Department of Horticulture

The department was established in 1995. In addition to educational activities on fruit, vine, vegetable, and industrial plants, various activities such as experimentation, testing, research, development, production, publication, consultation, project planning, and implementation are carried out.

Since the 1998-1999 academic spring semester, a postgraduate program has been offered in the Garden Plants Department.

Graduates of the agricultural engineering program have the opportunity to work in agricultural organizations affiliated with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, enterprises under the Ministry of Forestry, and the private sector related to the field.

Postgraduate Program

Brief Introduction

The Garden Plants Department operates as a part of the Faculty of Agriculture and is dedicated to conducting studies in various scientific disciplines related to garden plants, with a focus on education, research, and development. The department also provides consultancy services to agricultural-based industrial establishments and farmers.

The postgraduate curriculum aims to train students with sufficient and valid knowledge in the field of garden plants, including viticulture, pomology, olericulture, and ornamental plants. The Thesis-based Master's Program allows students to carry out thesis projects to gain practical experience, enhance their skills, acquire new knowledge, and interpret findings. Additionally, the department supports students in various stages of research planning, programming, execution, evaluation, and conclusion. The choice of thesis topics is encouraged to address regional issues and provide economic contributions to farmers and industry.

Equipment and Facilities

The department has established a plant biotechnology laboratory located in the Faculty of Agriculture building. The laboratory is equipped with various instruments, materials, and equipment, including a sterile cabinet for micropropagation, growth, and acclimatization units. Moreover, the department possesses an area of up to 80 acres on the university's grounds, housing a collection block with 10 species of temperate climate fruits and a vineyard area of approximately 15 acres adjacent to the Dicle University Congress Center, consisting mainly of early table grape varieties.

Main Research Areas

The research areas of the department include economically cultivated varieties and economically potential species within the disciplines of viticulture, pomology, olericulture, and ornamental plants. Various studies can be conducted on these materials, focusing on different techniques for propagation, breeding, and cultivation, involving biological, physiological, biotechnological aspects, etc.

Viticulture

Research in modern viticulture covers early table grape varieties, raisin varieties, and grape varieties suitable for winemaking, as well as economically significant local varieties. Moreover, studies can be conducted on the propagation of selected varieties, including bare-root and grafted vine production, and experiments with different combinations of grape varieties using American rootstocks. Traditional vineyards can also be considered for breeding studies.

Pomology

Within the discipline, research can be carried out on temperate climate fruits (both soft and hard-seeded fruits and pome fruits) and subtropical fruits, as well as rootstocks. Topics such as semi-dwarf and dwarf fruit growing techniques, garden establishment, and costs can also be addressed.

Olericulture

The department can undertake various research projects on open-field vegetable cultivation (both seasonal and winter vegetables) and protected vegetable cultivation (low and high plastic tunnels, glass greenhouses). Additionally, scientific, technical, and technological studies on vegetable seed production can be conducted.

Ornamental Plants

Research in this field can cover cut flowers, indoor and outdoor ornamental plants, and natural flower bulbs.

Support Fund

Postgraduate research projects can be supported by the Dicle University Research Project Commission (DUAPK) with funding of 10,000 YTL.

Program and Duration

The Thesis-based Master's Program takes 2-3 years to complete."

Academic Staff