Thyme Formula as an Alternative to Chemical Pesticides in Agricultural Pest Control
· GıdaTarım
Plant pathology expert Prof. Dr. Oktay Yeğen called for the development of domestic, thyme-based biological control solutions to replace chemical pesticides against global agricultural product losses.
Academic Accumulation and Natural Resources
Prof. Dr. Oktay Yeğen, a retired faculty member of Akdeniz University's Faculty of Agriculture, drew attention to Turkey's rich biological potential by sharing his years of experience in plant diseases and phytopathology. After completing his doctoral studies at the University of Göttingen, Germany, Yeğen focused his research on natural compounds that would reduce the harm of synthetic chemicals. He emphasized the need to integrate the traditional use of thyme oil, observed in his childhood in the Akseki region, with modern science. Retired Faculty Member and Pathologist Prof. Dr. Oktay Yeğen made the following statement on the subject:
"We have a vast natural resource waiting to be researched and developed. Let's bring it together with science."
The Necessity of Pest Control in Agricultural Production
Stating that completely abandoning agricultural pest control in plant production is not possible for food supply, Prof. Dr. Oktay Yeğen noted that it is mandatory for producers to consciously combat harmful organisms, disease agents, and weeds. According to the data released, approximately one-third of the agricultural products grown worldwide are lost before harvest due to these diseases and pests. This high rate of crop loss necessitates the uninterrupted continuation of protection measures and control, while the nature of the methods applied and their impact on ecological balances are of vital importance.
Natural Alternatives Against Synthetic Chemicals
Retired Faculty Member Prof. Dr. Oktay Yeğen stated that plant-derived active ingredients should be commercialized to reduce the risks associated with the use of chemical pesticides, and made the following assessment:
"Turkey needs to be a country that not only consumes but also produces and develops technology."
The development of biological and plant-based preparations that can replace synthetic pesticides increases food security and contributes to the sustainability of the agricultural sector. Processing and formulating the antimicrobial and antifungal properties of medicinal aromatic plants like thyme with domestic technology is among the strategic steps that will reduce external dependency.