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DEPARTMENTS AND DUTIES

Duties of the Department of Plant Pests

The Plant Pests Department has responsibilities within the areas of Antalya, Mersin, Adana, Hatay, Osmaniye, Kahramanmaras, Gaziantep and Kilis provinces. These tasks relate to crop losses caused by harmful groups (insects, mites and nematodes) and research into their control.  In addition to conducting work in accordance with the instructions of the Central Organization of the Ministry of the General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policy, we are undertaking research projects, including those on currently emerging plant pests and their morphological, physiological and ecological characteristics. Considering these characteristics of species identification, diagnosis and comprehensive studies are aimed at helping in their control. In addition, our institute assists the technical staff of the Province of Food, Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Department and helps local producers to solve problems regarding plant pests. Research is also conducted by experts in the nematology and entomology laboratory. Investigation, identification and diagnosis of the distribution, damage thresholds and controlling methods of insects, mites and nematodes are performed in the Department of Plant Pests. For this purpose, research into the problems faced by local producers is a priority issue. The results obtained, together with the technical and scientific publications of the producer institution are then attached to the application. In our laboratory, the internal and external quarantine for certification of the plant material on nematological and entomological aspects of the soil nematode analysis are provided.  Our institute has a mission of technical coordination of controlling sunn pest in our region. 'Plant Protection Technical Instructions', 'Standard Pesticide Trial Methods', 'Integrated Pest Management Technical Instructions' are prepared regarding insects, mites and nematodes, and quarantine factors related to 'Pest Risk Analysis' are developed. Our department researchers serve on our Ministry's 'Plant Protection Products Regulatory Commission' and conduct 'Trials of Biological Activity'. Work carried out on our areas of the project results in scientific papers, scientific meetings (Congresses, Symposiums, etc.), and products for technical personnel, books, brochures and so on. Discussing further phytosanitary issues on radio and television interviews and participating in programs is one of our main duties.

Duties of the Department of Plant Diseases

The Plant Diseases Department performs work in the culture of plants, on biotic diseases and abiotic stress factors arising from the problems in the region where our station has responsibility: Adana, Antalya, Gaziantep, Hatay, Istanbul, Kilis, Mersin and Osmaniye. Those activities are conducted by expert researchers in Mycology, Bacteriology and Virology Laboratories. The technical staff in our department serve to address unsolved problems regarding plant diseases in the province of Food, Agriculture and Livestock Directorate  Our Ministry's Central Organization located in Agricultural Research and Policy General Directorate is conducting research projects, as well as the currently emerging plant disease diagnosis, prevalence, economic importance and controls in related areas. Making our country more efficient in crop production and preserving our available export opportunities is essential. These opportunities are available in terms of the sustainability of our foreign quarantine measures and are of great importance and should be carried out carefully. Our department also carried out related studies in our laboratory and quarantine results are delivered to the relevant points in a short time. Potato certification conducted intensive studies and our producers are required to use a healthy and clean seed. Integrated Pest Management Technical Instructions for the establishment of private trials conducted by organizations monitoring biological activity; issues and results related to our works are presented in scientific articles, at congresses; meetings, to technical staff, in books, brochures and so on; To prepare further phytosanitary issues on radio and television interviews and to participate in programs is one of our main tasks.

Duties of the Department of Biological Control

The Biological control department works on the issue of suppressing the damage threshold of pests, diseases and weed in cultivation crops by using the beneficial organism.Our institute is responsible for Adana, Antalya, Gaziantep, Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, Kilis, Mersin and Osmaniye provinces. The harmful organisms are not eliminated in nature as protection of natural balance, restoration and supportive measures are taken. The first method to be applied in biological control is the protection of natural enemies that exist in nature. The first step for this, especially in chemical control is to avoid the use of broad-spectrum pesticides. In cases where chemical control is mandatory, the use of selective (specific) pesticides should be applied. In addition, in the absence of nutrients in ecosystems, natural or artificial alternatives should be provided, and artificial shelters should be established. Our department helps to conduct biological control studies in crop problems pests that are natural enemies of the parasitoids. Predator detection and recognition by is done by undertaking research with technical staff of the Food, Agriculture and Livestock Provincial Directorate. Our Ministry's Central Organization located in TAGEM is conducting research projects, as well as in recent years providing citrus license in receivables plant protection products. So, a significant contribution to the environment and human health and the country's exports are provided. Our research efforts are directed mainly to application and enforcement in general areas and technical staff training. The results of studies are presented as scientific articles, at conferences and symposiums etc. they are also disseminated by attending meetings.

Duties of the Department of Weed

The Weed Department is charged to solve the problems of weeds in cultivated plants in the provinces of Adana, Antalya, Gaziantep, Hatay, Istanbul, Kilis, Mersin and Osmaniye. The Department mainly deals with interference of weeds, especially the orabanch in cereals, weed problems in wheat herbicides against some weeds that are resistant, Çukurova irrigation water carried by the weeds, allelopathy research in many fields. The Weed Department, under the direction of TAGEM of research deals with emerging weed problems as the solution to current issues are being sought. Research is often planned in order to solve the weed problem; the results can be transferred to other applications. Transfer of the results is often via brochures and booklets. They are distributed to producers and used for training technical staff. The Weed Department also conducts herbicides licensing required for the biological activity of attempts to establish a "Plant Protection Technical Instructions" and "Standard pesticide Trial Methods". It is also involved in the preparation of different products such as the "Integrated Pest Management Technical Instructions. All this is carried out in addition to monitoring private organizations conducting biological activity trials. The weed section reported on the results of the studies to the required congresses. This section also presented worldwide at scientific fora and shared information through published articles, as well as on radio and television. Plant Health issues interviews and participation in related programs are among the main tasks of the weed department.