Üsküdar Üniversitesi Vocational School of Health Services organized the 'Generative and Vegetative Production Techniques in Medicinal Plants' event. In the program moderated by Dr. Lecturer Tuğba Kaman, Head of the Medicinal Aromatic Plants Program, Garden Agriculture Technician Mehmet Ali Altıokka took part as a speaker.
“The soil analyses performed are very important”
Mehmet Ali Altıokka, emphasizing the importance of soil analysis before planting on the land, said: “With soil analysis, the amount of nutrients, pH status, and organic matter content in the existing agricultural area can be seen in detail. The analysis sample should not be taken in rainy weather. It is also important not to take the analysis sample from bumpy and hollow areas. Places where animals lie for a long time and areas where too much water accumulates are not suitable for analysis. There are different soil types at the top or bottom of the slope. Attention should also be paid to these. The soil analyses performed are very important.”
“Water is one of the most important parts of production”
Altıokka, speaking about the contributions of water to production, said: “Water is one of the factors that affect yield at the maximum level. Canals at higher levels are noticeable in the stone structures of Anatolia and towns, and these can be supplied to agricultural areas. Rivers and streams are also among the water sources. In agricultural areas with a high groundwater level, if there is a high water content, this situation creates serious losses. For example; species such as lavender, rosemary, sage, and thyme are actually species that can be produced without any irrigation. These are species sensitive to excessive water. It is beneficial to irrigate according to the assets. Drip irrigation system and sprinkler irrigation system are among the applied systems. Water is one of the most important parts of production.”
“There should be no weeds in the plant at harvest time”
Altıokka, listing what needs to be considered for plants during harvest and production, said: “There is no room for weeds inside the plant, in the harvest bag. Regardless of whether it is a spice tea plant or other plants, if these plants get mixed into the harvest, this will cause the entire harvest obtained during the species' production process to be returned by the institutions that receive them. Poisonous parts within are undesirable. Purchasing companies pay attention to this and send the products back as they are. There should be no weeds in the plant at harvest time.”