Future Prospects of Fruit and vegetable crop Breeding in the Middle East

This study explores the future of fruit and vegetable crop improvement in the Middle East through the integration of traditional breeding techniques with modern agricultural science. Extensive experimental trials were conducted on apricot, sour cherry, tomato, basil, and several other species across diverse ecological zones ranging from the Mediterranean coast (Istanbul) to the mountainous Alborz region (Azerbaijan, Damavand). Soil-based experiments examined the effects of various irrigation types, fertilization regimes, and environmental stress factors. The results revealed remarkable changes in plant resilience, yield quality, and adaptive traits, suggesting that combining ancestral knowledge with modern precision agriculture can significantly enhance crop productivity under shifting climatic conditions. These findings offer strategic insights for future breeding programs aimed at sustaining food security in semi-arid and Mediterranean regions of the Middle East.