Goji Berry (Lycİum spp.) Cultivation in Turkey

Abstract The goji berry (Lycium spp.) belongs to the Solanaceae family. The genus Lycium comprises 87 recognised species and is distributed in arid and semi-arid regions in temperate to subtropical zones in the world. In botanical terms, there are three types of Lycium species known as wolf-berry and commercially grown in the whole world: Lycium barbarum L. (2n = 24), Lycium chinense Miller (n = 12), and Lycium ruthenicum Murray (n = 12). Wolfberry is a herb growing naturally in both the mild and tropical areas of East, Southeast Asia, and Southern Africa. Also known as wolfberry (Lycium spp.), the motherland of wolfberry is China and it can even be grown in the Himalayas, the highest points of Tibet and Mongolia. Recently, in Turkey goji berry became a popular fruit due to its health benefit compounds, especially phenolic compounds (phenolic acids and flavonoids), carotenoids, tocopherol, ascorbic acid and antioxidant properties. The purpose of this study was to conduct a historical assessment of the botanic properties and cultivation of wolfberry plant and to provide information on the types and cultivars grown commonly in Turkey, distribution areas of production, consumption and use as a technologic product, marketing status, benefits for human health, multiplication and production techniques.