Yozgat Aydıncık Bağrıbütün Melon

Yozgat Province’s Aydıncık district is home to an agricultural product registered with a geographical indication. This product is characterized by seeds firmly attached to the placenta and the clustered arrangement of seed cavities, as well as a yellow, segmented rind. Locally, it is also known as “yer muzu” due to its distinctive taste, aroma, and texture. The serving method—slicing the fruit while leaving the center intact—gave the product its name. It was officially registered by the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office on 25 August 2020.

The flesh of the Yozgat Aydıncık bağrıbütün kavunu is orange in color, fragrant, low in moisture, and has a thin rind. The seeds are strongly attached to the placenta and occur in a clustered arrangement. The fruit rind is segmented and yellow. The plant has long, hairy leaf stalks; a slender, hairy, herbaceous, and jointed stem. The average fruit weight is 921.87±244.10 grams, and the flesh thickness measures 2.82±0.21 centimeters. The soluble dry matter content (SDMC) averages 11.92±1.33%.

The production process begins with plowing the fields in autumn.

• At the end of March or beginning of April, the soil is harrowed to soften it and prepare it for sowing.
• Planting mounds are created in the prepared soil, each fertilized to condition the ground.
• At the end of April or beginning of May, five to six seeds are sown in each mound, with distances between mounds set at 1.5 to 2 meters.
• After germination within one month, thinning and weeding are performed, leaving two sprouts per mound.
• When the sprouts enter the vine development stage, the soil is mixed with fertilizer to accelerate growth.
• Weeding is repeated three or four times at ten-day intervals.
• Once the plants have fruited and reached the maturation stage, a single irrigation is applied.
• Harvesting begins at the end of July or the first week of August and concludes within approximately one and a half months.

The geographical boundary of the Yozgat Aydıncık bağrıbütün kavunu is defined by the district of Aydıncık within Yozgat Province.

Oversight of the product is carried out by a three-member control body established under the coordination of the Aydıncık Municipality. This body consists of one representative each from the Aydıncık Municipality, the Aydıncık District Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, and the Aydıncık Chamber of Agriculture. Inspections may be conducted on an annual scheduled basis, upon complaint, or at any time when deemed necessary.

During inspections, determining characteristics such as the firm attachment of seeds to the placenta, the clustered arrangement of seed cavities, the segmented fruit rind, and the orange flesh color are verified. The control body may seek expert support from public or private institutions during inspection procedures.