Erdoğan Yanılmaz, Edirne Provincial Representative of the Chamber of Agricultural Engineers of the Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB), underlined that if fast interventions are not carried out against the "genus loxostege pest" seen in sunflower fields in Thrace, severe damage can occur, and said, "If the genus loxostege infestation cannot be prevented, a decrease of nearly 40 percent may be experienced in the yield. This situation will definitely have a negative impact on sunflower oils."
The sunflower plants, which dyed the fields yellow, were invaded by the genus loxostege pest. Experts say that the genus loxostege pest which eats rapidly from the lowest leaf to the upper part of the sunflower, multiplies very quickly and can cause heavy damage to the land as a population. This causes a decrease in productivity. The Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB) Edirne Provincial Representative of the Chamber of Agricultural Engineers Erdogan Yanılmaz made remarks on our newspaper.
“IT WILL REFLECT ON THE SUNFLOWER OIL NEGATIVELY”
Stating that if genus loxostege pest invasion is not prevented, there may be a decrease of nearly 40 percent in the yield, Erdoğan Yanılmaz added, “If the genus loxostege pest invasion cannot be prevented and causes heavy damage, it is very difficult to reach the expected target in the sunflower yield. This animal can consume its green parts within 24-48 hours. If there are 3-5 seeds on an average stem or more than 20 seeds per square meter, spraying is definitely required. Otherwise, genus loxostege pest can finish green at overdrive. The plants then turn to dry. This will certainly have a negative impact on sunflower oils. That's what we expect as well. As a ministry, there is no effort to increase the cultivation areas. As the Chamber of Agriculture, we also say that price policies should be determined in advance in order to increase subsidies, encourage farmers with supports, and most importantly, increase the sunflower cultivation areas, and we are struggling for this.”
“IT NEEDS TO ACT FAST”
Underlining the need for the authorities to intervene quickly, Yanılmaz said, “Especially in the last months, There is an oil shortage due to the war in Ukraine. At the moment, we think that efficiency may decrease in areas that have suffered a lot of damage. This genus loxostege pest has now been spotted in many areas with green accents. Speed is essential for the authorities' aerial spraying efforts to be effective. It is necessary to act more quickly on the measures. The genus loxostege pest case, which has also been seen in previous years, has nothing to do with inadequate spraying. It's a natural process. Just as in previous years, there is a case of genus loxostege pest in sunflowers, just as there was sunn pest in wheat this year.”
“CLOSE TO 40 PERCENT REDUCTION CAN BE EXPERIENCED”
Stating that there has been a much higher increase in genus loxostege pest cases this year compared to previous periods, Yanılmaz added, “When genus loxostege pest release their larvae, they transform into caterpillars in 4-6 days. Then it turns into a butterfly and starts eating from the lowest leaf during the flowering period of the sunflower. It continues up to the top of the sunflower. There may be a decrease of up to 40 percent in the yield. It is both increasing fast and it is causing heavy damage to the land as a population.”