The Azotor Smart fertiliser, developed in collaboration between Konya Sugar and KGTÜ, was unveiled
Source: https://yerel-haberler.haberturk.com/konya-haberleri/konya-seker-ve-kgtu-is-birligiyle-gelistirilen-azotor-smart-gubre-tanitildi-118909150
Azotor Smart, a new-generation fertiliser developed in collaboration between the Konya Sugar Beet Growers’ Cooperative, Konya Food and Agriculture University (KGTÜ) and Konya Sugar, which aims not only to prevent root rot in sugar beet and potatoes but also to boost yields and reduce fertiliser costs, was unveiled at a launch event.
Azotor Smart Microbial Fertiliser, developed in collaboration between the Konya Sugar Beet Growers’ Cooperative, Konya University of Food and Agriculture and Konya Sugar, was introduced to the agricultural sector at a launch event. The launch ceremony for Azotor Smart, a microbial fertiliser developed for sugar beet in Turkey, was attended by Ramazan Erkoyuncu, President of PANKOBİRLİK and Chairman of the Konya Sugar Beet Growers’ Cooperative; Prof. Dr Erol Turan, Rector of Konya University of Food and Agriculture; and Dr Cihan Uzun, Director of the Konya Institute for Soil, Water and Combating Desertification Research Institute, Burak Kırkgöz, Chair of the Konya Branch of the Chamber of Agricultural Engineers, the Chairmen of the Agricultural Chambers, Prof. Dr Mehmet Kılıç, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Konya Food and Agriculture University; Prof. Dr Kubilay Kurtuluş Baştaş, Adviser to Konya Food and Agriculture University; Dr Mustafa Alparslan Umarusman, Head of the Seed and Plant Health Clinic Laboratory at Konya Food and Agriculture University; executives from Konya Sugar; farmers; and staff.
Speaking at the launch event for Azotor Smart – a product that not only prevents root rot in sugar beet and potatoes but also contributes to increased yields – Ramazan Erkoyuncu, General President of PANKOBİRLİK and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Konya Sugar Beet Growers’ Cooperative, noted that the agricultural sector, both globally and in Turkey, is facing increasingly challenging conditions with each passing day, drawing attention to climate change and declining purchasing power. In his statement, Erkoyuncu said:
“Agriculture is an indispensable sector for human survival. However, the seasons are changing, climate crises are occurring, and we farmers are the ones most affected by this situation. Unfortunately, the purchasing power of a kilo of sugar beet today is not the same as it was 30 years ago. Whilst income per unit area is declining, our farmers are seeking ways to harvest their crops in a healthy manner. It is at this point that fertiliser, water, seeds and agricultural research take on great importance. Azotor Smart, patented as a result of long-term research conducted within our university, offers two key functions simultaneously. Azotor Smart protects the plant from diseases whilst simultaneously nourishing the crop, thereby supporting its growth and yield. There is a global effort underway to reduce the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides by 2030. There may be many similar products on the market, but Azotor Smart is a highly valuable development backed by our university’s institutional guarantee. We must move away from chemical pesticides as soon as possible to protect our soil and our health. Azotor Smart will both reduce costs and contribute to sustainable agriculture.”
'A PRODUCT THAT WILL MEET OUR EXPECTATIONS'
Erkoyuncu, a farmer who stated that he had used the product on his fields, said: “I tried the fertiliser called Azotor Smart on my fields. This fertiliser is a product that will meet our expectations. God willing, we will achieve much better results in the coming years. This is our first product; God willing, there will be more to follow. Our university is ready to provide advice and support to our farmers on every matter. On behalf of myself and our producers, I would like to thank all our valued lecturers and our university for their efforts in this process,’ he said.
‘WE ARE PLANNING THE FUTURE OF AGRICULTURE TODAY’
Prof. Dr Mehmet Kılıç, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Konya Food and Agriculture University, stated that Azotor Smart – developed in collaboration with Konya Sugar – was brought to market following approximately 4–5 years of field trials and laboratory studies. Highlighting that agricultural production is becoming increasingly challenging with each passing day, Kılıç noted that the depletion of water resources, rising soil salinity and climate change are directly affecting agriculture, and emphasised that, as KGTÜ, they are planning the future of agriculture today.
Explaining that Azotor Smart is a bacterial product developed entirely in a laboratory setting, Kılıç stated that the product’s official registration process has been completed. Noting that other biological products of a similar nature have also been registered, Kılıç added that they will continue to develop new agricultural technologies in the future.
'SPECIALLY PRODUCED FOR SUGAR BEETS'
Prof. Dr Kubilay Baştaş, R&D Adviser at KGTÜ and Founder of the Seed and Plant Health Laboratory, also stated in his speech at the Azotor Smart launch event that the product developed was the result of years of research, trials and scientific studies. Noting that bacteria are among the most marvellous living organisms created by God in nature, Baştaş said that these organisms had inspired them to develop a new generation of biological products. Explaining that they had carried out a long-term study by meticulously selecting from among trillions of bacteria, Baştaş said, “We never gave up. We worked, researched and carried out trials for years. This product is the result of immense effort and dedication,” he said.
Drawing attention to the effects of climate change on agriculture, Prof. Dr. Baştaş emphasised that the product had been specifically designed for sugar beet, stating, “We have developed an extremely effective product that enhances disease resistance and helps reduce fertiliser and water usage. ‘This work was carried out with our country’s future in mind,’ he added. Noting that bacteria are living organisms and that research in this field will continue, Baştaş thanked the entire team involved, saying, ‘This is just the beginning. We will continue to work to achieve even better results.’
'SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH HAS BEEN TURNED INTO A PRODUCT'
Dr Mustafa Alparslan Umarusman, Head of the Seed and Plant Health Clinic Laboratory at KGTÜ, reported that ‘Azator Smart’—a biological product capable of reducing the use of nitrogen fertiliser in sugar beet by up to 40 per cent—has been made available to farmers following many years of research. Noting that nitrogen-based chemical fertilisers constitute one of the most significant input costs in sugar beet production, Umarusman said that with the biological product they have developed, they aim both to reduce production costs and to support plant health.
Highlighting the significant rise in nitrogen fertiliser prices in recent years, Umarusman said, “Nitrogen fertilisers are the most widely used fertilisers in sugar beet production. The sharp rise in prices has had a negative impact on our producers. We therefore set out to develop a biological product that would reduce the use of chemical nitrogen whilst also supporting plant growth, with the aim of providing a solution to this problem.”
Noting that they have been conducting their research with great diligence, Umarusman added, “The development process for the product we have named ‘Azator Smart’ began entirely in a laboratory setting. Following screenings of thousands of bacteria, we selected two beneficial microorganisms. After many years of laboratory work, we moved on to greenhouse trials and subsequently to field trials. “We are enabling the plant to become more tolerant to drought and other environmental stress factors. At the same time, by supporting root development, we are helping the plant utilise nutrients more effectively,” he added.
Noting that they had achieved significant results in the field trials conducted in the Çumra district of Konya in 2024, Umarusman said, “In the trials we carried out using approximately 1 tonne of product, we observed significant increases in root development despite reducing the use of nitrogen fertiliser by 40 per cent. Following these successful results, we obtained the registration for our product. “Our aim has always been to contribute to science. However, alongside this, we wanted to find solutions to the problems faced by our farmers in sugar beet production, which is of great importance to our region. We are striving to transform scientific research into products that can be used in the field. Azator Smart, for which we have obtained registration, has begun to be used in sugar beet fields in our region. We believe it will make a significant contribution to our producers,” he said.
