Lantana camara L. is used extensively in many countries as an ornamental plant species but limited information is provided about the fertilization of this plant, especially after treatments with the triazole paclobutrazol (PBZ). The effects of drenched-applied PBZ at concentrations of 0, 40, and 80 mg L-1 on specific leaf area (SLA) and leaf N, P, K, and Mg concentrations of L. camara L. subsp. camara (lantana) plants were examined under different environmental conditions, resulted from different shading levels, 0% (daily light quantity of 27.8 mol m-2 d-1) and 66% (9.4 mol m-2 d-1) in glasshouse experiments in Attica, Greece. The concentration of leaf N was affected by the PBZ treatment (P < 0.01), while the shading level affected K and Mg concentration (P < 0.01). Plants treated with the same PBZ concentration presented higher SLA with 66% shading compared to 0% shading. The more the PBZ concentration, the lower and the higher were the SLA and leaf N respectively, at both shading levels. Leaf P, in general, increased with increasing PBZ concentration and shading as did K and Mg at 66% shading compared to 0% shading. At the end of the experiment all plants were healthy with no visible symptoms of nutritional deficiency. The findings of our study could be useful in establishing a fertilization program for L. camara plants treated with different drenched-applied PBZ concentrations under various environments

Ajuga orientalis L. is a widespread plant species in many countries, such as Greece, Italy and Turkey, with promising aesthetic value in the field and in landscape design, but nothing is known about its phenology, from a detailed, quantitatively, point of view, in relation to meteorological variables. Thus, under the aforementioned context, the purpose of our work is the elucidation of part of the phenology of this plant, especially concerning its flowering. To achieve this, the phenological stage ‘Beginning of flowering’, in terms of its start dates (julian days), was investigated in relation to average air temperature (T) of March in two areas, Roudi and Kaboulieri at north-northwest and south-southeast slopes, respectively, of Mount Aenos, Cephalonia, Greece, for three successive years (2014-2016). From the analysis of the T of March, it was confirmed that Kaboulieri area was significantly warmer (P<0.05) than Roudi area by 0.8 oC both in 2014 and 2015, with a significantly earlier appearance (P<0.05) of ‘Beginning of flowering’ of A. orientalis in Kaboulieri, ranging from 9.1 (2015) to 10.9 (2014) julian days. The findings of our study could be used for the planning of an efficient preservation program process of the aforementioned plant species in a vulnerable mountainous environment, such as the Mount Aenos environment, as well as for its further exploitation as a decorative plant.

Topography and canopy play a decisive role on air temperature (T) conditions in forested areas. Air temperature is a crucial factor in decision making process for the development of these areas. To our knowledge, there is no information regarding the effect of topography along with canopy cover (Pc) on thermal conditions of a vulnerable mountainous forested region of Greece, Mount (Mt) Aenos in the island of Cephalonia, Ionian Islands, Greece. Therefore, the purpose of our work is the investigation of the aforementioned parameters, especially the effect of altitude (alt) and Pc on T of Mt Aenos. Mean values for maximum air temperature (Tx) and Pc were estimated for twelve sites at various alts in Mt Aenos during the period May-October of three consecutive years (2011-2013). The analysis of the results showed that Tx was related to alt and Pc. Altitude has a greater effect on T in relation to Pc. When examining same or similar alts, an increase of Pc up to 51% resulted in a significant decrease of Tx (p<0.05) up to 3.6 °C. Our findings could be taken into account in planning the construction of hiking trails for recreational activities in Mt Aenos, and, in general, in mountainous forest areas of special importance.

Air temperature (T) data were estimated in the regions of Nea Smirni, Penteli, and Peristeri, in the greater Athens area, Greece, using the T data of a reference station in Penteli. Two artificial neural network approaches were developed. The first approach, MLP1, used the T as input parameter and the second, MLP2, used additionally the time of the corresponding T. One site in Nea Smirni, three sites in Penteli, from which two are located in the Pentelikon mountain, and one site in Peristeri were selected based on different land use and altitude. T data were monitored in each site for the period between December 1, 2009, and November 30, 2010. In this work the two extreme seasons (winter and summer) are presented. The results showed that the MLP2 model was better (higher and lower MAE) than MLP1 for the T estimation in both winter and summer, independently of the examined region. In general, MLP1 and MLP2 models provided more accurate T estimations in regions located in greater distance (Nea Smirni and Peristeri) from the reference station in relation to the nearby Pentelikon mountain. The greater distance T estimations, in most cases, were better in winter compared to summer.

The effects of mepiquat chloride (MC) (0, 500 and 1000 mg l-1) on specific leaf area (SLA) and leaf potassium (K), phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) content of Lantana camara L. plants were examined under 0% and 66% shading levels. All examined parameters and Fe were affected significantly by MC at 66% and 0% shading, respectively. MC decreased SLA of lantana compared to the control (0 mg l-1) irrespective of shading level with no significant differences in general. Increased SLA values were estimated with increased shading. K was increased significantly after spraying with MC at 1000 mg l-1, to a maximum, at 66% shading, compared to 0 mg l-1. P and Fe contents, in general, augmented as MC concentration increased. Mn remained stable with the increasing MC concentrations at 0% shading. On the other hand, Ca and Mn exhibited a significant peak after spray with MC concentration at 500 mg l-1, followed by a slight reduction, at the highest concentration, at 66% shading. K, P and Fe, in most cases, increased significantly, while Ca and Mn, in general, decreased, as shading increased. Our results could aid towards a fertilization program for lantana plants.