MSc Thesis Defense: Ezgi Güllü, CHARACTERIZATION OF NOVEL SULFUR-OXIDIZING MESOPHILIC BACTERIA ISOLATED FROM THERMAL SPRINGS IN THE MARMARA REGION AND THEIR BIOFERTILIZER POTENTIAL FOR DURUM WHEAT (TRITICUM DURUM CV. DURUSA), Date & Time: 22 July, 2026 –
CHARACTERIZATION OF NOVEL SULFUR-OXIDIZING MESOPHILIC BACTERIA ISOLATED FROM THERMAL SPRINGS IN THE MARMARA REGION AND THEIR BIOFERTILIZER POTENTIAL FOR DURUM WHEAT (TRITICUM DURUM CV. DURUSA)
Ezgi Güllü
Molecular Biology, Genetics and Bioengineering, MSc Thesis, 2026
Thesis Jury
Prof. Levent Öztürk (Thesis Advisor)
Asst. Prof. Alex Lyakhovich
Asst. Prof. Bahar Yıldız Kutman
Date & Time:22nd, July 2026 – 1.30 PM
Place: FENS L058
Zoom Link: https://sabanciuniv.zoom.us/j/
Keywords: geothermal sources, biochemical characterization, sulfur-oxidizing bacteria, biofertilizer potential, Triticum durum cv. Durusa
Abstract
Geothermal resources host many different microorganisms due to their physicochemical conditions. Although Türkiye possesses numerous geothermal resources worldwide thanks to its geological location, its microbiological potential has not been sufficiently investigated. Sulfur (S), an important macronutrient for plant growth, exhibits low bioavailability in Türkiye due to the arid and alkaline nature of most agricultural soils. Consequently, this significantly affects agricultural yield and quality. This study focuses on the isolation and identification of potential sulfur-oxidizing bacteria (SOB) from geothermal resources located in the Marmara region. The study aims to evaluate the potential of obtained candidate bacterial strains to increase S bioavailability and promote the growth of Triticum durum cv. Durusa plant as a biological fertilizer. A multi-stage method was followed in the research, including field sampling, microbial diversity analysis, bacterial isolation, and identification tests. Greenhouse experiments were also conducted to observe the effects of potential candidate bacterial strains on plant growth. The results showed that the candidate SOB strains positively contributed to plant growth parameters. In addition, the results of biochemical experiments revealed significant metabolic diversity and environmental resilience of the isolates. Furthermore, metagenomic analysis demonstrated the rich microbial diversity of the sampled geothermal resources. This research shows that geothermal resources in Türkiye have the potential to promote plant growth in terms of previously unstudied soil SOB and contributes to the development of microbial applications in agricultural production systems by guiding national research in this field.