Agriculture and industry produce large streams of organic and mineral waste that still hold carbon and nutrients. We test whether these materials can go back into production as soil amendments, substrates or fertilizers, and what they do to soil health, plant growth and the nutrient composition of crops.
Current and recent examples: biochar from the gasification of waste biomass as a sustainable soil amendment (with GÜBRETAŞ); steel slag as a soil amendment and fertilizer in crop production (with Matil); a biochar and perlite substrate made from soilless tomato greenhouse waste to replace imported coconut coir (with Mavruz Tarım, Kale Maden and NG Biyoteknoloji); a biofertilizer based on rice straw and lignocellulolytic bacteria for rice production; and the upcycling of the superabsorbent polymer and cellulose mixture used in diapers for agricultural use. Nutrient recovery from agricultural wastewater completes the loop.
What we have found
The first published result of this line is the biochar work: gasification biochar made from tomato crop residues carries salts and an alkaline pH straight out of the gasifier, but after pre-treatment it performs as a component of soilless seedling substrates. The same logic, characterize the waste, remove what harms the plant, then test it against the conventional material, guides the ongoing work on steel slag, greenhouse waste substrates and rice straw biofertilizers. The publications listed below carry the details.
Projects in this area
All projectsDuckweed as a functional food and a biostimulant for sustainable food and circular agriculture
Started in 2026 with YÖK ADEP support, the project looks at a fast-growing aquatic plant both as a food source and as a biostimulant for crops.
Biotechnology and Bioeconomy Cluster (BİKÜME)
A cluster that brings companies, universities and institutions in biotechnology and the bioeconomy together; it started at GTÜ in November 2025.
A biofertilizer based on rice straw and lignocellulolytic bacteria to improve soil health and yield in rice production
Turning rice straw and lignocellulolytic bacteria into a biofertilizer for healthier paddy soils and higher rice yields.
A biochar and perlite substrate from soilless tomato greenhouse waste to replace imported coconut coir
A sustainable substrate made from greenhouse tomato waste and perlite, as a domestic alternative to imported coconut coir.
Upcycling the superabsorbent polymer and cellulose mixture of diapers for agricultural applications
Giving the superabsorbent polymer and cellulose mixture of diapers a second life in agriculture; with Evyap.
Investigation of the potential of iron and steel slag for use as a soil amendment and fertilizer in crop production
Electric-arc-furnace slag was tried at several doses on wheat and lettuce, weighing what it adds against what it risks; with Matil.
Biochar from waste biomass gasification as a sustainable soil amendment
Biochar left over from gasifying oak wood waste was mixed into soil in pot trials, and its effect on plant growth and soil properties measured. With GÜBRETAŞ.