Olive growing in Şırnak

Şırnak's olive growing is small in scale but scientifically measured. Genotypes collected from Şırnak/Kumçatı, Şırnak/Kızılsu and Şırnak/Cizre have been studied comparatively against standard varieties such as Ayvalık and Gemlik.

The results show these unnamed genotypes can compete with commercial varieties:

• Kızılsu reaches 24.16 mm fruit length, close to Ayvalık and Gemlik, and at 354.71 g has the highest 100-fruit weight in the study.
• Kumçatı has the highest flesh ratio at 88.06%.
• Cizre and Kumçatı return low peroxide values (1.36 and 1.31) — meaning the oil stands well against oxidation.

Naturally occurring olive trees have also been identified in the Cizre district, and the Nizip Yağlık variety is grown locally.

This is the very centre of the question of the Southeast's unnamed genotypes: absent from registered variety lists, these genotypes prove on measurement to be a serious genetic resource.