In the R&D greenhouse of our university, cut roses are grown from waste mushroom compost and nut shell wastes by using geothermal resources. The project of Kırşehir Ahi Evran University is aimed to create an alternative to the high costed cocopeat, which is the coconut fiber that is frequently used in the world and in Turkey.
The project, carried out by the Faculty of Agriculture, Asst. Prof. Dr. Bahadır Altun, aims to investigate the possibilities of using different organic wastes as a growing medium in soilless agricultural cut rose cultivation. Stating that cut roses were in the 3rd place after carnations and gerberas in terms of production amount of cut flowers grown in our country, Altun stated that while the production area of cut flower roses was 2 355 953 m2 in 2020, it increased to 2 645 110 m2 in 2021. Altun stated that while 93 274 056 roses were cut from these areas in 2020, 101 204 410 roses were cut in 2021. Informing that 61,292 dollars were obtained from the export of cut roses according to TUIK figures for 2021, Dr. Altun said that the import of cut roses was 2,043,114 dollars in the same year.
We Aim to Reduce Input Costs and Increase Yield in Cut Rose Cultivation
After giving information about the cut rose production areas and the import-export balances, Altun said the following about the project: ''In the production of cut roses in soilless agriculture, both organic (cocopeat, turf, etc.), and inorganic (rockwool, pumice stone, perlite, etc.) growing mediums can be used. Although it varies according to the countries, one of the most used of the mediums is the cocopeat. Today, the unit price of the cocopeat is around $2.5/slab. The price increases the input cost of cut rose cultivation in our country considerably. In our study, the possibilities of using some natural organic wastes in our country as an alternative growing medium for the cockpit were investigated. As a result of the study, which lasted about 1.5 years, it was determined that the waste mushroom compost and nut skin shell, which has almost no use today, gave a higher yield than the cocopeat. With this study, which is currently on the stage of publication, a basis has been established for future studies.”
Prof. Dr. Vatan Karakaya: "Our Country has a Geographical Location that could be a Bridge for Many Markets"
Stating that they had been investigating whether different organic wastes could be used as a medium in soilless rose cultivation with the project, Rector of KAEU Prof. Dr. Vatan Karakaya stated that our country had a geographical location with climatic features that could serve as a bridge for many markets and allow production throughout the year. Karakaya also stated that they were in an advantageous position in the sector of ornamental plants compared to many countries, with our young population and the presence of natural energy sources such as geothermal energy. Rector Karakaya, who added that they experienced a disadvantage because of most of the inputs used in the production of ornamental plants due to factors such as external dependency, stated that they had R&D opportunities and academic knowledge to overcome this disadvantage.