Hakan BAŞAK

Dr. Hakan BAŞAK is an Associate Professor in the Department of Horticulture at Ahi Evran University's Faculty of Agriculture, specializing in vegetable cultivation and breeding. His academic journey includes a PhD in Horticulture from Ankara University (2007-2011), an MSc from Ege University (1993-1997), and a BSc from Ege University's Faculty of Agriculture (1989-1993). He holds KPDS English proficiency certification (score: 89, 2006).

His research focuses on:

• Vegetable breeding for stress tolerance (especially salinity)
• Soilless agriculture and hydroponic systems
• Physiological responses to abiotic stresses
• Molecular marker applications in crop improvement
• Sustainable protected cultivation techniques

His 80+ publications predominantly explore stress physiology, vegetable grafting, and molecular breeding in Solanaceae and Cucurbitaceae crops. Recent works (2021-2025) show intensified focus on:

• Salt tolerance mechanisms in rootstocks
• Virus resistance breeding using molecular markers
• Hydroponic system optimizations
• Growth regulator applications

He has supervised 5 PhD and 6 Master's students, primarily working on:

• Salt tolerance screening in cucurbits
• Grafting techniques
• Molecular characterization of local pepper genotypes
• Watermelon rootstock development

As principal investigator, he has led 27 research projects including:

• Development of salt-tolerant rootstocks (TÜBİTAK funded)
• Hydroponic system optimizations
• Molecular marker-assisted selection for disease resistance
• Geothermal greenhouse implementations

He currently serves as Assistant Dean (2017-present) and previously chaired the department (2013-2019).