the high rainfall climate, weed and thistle density is high in orchards. These plants must be cleared before harvest. Gürgentepe Çakıldak Hazelnut is a late-maturing product. Harvest time is set for September.

Indicators of maturity include:

• Shell color turning yellow and reddish,
• Nuts beginning to move freely within the shell,
• At least 75% of the shell surface undergoing color change,
• Most nuts falling from branches when shaken.

Harvesting Methods and Processing

Harvesting is generally done manually, with nuts collected individually from branches. Shaking methods are not used. On gently sloping terrain, nuts dislodged by shaking are collected from the ground. Clusters are transported in baskets or sacks to threshing areas. Threshing areas are typically grassy, slightly sloped, and firm.

Clusters are spread to a thickness of 10–15 cm and sun-dried for 3–5 days, regularly turned. Dried clusters are processed using a hulling machine. Cleaned nuts are then spread on cloth-covered or concrete threshing floors to a depth of 2–4 cm and dried again for 3–4 days. Subsequently, they are cleaned using blowers to remove foreign matter. In the final stage, nuts are bagged, sealed, and prepared for storage or market.

Storage Conditions

The maximum moisture content for shelled hazelnuts is 12%, and for kernels it is 6%. Storage environments must be cool, dry, and well-ventilated. Quality can be preserved for up to one year under these conditions. For long-term storage, environments with temperatures of 2–4.5 °C and relative humidity of 55–60% are preferred. Increased temperature raises the risk of rancidity, while increased humidity increases the likelihood of mold growth.

Monitoring and Protection

Monitoring to ensure the protection of the geographical indication for Gürgentepe Çakıldak Hazelnut is conducted under the coordination of the Ordu Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry. Inspection activities are carried out by a monitoring unit composed of four technical experts from Ordu University Faculty of Agriculture, Gürgentepe District Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, Gürgentepe Chamber of Agriculture, and the Ordu Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry.

These inspections are conducted at least twice annually on a planned schedule. Additional inspections may be carried out without time constraints if required or in response to complaints. Inspection activities are conducted under two main headings:

Orchard Inspections

Under this category, orchards within Gürgentepe district boundaries are inspected to verify that only “Çakıldak” hazelnut trees are cultivated and that propagation, maintenance, and harvesting processes comply with established production methods. Additionally, it is verified that drying operations are conducted within the geographical boundaries.

Product and Market Inspections

Products are inspected for compliance with the physical and chemical properties specified in the technical description (Table 2). The presence and correct application of the “Gürgentepe Çakıldak Fındığı” label along with the geographical indication emblem on packaging or the product itself are also verified.

The monitoring unit may obtain expert support or procure services from public or private institutions as needed. The registering authority is responsible for safeguarding the registered rights and, when necessary, initiating legal proceedings.