An Innovative Contribution to Turkish Agriculture from KGÜ: Azotor Smart, the Result of Years of Scientific Research, Is Now Available to Farmers

Konya University of Food and Agriculture (KGTÜ) has achieved yet another significant milestone in line with its vision of transforming scientific knowledge and technology into agricultural production. Azotor Smart Microbial Fertilizer, developed in collaboration with the Konya Sugar Beet Growers Cooperative and Konya Sugar, was introduced to the public at a launch event.

Developed over approximately five years as a result of scientific studies conducted in laboratory, greenhouse, and field conditions, Azotor Smart stands out as an innovative biological product that significantly reduces the use of nitrogen-based chemical fertilizers in sugar beets while supporting plant growth, providing protection against root diseases, and contributing to increased yields. As the first microbial fertilizer developed specifically for sugar beets in Turkey—and with no equivalent currently available in Europe—this product elevates the research to the status of a major scientific achievement on an international scale.

The launch event, held at the Konya Sugar Campus, was attended by Ramazan Erkoyuncu, President of PANKOBİRLİK and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Konya Sugar Beet Growers Cooperative; Prof. Dr. Erol Turan, Rector of Konya Food and Agriculture University; Prof. Dr. Mehmet Kılıç, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at KGTÜ, Prof. Dr. Kubilay Kurtuluş Baştaş, Advisor to KGTU; Dr. Mustafa Alparslan Umarusman, Director of the Seed and Plant Health Clinic Laboratory at KGTU; representatives of public institutions; academics; industry representatives; and producers.

Bringing Scientific Knowledge to the Field

The challenges facing the agricultural sector—including climate change, rising production costs, and the need for sustainable production—make the development of new technologies imperative. In this context, research conducted by KGTÜ continues to evolve into innovative solutions that producers can use directly, rather than remaining limited to academic publications.

Azotor Smart stands out as a concrete example of this approach. This microbial fertilizer, developed to enhance the effectiveness of beneficial microorganisms naturally present in the plant’s root zone, supports root development, enables the plant to utilize nutrients more efficiently, and strengthens its resilience against environmental stress conditions. In this way, it contributes both to reducing production costs and to the widespread adoption of environmentally friendly agricultural practices.

Ramazan Erkoyuncu: “Science Will Be the Farmer’s Greatest Strength”

Speaking at the program’s opening ceremony, Ramazan Erkoyuncu, General President of PANKOBİRLİK and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Konya Sugar Beet Growers Cooperative, stated that scientific research will play a decisive role in the future of the agricultural sector.

Noting that climate change directly affects production, Erkoyuncu said that in the face of rising costs, farmers’ greatest need is for technologies that increase productivity, reduce costs, and conserve natural resources.

Describing Azotor Smart as an important initiative that addresses this need, Erkoyuncu noted that they had tested the product on their own farmlands and were satisfied with the results. Highlighting the great importance of the university and producers working toward the same goal, Erkoyuncu congratulated all researchers and academics involved in the project.

Prof. Dr. Mehmet Kılıç: “We Are Strengthening the ‘University as a Producer’ Model”

Prof. Dr. Mehmet Kılıç, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at KGTÜ, stated that universities should not only be institutions that generate knowledge but also research centers that develop solutions to societal needs.

Noting that Azotor Smart is one of the successful examples of this approach, Kılıç said they were very pleased that the product—developed after approximately five years of intensive research—is now available to producers.

Emphasizing that the importance of biological products in the future of agriculture will continue to grow, Kılıç stated that KGTU will continue to develop new projects in the fields of biotechnology, plant health, and sustainable agriculture.

Prof. Dr. Kubilay Kurtuluş Baştaş: “Behind Every Success Lies Patience and Science”

Prof. Dr. Kubilay Kurtuluş Baştaş, Advisor at KGTÜ and Founder of the Seed and Plant Health Laboratory, noted that Azotor Smart was not a project that emerged overnight, stating that the product was the result of years of research and disciplined scientific work.

Noting that the potential offered by beneficial bacteria in nature has been studied for many years, Baştaş explained that thousands of microorganisms were examined in the laboratory, and the bacteria that would contribute most to agricultural production were selected from among them.

Baştaş noted that the developed product is a significant biotechnological investment that will contribute not only to today’s agriculture but also to the agriculture of the future, adding that similar efforts will continue to grow.

Dr. Mustafa Alparslan Umarusman: “The Journey That Began in the Laboratory Has Bearing Fruit in the Farmer’s Field”

Dr. Mustafa Alparslan Umarusman, Laboratory Director at the KGTÜ Seed and Plant Health Clinic, who led the research on the development of the microbial fertilizer, detailed the product’s development process, explaining that the primary goal of the scientific research is to produce lasting solutions to the problems faced by producers.

Umarusman noted that the significant increases in the prices of nitrogen-based chemical fertilizers, particularly in recent years, have placed immense economic pressure on farmers, and said they began their research with the aim of developing a sustainable and environmentally friendly solution to this problem.

Umarusman explained that in the initial phase of the research, thousands of beneficial bacterial isolates found in nature were analyzed individually in a laboratory setting, and that microorganisms with high potential for supporting plant growth, facilitate nitrogen fixation, enhance root development, and suppress disease-causing agents were identified following extensive evaluations.

Emphasizing that the selected bacteria were not evaluated based solely on laboratory results, Umarusman said that during the product’s development process, numerous performance analyses were conducted through greenhouse trials and field applications under various climate and soil conditions.

Umarusman noted that Azotor Smart, developed as a result of years of research, strengthens the plant’s root system, enables more efficient utilization of nutrients, and increases resilience to drought and environmental stress, while also supporting beneficial microbial life in the root zone to enhance plant health.

Umarusman noted that highly successful results were achieved in extensive field trials conducted in 2024 in the Çumra district of Konya; he stated that despite a 40 percent reduction in nitrogen fertilizer use, there was no loss in yield, but rather that significant improvements in root development and plant performance were observed.

Umarusman said, “We didn’t just produce a new fertilizer. We transformed scientific research into a technology that farmers can directly benefit from. This process, which began in our university’s laboratories, is now bearing fruit in the fields. Our goal is to enable our farmers to produce more efficiently at lower costs, preserve the soil’s biological balance, and leave a more sustainable agricultural infrastructure for future generations,” he said.

Noting that the registration process for Azotor Smart has been successfully completed, Umarusman stated that their next goal is to develop new-generation biological solutions for various agricultural products, adding that KGTÜ’s work in the field of agricultural biotechnology will continue unabated.

Science, Production, and Industry Converge on a Common Goal

Konya Food and Agriculture University continues to set successful examples of university-industry collaboration by translating the projects it has developed through its research-oriented educational approach into practical applications.

Azotor Smart is not merely a new agricultural product; it stands out as a significant R&D success that demonstrates how scientific knowledge can be transformed into economic value. KGTU remains committed to addressing the needs of producers and contributing to Turkey’s vision for sustainable agriculture through the innovative biotechnological solutions it has developed.