Çilek Yetiştiriciliğinde Plastik Kullanımı ve Mikroplastik Kirliliği: Üretici Algı ve Tutumları

Öz

Tarımda plastik kullanımının artması, toprak ekosistemlerinde mikroplastik (MP) kirliliği konusunda ciddi endişelere yol açmaktadır. Bu çalışma, Türkiye’nin yoğun örtü altı üretim bölgelerinden biri olan Mersin ili Anamur ve Bozyazı ilçesinde üreticilerin toprak mikroplastik kirliliğine yönelik bilgi, algı ve tutumlarını belirlemek için yürütülmüştür. 2022 yılında 37 çilek ve muz üreticisiyle yüz yüze anketler yapılmıştır. Bulgular, üreticilerin genel çevre bilincinin nispeten yüksek olmasına karşın, mikroplastiklere dair bilgi düzeylerinin oldukça sınırlı olduğunu göstermiştir. Anket sonuçlarına göre üreticilerin %70.3’ünün mikroplastikler hakkında hiçbir fikri olmadığı belirlenmiştir. Buna rağmen, çevresel zararların azaltılmasının gerekliliği konusunda ortak görüşe sahip oldukları, eğitim (%83.8) ve teşviklerin (%70.3) bu konuda etkili araçlar olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Atık plastiklerin açıkta yakılması (%10.8) ve araziye bırakılması (%5.4) gibi yanlış yönetim uygulamaları, potansiyel mikroplastik kirliliği kaynaklarını ortaya koymaktadır. Eğitim düzeyi ile çevresel davranışlar arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı ilişkiler olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Bulgular, tarımda plastik kullanımına bağlı çevresel risklerin azaltılması için farkındalık kampanyaları, sürdürülebilir atık yönetimi stratejileri ve politika müdahalelerinin gerekliliğini ortaya koymaktadır. Bu çalışma, Türkiye’de toprakta mikroplastik farkındalığını üretici düzeyinde ele alan ilk saha araştırmalarından biri olup, yerel ve ulusal düzeyde mikroplastik kirliliği ile mücadele stratejilerine katkı sağlamayı hedeflemektedir. Ancak çalışma sınırlı sayıda üreticiyle yürütülmüş bir araştırmadır. Sonuçlar genellenebilir nitelikte olmayıp, üretici eğilimlerini ortaya koymayı amaçlamaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Mikroplastikler
• Üretici Algısı
• Toprak Kirliliği
• Türkiye
• Tarımsal Plastik

Plastic Use and Microplastic Pollution in Strawberry Cultivation: Producer Perceptions and Attitudes

Öz

The increasing use of plastics in agriculture has raised serious concerns about microplastic (MP) pollution in soil ecosystems. This study aimed to determine the knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes of producers regarding soil microplastic pollution in the Anamur and Bozyazı districts of Mersin province, two of the most intensive protected cultivation (greenhouse) regions in Türkiye. In 2022, face-to-face surveys were conducted with 37 strawberry and banana producers. The findings revealed that although the producers demonstrated relatively high levels of general environmental awareness, their knowledge of microplastics was quite limited. According to the survey results, 70.3% of the producers had no knowledge of microplastics. Nevertheless, there was a strong consensus on the need to reduce environmental damage, and education (83.8%) and incentives (70.3%) were identified as effective tools to achieve this goal. Improper waste management practices, such as open burning of waste plastics (10.8%) and leaving them on agricultural land (5.4%), were identified as potential sources of microplastic pollution. Statistically significant relationships were found between education level and environmentally responsible behaviors. The findings highlight the need for awareness campaigns, sustainable waste management strategies, and policy interventions to mitigate the environmental risks associated with plastic use in agriculture. This study represents one of the first field-based investigations in Türkiye to address soil microplastic awareness at the producer level and aims to contribute to local and national strategies to combat microplastic pollution. However, the study was conducted with a limited number of producers; therefore, the results are not generalizable but rather intended to reveal prevailing producer trends

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Microplastics
• Farmer Perceptions
• Soil Pollution
• Turkiye
• Agricultural Plastic

Kaynakça

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