Kazan Pumpkin

The Kazan melon is an agricultural product unique to the Kahramankazan district of Ankara Province, protected by a registered geographical indication. The product was applied for on 30 July 2020 and officially registered by the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office on 24 May 2021 under registration number 763. The registering authority is the Kahramankazan Municipality. The Kazan melon is characterized by its ellipsoidal or round shape, a dark green rind approaching black, and a surface marked by deep indentations and protrusions. It is cultivated from local varieties, Hasanbey and Yuva, which have adapted to the region’s geographical conditions and are grown through free pollination. A distinguishing feature of the melon is its ability to be stored for extended periods—up to February–March of the following year.

The Kazan melon possesses unique physical and chemical properties. The average fruit weight ranges from 2 to 6 kg, with a diameter of 20–35 cm and a length of 20–32 cm. The rind thickness is 0.7–1 cm, while the flesh thickness measures 3.5–6 cm. The rind is dark green, approaching black, except for the portion in contact with the soil, which appears light yellow and bears a distinctive seal. The stem, approximately 2 cm from the fruit body, curves to form a hook shape. The flesh is highly juicy, low in fiber, and possesses an intense aroma. The pH level ranges from 5.90 to 6.36, and the soluble dry matter content varies between 11.20 and 12.05 °Brix. This high dry matter content results from the combination of high summer temperatures, intense solar radiation, and low rainfall in Kahramankazan. The melon’s maturation period is approximately 100–120 days.

The cultivation of the Kazan melon involves meticulous soil preparation, sowing, maintenance, and harvesting:

• Soil Preparation: Deep plowing is carried out in autumn after the first rains. Cultivators, goble-disks, or disk harrows are used to break up clods. A second soil preparation in February–March renders the land ready for sowing. If necessary, 4–5 tons of well-composted farmyard manure per hectare are applied before plowing.
• Sowing: Sowing typically occurs between 1 and 20 May, once temperatures begin to rise. Rows are spaced 75–100 cm apart, with pits dug at 75–100 cm intervals within each row. Three to four seeds are placed in each pit and covered with 5–6 cm of soil. Seed quantity per hectare is 500–600 g for hand sowing and 150–200 g for mechanical sowing.
• Maintenance and Weeding: When seedlings reach the three-leaf stage, thinning and weed removal are performed through weeding. This process is repeated twice. During weeding, soil is gently mounded around the base of the plants. If fruit density is excessive, fruit thinning is carried out.
• Irrigation: Due to the geographical area’s arid conditions and suitability for dryland farming, the Kazan melon is generally not irrigated. Irrigation during the ripening phase negatively affects the fruit’s sweetness and aroma.
• Crop Rotation and Agricultural Protection: Melon cultivation on the same field must be spaced at 3–4 year intervals, with crops from different plant families grown in between. To combat diseases, fields previously unoccupied by melons are preferred, or melons are planted on the same land only once every seven years.
• Harvesting and Storage: Mature melons are harvested in autumn during early morning or afternoon hours. During harvest, the hook-shaped stem is left attached to the fruit when detached. Collected melons are transported to storage or sales areas without damage and without prolonged exposure to sunlight. Storage occurs in cool, dry, shaded, and low-humidity areas. To prevent direct contact with the soil, straw is placed beneath the melons, and they are periodically turned to ensure long-term preservation.

The geographical boundary of the Kazan melon is limited to the district of Kahramankazan in Ankara Province. The formation of its distinctive characteristics is determined by the region’s lack of water resources, its favorable dryland farming climate, and traditional cultivation methods. Festivals held in the district, the establishment of a dedicated melon market, and the melon statue at the district entrance underscore the cultural significance of the product within its geographical designation.

Compliance with the use of the geographical indication and production standards for the Kazan melon is monitored by a control body established under the coordination of the Kahramankazan Municipality. This body comprises one expert representative each from the Kahramankazan Municipality, the Kahramankazan Subprovince Governor’s Office, the Kahramankazan District Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, and the Kahramankazan Chamber of Agriculture.

Monitoring is conducted annually on a regular basis and may also be carried out at any time upon complaint or necessity. Inspections cover compliance with the production method, physical and sensory characteristics, and the correct usage of the designation “Kazan melon,” its logo, and its geographical indication emblem. The monitoring body may obtain expert support from public or private institutions during inspections. The registering authority conducts legal proceedings to protect the rights granted under the law.