Periodicity in Carob Tree (Year of Existence, Year of None)
One of the common situations encountered by carob growers is that the tree yields abundant crops one year and significantly less the next year. This situation, popularly known as the "year of existence – year of none", is called periodicity (alternative or irregular yielding) in horticulture. Sources define carob as a species that shows significant periodicity, especially when growing conditions are poor.
Read MoreHow Does Carob Flowering and Pollination Happen?
Carob is known as the only tree among Mediterranean trees whose main flowering period coincides with autumn. During this period from September to November, small, fragrant flowers bloom on the trunk and old branches; It is pollinated by insects such as bees, flies, hornets and night-flying moths, and partly by wind.
Read MoreFactors Affecting Carob Prices
Carob prices have experienced remarkable increases and fluctuations in producing countries in recent years. There is not a single reason behind these fluctuations; There are many factors that affect each other, such as yield, seed demand, climate, exchange rates, product quality and logistics.
Read MoreMale, Female and Hermaphrodite Carob Trees
Some carob trees do not bear any fruit, while others fill them with pods every year. The main reason for this is that carob is largely a dioecious species: male, female and hermaphrodite flowers are mostly found on separate trees. The male tree does not produce pods, but it provides pollen for female trees to bear fruit.
Read MoreHow Many Years Does the Carob Tree Bear Fruit? Yield and Lifespan
Carob is a long-term tree that requires patience. In gardens established with grafted saplings, the first product usually begins to be obtained a few years after planting; commercially significant yields usually come after the sixth or seventh year. The tree reaches full yield in its 20s and can last more than a hundred years in good conditions.
Read MoreCarob Production in Turkey
Turkey is a country located within the natural distribution area of carob and is home to both wild and grafted carob trees on the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts. According to sources based on TurkStat data, Turkey's carob production increased from 16,256 tons in 2019 to 24,561 tons in 2023, and the production area expanded significantly in the same period.
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