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Dr. Athanasios Koukounaras
Laboratory of Vegetable Crops, School of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece

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0 LED
0 organic production
0 floating system
0 Seedlings
0 vegetables quality

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Seedlings
LED
floating system
postharvest handling of leafy vegetables
PFAL

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Journal article
Published: 20 May 2021 in Agriculture
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Rocket and spinach baby leaves are valuable commodities since they are basic components of popular ready-made salads. Two methods may follow after harvesting: establishment of new cultivations or successive revegetations and harvests. This study aimed to investigate the yield and nutritional value of rocket and spinach baby leaves after individual cultivations or successive revegetations in a floating system to improve their production strategy. The crops were cultivated in a greenhouse for seven weeks using a floating system with an adjusted nutrient solution. The leaves were either harvested and immediately replaced with a new set of plants (control) or harvested and placed again in the same tank in order to revegetate (revegetation). Revegetated rocket baby leaves in five cuts produced similar yield, with greater antioxidant capacity (DPPH scavenging activity) and total phenolic content, and greater nitrate content (eight times below the maximum allowed by EU) compared to control. Revegetated spinach produced more yield with enhanced antioxidant activity and total phenolic content and the same nitrate content compared to the control. Colour was not affected in either crop, thus eliminating the possibility for market rejection. Production efficiency was increased, as shown by the yields and the reduced resources provided in the revegetation tank. Thus, successive harvesting and revegetation are suggested for increased production efficiency and quality of rocket and spinach baby leaves.

ACS Style

Filippos Bantis; Chrysos Kaponas; Charalambos Charalambous; Athanasios Koukounaras. Strategic Successive Harvesting of Rocket and Spinach Baby Leaves Enhanced Their Quality and Production Efficiency. Agriculture 2021, 11, 465 .

AMA Style

Filippos Bantis, Chrysos Kaponas, Charalambos Charalambous, Athanasios Koukounaras. Strategic Successive Harvesting of Rocket and Spinach Baby Leaves Enhanced Their Quality and Production Efficiency. Agriculture. 2021; 11 (5):465.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Filippos Bantis; Chrysos Kaponas; Charalambos Charalambous; Athanasios Koukounaras. 2021. "Strategic Successive Harvesting of Rocket and Spinach Baby Leaves Enhanced Their Quality and Production Efficiency." Agriculture 11, no. 5: 465.

Review
Published: 06 May 2021 in Genes
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Ascorbic acid (AsA) is an essential multifaceted phytonutrient for both the human diet and plant growth. Optimum levels of AsA accumulation combined with balanced redox homeostasis are required for normal plant development and defense response to adverse environmental stimuli. Notwithstanding its moderate AsA levels, tomatoes constitute a good source of vitamin C in the human diet. Therefore, the enhancement of AsA levels in tomato fruit attracts considerable attention, not only to improve its nutritional value but also to stimulate stress tolerance. Genetic regulation of AsA concentrations in plants can be achieved through the fine-tuning of biosynthetic, recycling, and transport mechanisms; it is also linked to changes in the whole fruit metabolism. Emerging evidence suggests that tomato synthesizes AsA mainly through the l-galactose pathway, but alternative pathways through d-galacturonate or myo-inositol, or seemingly unrelated transcription and regulatory factors, can be also relevant in certain developmental stages or in response to abiotic factors. Considering the recent advances in our understanding of AsA regulation in model and other non-model species, this review attempts to link the current consensus with novel technologies to provide a comprehensive strategy for AsA enhancement in tomatoes, without any detrimental effect on plant growth or fruit development.

ACS Style

Ifigeneia Mellidou; Athanasios Koukounaras; Stefanos Kostas; Efstathia Patelou; Angelos Kanellis. Regulation of Vitamin C Accumulation for Improved Tomato Fruit Quality and Alleviation of Abiotic Stress. Genes 2021, 12, 694 .

AMA Style

Ifigeneia Mellidou, Athanasios Koukounaras, Stefanos Kostas, Efstathia Patelou, Angelos Kanellis. Regulation of Vitamin C Accumulation for Improved Tomato Fruit Quality and Alleviation of Abiotic Stress. Genes. 2021; 12 (5):694.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ifigeneia Mellidou; Athanasios Koukounaras; Stefanos Kostas; Efstathia Patelou; Angelos Kanellis. 2021. "Regulation of Vitamin C Accumulation for Improved Tomato Fruit Quality and Alleviation of Abiotic Stress." Genes 12, no. 5: 694.

Journal article
Published: 12 February 2021 in Plants
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Grafting is the main means of propagation for watermelon crops. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether light quality during graft healing variably affects different scion × rootstock genotype combinations. Two watermelon hybrid scions (Sunny Florida F1 and Celine F1) and two interspecific squash rootstocks (Radik and TZ-148) were used, and four scion × rootstock genotype combinations derived. After grafting, we tested seven light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which provided narrow-band red (R) and blue (B); R-B with 36% (36B), 24% (24B), and 12% (12B) blue; 12B with additional far-red (12B+FR); and white (W), in a healing chamber. In three genotype combinations, shoot length, leaf area, and shoot biomass were mainly enhanced under red-blue LEDs, while stem diameter was greater under R. In contrast, dry weight of roots, Dickson’s quality index, and ratio of shoot dry weight/length were variably affected in each genotype combination. From the results, it is concluded that light treatments differentially affected each genotype combination, but some parameters involving biomass production show genotypic dependency.

ACS Style

Filippos Bantis; Christodoulos Dangitsis; Athanasios Koukounaras. Influence of Light Spectra from LEDs and Scion × Rootstock Genotype Combinations on the Quality of Grafted Watermelon Seedlings. Plants 2021, 10, 353 .

AMA Style

Filippos Bantis, Christodoulos Dangitsis, Athanasios Koukounaras. Influence of Light Spectra from LEDs and Scion × Rootstock Genotype Combinations on the Quality of Grafted Watermelon Seedlings. Plants. 2021; 10 (2):353.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Filippos Bantis; Christodoulos Dangitsis; Athanasios Koukounaras. 2021. "Influence of Light Spectra from LEDs and Scion × Rootstock Genotype Combinations on the Quality of Grafted Watermelon Seedlings." Plants 10, no. 2: 353.

Editorial
Published: 24 December 2020 in Horticulturae
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Greenhouse horticulture is one of the most intensive agricultural systems, with the advantages of environmental parameter control (temperature, light, etc.), higher efficiency of resource utilization (water, fertilizers, etc.) and the use of advanced technologies (hydroponics, automation, etc.) for higher productivity, earliness, stability of production and better quality. On the other hand, climate change and the application of high inputs without suitable management could have negative impacts on the expansion of the greenhouse horticulture sector. This special issue gathers twelve papers: three reviews and nine of original research. There is one review that focuses on irrigation of greenhouse crops, while a second surveys the effects of biochar on container substrate properties and plant growth. A third review examines the impact of light quality on plant–microbe interactions, especially non-phototrophic organisms. The research papers report both the use of new technologies as well as advanced cultivation practices. In particular, new technologies are presented such as dye-sensitized solar cells for the glass cover of a greenhouse, automation for water and nitrogen deficit stress detection in soilless tomato crops based on spectral indices, light-emitting diode (LED) lighting and gibberellic acid supplementation on potted ornamentals, the integration of brewery wastewater treatment through anaerobic digestion with substrate-based soilless agriculture, and application of diatomaceous earth as a silica supplement on potted ornamentals. Research studies about cultivation practices are presented comparing different systems (organic-conventional, aeroponic-nutrient film technique (NFT)-substrate culture), quantitative criteria for determining the quality of grafted seedlings, and of wild species as alternative crops for cultivation.

ACS Style

Athanasios Koukounaras. Advanced Greenhouse Horticulture: New Technologies and Cultivation Practices. Horticulturae 2020, 7, 1 .

AMA Style

Athanasios Koukounaras. Advanced Greenhouse Horticulture: New Technologies and Cultivation Practices. Horticulturae. 2020; 7 (1):1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Athanasios Koukounaras. 2020. "Advanced Greenhouse Horticulture: New Technologies and Cultivation Practices." Horticulturae 7, no. 1: 1.

Research article
Published: 21 December 2020 in Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture
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BACKGROUND A floating system is a suitable low‐cost hydroponic method for growing baby leaf vegetables. Among other, an important characteristic of the system is the use of large volume of nutrient solution which is characterized by high heat capacity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different root‐zone temperatures on baby leaves of lettuce and rocket plants grown in a floating system under mild (spring) or extreme environmental conditions (summer and winter). RESULTS Root‐zone temperature was recorded in two tanks, one powered by a photovoltaic system and one where root‐zone temperature was not controlled – this was used as a control tank. Photosynthetic parameters, yield, nutritional quality, and mineral composition were determined. In both baby leaf vegetables, during extreme weather conditions, yield was higher in the tanks with controlled root‐zone temperature conditions than the control (+18.9% for rocket, and + 31.4% for baby lettuce), while quality parameters and chemical composition were not significantly affected. Stomatal conductance and net photosynthesis values were positively affected only during summer. On the other hand, control of root‐zone temperature under mild weather conditions had no significant effect on baby lettuce and rocket. CONCLUSION Control of the root‐zone temperature could be a useful tool to improve productivity for baby lettuce and rocket crops cultivated in floating systems under extreme weather conditions. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry

ACS Style

Panagiotis Karnoutsos; Marios Karagiovanidis; Filippos Bantis; Theocharis Chatzistathis; Athanasios Koukounaras; Georgios K Ntinas. Controlled root‐zone temperature effect on baby leaf vegetables yield and quality in a floating system under mild and extreme weather conditions. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 2020, 101, 3933 -3941.

AMA Style

Panagiotis Karnoutsos, Marios Karagiovanidis, Filippos Bantis, Theocharis Chatzistathis, Athanasios Koukounaras, Georgios K Ntinas. Controlled root‐zone temperature effect on baby leaf vegetables yield and quality in a floating system under mild and extreme weather conditions. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. 2020; 101 (9):3933-3941.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Panagiotis Karnoutsos; Marios Karagiovanidis; Filippos Bantis; Theocharis Chatzistathis; Athanasios Koukounaras; Georgios K Ntinas. 2020. "Controlled root‐zone temperature effect on baby leaf vegetables yield and quality in a floating system under mild and extreme weather conditions." Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 101, no. 9: 3933-3941.

Journal article
Published: 23 November 2020 in Agriculture
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Spinach is a leafy vegetable containing a plethora of bioactive compounds. Our study aimed to evaluate the physiological (i.e., JIP-test) and phytochemical response of spinach baby leaves grown with regular or mildly saline (40 mM NaCl) nutrient solution and irradiated by four light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with broad spectra. T1 (highest red and far-red, low blue) and T3 (high red, balanced blue, green and far-red) led to a better developed photosynthetic apparatus compared to T2 (red peak in 631 nm) and T4 (highest blue and green), highlighted by PIABS and its structural components: RC/ABS, φP0, ψE0, and ΔVIP. Elevated salinity only affected the latter parameter. T1 induced the maximum yield production but also the highest nitrate content which was far below the maximum level permitted by European legislation. Regardless of salinity level, T3 enhanced total phenol, chlorophyll, and carotenoid content. T2 and T4 led to inferior nutritional quality. Non-saline nutrient solution promoted the chlorophyll and carotenoid contents and the antioxidant potential, regardless of light treatment. By contrast, soluble sugar content was enhanced by saline nutrient solution. Our study shows that physiology and nutritional quality of spinach baby leaves can be manipulated by small interplays in the light spectra and salinity level.

ACS Style

Filippos Bantis; Mariangela Fotelli; Zoran Ilić; Athanasios Koukounaras. Physiological and Phytochemical Responses of Spinach Baby Leaves Grown in a PFAL System with LEDs and Saline Nutrient Solution. Agriculture 2020, 10, 574 .

AMA Style

Filippos Bantis, Mariangela Fotelli, Zoran Ilić, Athanasios Koukounaras. Physiological and Phytochemical Responses of Spinach Baby Leaves Grown in a PFAL System with LEDs and Saline Nutrient Solution. Agriculture. 2020; 10 (11):574.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Filippos Bantis; Mariangela Fotelli; Zoran Ilić; Athanasios Koukounaras. 2020. "Physiological and Phytochemical Responses of Spinach Baby Leaves Grown in a PFAL System with LEDs and Saline Nutrient Solution." Agriculture 10, no. 11: 574.

Journal article
Published: 03 August 2020 in Agriculture
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Watermelon is mainly grafted onto interspecific squash, and during the season of high demand, seedlings of variable quality are used to cover grafting needs. The objective was to combine watermelon and interspecific squash of different seedling quality categories in order to obtain the optimal combination for the production of high-quality grafted watermelon seedlings. Acceptable seedlings of both species were grouped into quality categories, namely “low”, “optimum”, and “high”. Seedlings of each quality category were combined with each other and grafted seedlings from the nine derived categories were evaluated at two time intervals, at 7 (exit from the healing chamber) and 14 (final product) days after grafting. At both time intervals, watermelon “high” combined with interspecific squash “optimum” exhibited relatively higher shoot length, stem diameter, leaf area, and shoot and root dry weight, as well as shoot dry weight-to-length ratio, which is a quality index. The study shows that watermelon scions should have “high” quality, while interspecific squash rootstocks should have “optimum” quality during grafting for the production of high-quality grafted plants. If possible, “low” to-be-grafted watermelon seedlings should be avoided because the grafted derived seedlings are considered low quality.

ACS Style

Filippos Bantis; Athanasios Koukounaras; Anastasios Siomos; Christodoulos Dangitsis. Impact of Scion and Rootstock Seedling Quality Selection on the Vigor of Watermelon–Interspecific Squash Grafted Seedlings. Agriculture 2020, 10, 326 .

AMA Style

Filippos Bantis, Athanasios Koukounaras, Anastasios Siomos, Christodoulos Dangitsis. Impact of Scion and Rootstock Seedling Quality Selection on the Vigor of Watermelon–Interspecific Squash Grafted Seedlings. Agriculture. 2020; 10 (8):326.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Filippos Bantis; Athanasios Koukounaras; Anastasios Siomos; Christodoulos Dangitsis. 2020. "Impact of Scion and Rootstock Seedling Quality Selection on the Vigor of Watermelon–Interspecific Squash Grafted Seedlings." Agriculture 10, no. 8: 326.

Journal article
Published: 21 May 2020 in Agriculture
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Interaction of grafting and shading on tomato physical properties and chemical composition after 15 days of storage at 10 °C and 90% relative humidity was investigated in ungrafted and grafted tomato cultivars ‘Optima F1’ and ‘Big beef F1’ grown under shading nets (red and pearl net) and nonshaded conditions. For grafted plants ‘Maxifort’ rootstock was used. The effects of two weeks of storage was statistically significant when taking into account the effects of grafting, shading and variety for all tomato fruit composition parameters, except total phenols. A principal component analysis demonstrated that the changes in tomato fruit traits during the studied storage period were the main source of differentiation in tomato fruit quality. Beside a slight loss of firmness, tomato fruits were generally expected to have lower lycopene, sugar, malic and citric acid contents, higher succinic acid content, more elastic fruit skin and higher ascorbic acid content. Additionally, after storage, fruits from grafted plants had lower total phenol, higher ascorbic acid and higher succinic acid contents compared to fruits from ungrafted plants. Storage diminishes the differences in quality achieved through convenient grafting and shading combinations.

ACS Style

Zoran S. Ilić; Athanasios Koukounaras; Lidija Milenković; Žarko Kevrešan; Aleksandra Bajić; Ljubomir Šunić; Renata Kovač; Elazar Fallik; Jasna Mastilović. Grafting and Shading—The Influence on Postharvest Tomato Quality. Agriculture 2020, 10, 181 .

AMA Style

Zoran S. Ilić, Athanasios Koukounaras, Lidija Milenković, Žarko Kevrešan, Aleksandra Bajić, Ljubomir Šunić, Renata Kovač, Elazar Fallik, Jasna Mastilović. Grafting and Shading—The Influence on Postharvest Tomato Quality. Agriculture. 2020; 10 (5):181.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Zoran S. Ilić; Athanasios Koukounaras; Lidija Milenković; Žarko Kevrešan; Aleksandra Bajić; Ljubomir Šunić; Renata Kovač; Elazar Fallik; Jasna Mastilović. 2020. "Grafting and Shading—The Influence on Postharvest Tomato Quality." Agriculture 10, no. 5: 181.

Journal article
Published: 25 January 2020 in Agronomy
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Shelf life of horticultural commodities is dependent on postharvest handling but also on a wide range of pre-harvest factors, which include genetic and environmental parameters. This study was conducted to explore the influence of cultivar, leaf position, and piece position on the leaf on visual quality of fresh-cut butterhead lettuce as well as the effect of a wide range of cultivation seasons on the postharvest quality and shelf life of baby leaves (spinach and ‘wild’ rocket). Six butterhead lettuce cultivars were used (cultivated soilless in an unheated plastic greenhouse) while the effect of leaf position on the plant (outer and inner leaves) and the piece position on the leaf (piece one close to the leaf base and piece four close to the top) were also evaluated. Baby leaves were cultivated under an unheated plastic greenhouse for winter production and under a nethouse for the rest of the growing season, with a total of five and seven sampling dates for spinach and ‘wild’ rocket respectively. The cultivar of butterhead lettuce had a significant effect on postharvest quality of fresh-cut product but more important was the piece position on the leaf. When this was closer to the base of the leaf, there was more browning on cut edges and limited shelf life for the fresh-cut lettuce. The result was associated in one tested cultivar with PAL activity, which was higher by 106% for piece one compared to piece four as an average for the whole storage period. The growing season of baby leaves had a great impact on their shelf life, with the season of mild environmental conditions achieving the highest marketability.

ACS Style

Athanasios Koukounaras; Filippos Bantis; Nikolaos Karatolos; Christos Melissas; Antonios Vezyroglou. Influence of Pre-Harvest Factors on Postharvest Quality of Fresh-Cut and Baby Leafy Vegetables. Agronomy 2020, 10, 172 .

AMA Style

Athanasios Koukounaras, Filippos Bantis, Nikolaos Karatolos, Christos Melissas, Antonios Vezyroglou. Influence of Pre-Harvest Factors on Postharvest Quality of Fresh-Cut and Baby Leafy Vegetables. Agronomy. 2020; 10 (2):172.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Athanasios Koukounaras; Filippos Bantis; Nikolaos Karatolos; Christos Melissas; Antonios Vezyroglou. 2020. "Influence of Pre-Harvest Factors on Postharvest Quality of Fresh-Cut and Baby Leafy Vegetables." Agronomy 10, no. 2: 172.

Journal article
Published: 10 December 2019 in Agronomy
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Watermelon is cultivated worldwide and is mainly grafted onto interspecific squash rootstocks. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) can be implemented as light sources during indoor production of both species and their spectral quality is of great importance. The objective of the present study was to determine the optimal emission of LEDs with wide wavelength for the production of watermelon and interspecific squash seedlings in a growth chamber. Conditions were set at 22/20 °C temperature (day/night), 16 h photoperiod, and 85 ± 5 μmol m−2 s−1 photosynthetic photon flux density. Illumination was provided by fluorescent (FL, T0) lamps or four LEDs (T1, T2, T3, and T4) emitting varying wide spectra. Watermelon seedlings had greater shoot length, stem diameter, cotyledon area, shoot dry weight-to-length (DW/L) ratio, and Dickson’s quality index (DQI) under T1 and T3, while leaf area and shoot dry weight (DW) had higher values under T1. Interspecific squash seedlings had greater stem diameter, and shoot and root DW under T1 and T3, while leaf and cotyledon areas were favored under T1. In both species, T0 showed inferior development. It could be concluded that a light source with high red emission, relatively low blue emission, and a red:far-red ratio of about 3 units seems ideal for the production of high-quality watermelon (scion) and interspecific squash (rootstock) seedlings.

ACS Style

Filippos Bantis; Athanasios Koukounaras; Anastasios S. Siomos; Kalliopi Radoglou; Christodoulos Dangitsis. Optimal LED Wavelength Composition for the Production of High-Quality Watermelon and Interspecific Squash Seedlings Used for Grafting. Agronomy 2019, 9, 870 .

AMA Style

Filippos Bantis, Athanasios Koukounaras, Anastasios S. Siomos, Kalliopi Radoglou, Christodoulos Dangitsis. Optimal LED Wavelength Composition for the Production of High-Quality Watermelon and Interspecific Squash Seedlings Used for Grafting. Agronomy. 2019; 9 (12):870.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Filippos Bantis; Athanasios Koukounaras; Anastasios S. Siomos; Kalliopi Radoglou; Christodoulos Dangitsis. 2019. "Optimal LED Wavelength Composition for the Production of High-Quality Watermelon and Interspecific Squash Seedlings Used for Grafting." Agronomy 9, no. 12: 870.

Short communication
Published: 05 October 2019 in Food Packaging and Shelf Life
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Active modified atmosphere (active MAP) is commonly used for browning control of fresh-cut lettuce. However, it induces a disorder which is first reported in this study, described as ‘leaf collapse’. This study attempt to evaluate the possible factors involved in the development of this physiological disorder. Therefore, minimally processed romaine leaves of a sensitive and a resistant cultivar were stored under three different conditions (active MAP, passive MAP, air) for 6 days at 4 °C. The results showed that the development of leaf collapse was correlated with the interaction of cultivar and atmosphere composition. No correlation among leaf calcium content as well as leaf age with collapse index was recorded. On the contrary, results showed increased C2H4 production and membrane permeability of the sensitive lettuce cultivar as well as C2H4 accumulation in packages during storage under active MAP conditions compared to tolerant one.

ACS Style

Athanasios Koukounaras; Anastasios Siomos; Dimitrios Gerasopoulos; Michalis Papachristodoulou. Active modified atmosphere package induced a new physiological disorder of minimally processed romaine lettuce leaves. Food Packaging and Shelf Life 2019, 22, 100411 .

AMA Style

Athanasios Koukounaras, Anastasios Siomos, Dimitrios Gerasopoulos, Michalis Papachristodoulou. Active modified atmosphere package induced a new physiological disorder of minimally processed romaine lettuce leaves. Food Packaging and Shelf Life. 2019; 22 ():100411.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Athanasios Koukounaras; Anastasios Siomos; Dimitrios Gerasopoulos; Michalis Papachristodoulou. 2019. "Active modified atmosphere package induced a new physiological disorder of minimally processed romaine lettuce leaves." Food Packaging and Shelf Life 22, no. : 100411.

Journal article
Published: 02 February 2019 in Horticulturae
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Vegetable grafting is a practice employed worldwide since it helps prevent biotic and abiotic disorders, and watermelon is one of the most important species grafted. The objective of this study was to set critical limits for the characterization of quality categories for grafted watermelon seedlings. Specifically, watermelon (scion) seedlings were grafted onto squash (rootstock) seedlings, moved into a healing chamber for 7 days, and then transferred into a greenhouse for seven more days. At 7 and 14 days after grafting, experienced personnel assessed grafted seedling quality by categorizing them. The categories derived were Optimum and Acceptable for both time intervals, plus Not acceptable at 14 days after grafting. Optimum seedlings showed greater leaf area, and shoot and root fresh and dry weights at both time intervals. Moreover, they had greater stem diameter, root-to-shoot ratio, shoot dry weight-to-length ratio and Dickson’s quality index compared to the other category at 14 days after grafting. Therefore, Optimum seedlings would likely develop into marketable plants of high quality, with better establishment in the field. Not acceptable seedlings showed considerably inferior development, while Acceptable seedlings were between the other categories, but were still marketable.

ACS Style

Filippos Bantis; Athanasios Koukounaras; Anastasios Siomos; Georgios Menexes; Christodoulos Dangitsis; Damianos Kintzonidis. Assessing Quantitative Criteria for Characterization of Quality Categories for Grafted Watermelon Seedlings. Horticulturae 2019, 5, 16 .

AMA Style

Filippos Bantis, Athanasios Koukounaras, Anastasios Siomos, Georgios Menexes, Christodoulos Dangitsis, Damianos Kintzonidis. Assessing Quantitative Criteria for Characterization of Quality Categories for Grafted Watermelon Seedlings. Horticulturae. 2019; 5 (1):16.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Filippos Bantis; Athanasios Koukounaras; Anastasios Siomos; Georgios Menexes; Christodoulos Dangitsis; Damianos Kintzonidis. 2019. "Assessing Quantitative Criteria for Characterization of Quality Categories for Grafted Watermelon Seedlings." Horticulturae 5, no. 1: 16.

Journal article
Published: 09 March 2018 in Scientia Horticulturae
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Light-emitting diode (LED) technology has rapidly advanced the past years and it is nowadays irrevocably linked with controlled-environment agriculture (CEA). We provide here an amalgamation of the recent research achievements in the horticulture and floriculture industry, ranging from greenhouse applications to climate rooms and vertical farming. We hope this overview bestows ample examples for researchers and growers in the selection of the appropriate LED light solution for amending crop yield, phytochemical content, nutritional value, flowering control, transplant success, pre-harvest and postharvest product quality, and production of regeneration material. We leave the reader with some future prospects and directions that need to be taken into account in this ever-growing field.

ACS Style

Filippos Bantis; Sonia Smirnakou; Theoharis Ouzounis; Athanasios Koukounaras; Nikolaos Ntagkas; Kalliopi Radoglou. Current status and recent achievements in the field of horticulture with the use of light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Scientia Horticulturae 2018, 235, 437 -451.

AMA Style

Filippos Bantis, Sonia Smirnakou, Theoharis Ouzounis, Athanasios Koukounaras, Nikolaos Ntagkas, Kalliopi Radoglou. Current status and recent achievements in the field of horticulture with the use of light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Scientia Horticulturae. 2018; 235 ():437-451.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Filippos Bantis; Sonia Smirnakou; Theoharis Ouzounis; Athanasios Koukounaras; Nikolaos Ntagkas; Kalliopi Radoglou. 2018. "Current status and recent achievements in the field of horticulture with the use of light-emitting diodes (LEDs)." Scientia Horticulturae 235, no. : 437-451.

Journal article
Published: 04 July 2017 in Journal of Food Processing and Preservation
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Fresh-cut vegetables became more and more popular due to healthy eating habits, with main problem safety of the product because of microbial spoilage as well as visual and nutritional quality changes. Ozone may act as a sanitizer; however, due to its strong oxidant activity care is needed, as in some cases, that is, if the dose being used is too high, the quality of the produce may be reduced. In this study, ozonated water at various concentrations and dipping times (0, 0.4, 0.8, or 1.2 mg/L for 0, 1, 15, or 30 s) were tested. Results revealed that application of ozonated water (0.8 mg/L for 30 s) before packaging reduced yellowing and maintained compositional characteristics of the fresh-cut spinach leaves, ensuring a shelf-life extension of 3 days. Moreover, a positive effect on microbial population control was recorded during the first 5 days of storage. The use of chlorine or other chemicals in fresh-cut industry is decreasing while alternatives treatments are proposed. Ozone even had remarkable antimicrobial action however because of its oxidation action could be negative for the horticultural products. This work investigated the efficiency of ozone treatment (concentration and dipping time) to control yellowing of fresh-cut spinach as well as the effect on microbial counts and leaves composition. The information obtained from this study provide the chance to extend the postharvest life of a highly perishable product with an alternative to chemical treatment that could be easily applied in processing line.

ACS Style

Michalis Papachristodoulou; Athanasios Koukounaras; Anastasios Siomos; Aglaia Liakou; Dimitrios Gerasopoulos. The effects of ozonated water on the microbial counts and the shelf life attributes of fresh-cut spinach. Journal of Food Processing and Preservation 2017, 42, e13404 .

AMA Style

Michalis Papachristodoulou, Athanasios Koukounaras, Anastasios Siomos, Aglaia Liakou, Dimitrios Gerasopoulos. The effects of ozonated water on the microbial counts and the shelf life attributes of fresh-cut spinach. Journal of Food Processing and Preservation. 2017; 42 (1):e13404.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Michalis Papachristodoulou; Athanasios Koukounaras; Anastasios Siomos; Aglaia Liakou; Dimitrios Gerasopoulos. 2017. "The effects of ozonated water on the microbial counts and the shelf life attributes of fresh-cut spinach." Journal of Food Processing and Preservation 42, no. 1: e13404.

Journal article
Published: 01 May 2017 in Scientia Horticulturae
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ACS Style

Nikolaos Kapoulas; Athanasios Koukounaras; Zoran S. Ilić. Nutritional quality of lettuce and onion as companion plants from organic and conventional production in north Greece. Scientia Horticulturae 2017, 219, 310 -318.

AMA Style

Nikolaos Kapoulas, Athanasios Koukounaras, Zoran S. Ilić. Nutritional quality of lettuce and onion as companion plants from organic and conventional production in north Greece. Scientia Horticulturae. 2017; 219 ():310-318.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Nikolaos Kapoulas; Athanasios Koukounaras; Zoran S. Ilić. 2017. "Nutritional quality of lettuce and onion as companion plants from organic and conventional production in north Greece." Scientia Horticulturae 219, no. : 310-318.

Journal article
Published: 01 October 2016 in Acta Horticulturae
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ACS Style

A. Koukounaras; M. Papachristodoulou; C. Chatzidimos; P. Tsouvaltzis; D. Gerasopoulos; Anastasios Siomos. The effects of ozone treatment on quality and biochemical parameters of fresh-cut lettuce. Acta Horticulturae 2016, 349 -354.

AMA Style

A. Koukounaras, M. Papachristodoulou, C. Chatzidimos, P. Tsouvaltzis, D. Gerasopoulos, Anastasios Siomos. The effects of ozone treatment on quality and biochemical parameters of fresh-cut lettuce. Acta Horticulturae. 2016; (1142):349-354.

Chicago/Turabian Style

A. Koukounaras; M. Papachristodoulou; C. Chatzidimos; P. Tsouvaltzis; D. Gerasopoulos; Anastasios Siomos. 2016. "The effects of ozone treatment on quality and biochemical parameters of fresh-cut lettuce." Acta Horticulturae , no. 1142: 349-354.

Journal article
Published: 01 October 2016 in Acta Horticulturae
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ISHS VI Balkan Symposium on Vegetables and Potatoes Genotype and harvesting period effects on nutritional components of two cherry tomatoes

ACS Style

K. Papoutsis; P. Tsouvaltzis; S. Gkountina; Anastasios Siomos; Athanasios Koukounaras. Genotype and harvesting period effects on nutritional components of two cherry tomatoes. Acta Horticulturae 2016, 311 -316.

AMA Style

K. Papoutsis, P. Tsouvaltzis, S. Gkountina, Anastasios Siomos, Athanasios Koukounaras. Genotype and harvesting period effects on nutritional components of two cherry tomatoes. Acta Horticulturae. 2016; (1142):311-316.

Chicago/Turabian Style

K. Papoutsis; P. Tsouvaltzis; S. Gkountina; Anastasios Siomos; Athanasios Koukounaras. 2016. "Genotype and harvesting period effects on nutritional components of two cherry tomatoes." Acta Horticulturae , no. 1142: 311-316.

Original articles
Published: 04 May 2016 in The Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology
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This study evaluated the importance of three factors (genotype, ultraviolet [UV] radiation and harvest time) and their interaction on phenolics, tannins, flavonoids and antioxidant activity of ‘Paris Island’ (romaine type) and ‘Sanguine’ (red leaf type) lettuce plants as well as on the severity of browning of their fresh-cut product. Ten genotypes had significant effect on secondary metabolite accumulation and higher levels were found in ‘Sanguine’, while no interaction effect was found among all the studied factors. Therefore, a new analysis of variance was performed for each genotype separately. The results showed that in ‘Paris Island’ the time of harvest had a significant effect on all measured parameters with higher levels for plants from the night harvest, while UV radiation had little effect on the plants’ biochemistry. On the contrary, in ‘Sanguine’, UV radiation significantly affected the concentration of secondary metabolites and antioxidant capacity, with higher levels for plants grown under UV-open film. Browning evaluation of fresh-cut product derived from the above plants showed that factors affecting secondary metabolite concentration in whole plants at harvest did not have a similar effect. The findings indicate that there are appropriate treatments, for each genotype, that could achieve high production of secondary metabolites and improve their antioxidant properties.

ACS Style

Athanasios Koukounaras; Anastasios Siomos; Dimitrios Gerasopoulos; Katerina Karamanoli. Genotype, ultraviolet irradiation, and harvesting time interaction effects on secondary metabolites of whole lettuce and browning of fresh-cut product. The Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology 2016, 91, 491 -496.

AMA Style

Athanasios Koukounaras, Anastasios Siomos, Dimitrios Gerasopoulos, Katerina Karamanoli. Genotype, ultraviolet irradiation, and harvesting time interaction effects on secondary metabolites of whole lettuce and browning of fresh-cut product. The Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology. 2016; 91 (5):491-496.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Athanasios Koukounaras; Anastasios Siomos; Dimitrios Gerasopoulos; Katerina Karamanoli. 2016. "Genotype, ultraviolet irradiation, and harvesting time interaction effects on secondary metabolites of whole lettuce and browning of fresh-cut product." The Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology 91, no. 5: 491-496.

Journal article
Published: 01 October 2015 in Scientia Horticulturae
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ACS Style

G.K. Ntinas; A. Koukounaras; T. Kotsopoulos. Effect of energy saving solar sleeves on characteristics of hydroponic tomatoes grown in a greenhouse. Scientia Horticulturae 2015, 194, 126 -133.

AMA Style

G.K. Ntinas, A. Koukounaras, T. Kotsopoulos. Effect of energy saving solar sleeves on characteristics of hydroponic tomatoes grown in a greenhouse. Scientia Horticulturae. 2015; 194 ():126-133.

Chicago/Turabian Style

G.K. Ntinas; A. Koukounaras; T. Kotsopoulos. 2015. "Effect of energy saving solar sleeves on characteristics of hydroponic tomatoes grown in a greenhouse." Scientia Horticulturae 194, no. : 126-133.

Journal article
Published: 16 January 2014 in Journal of Food Quality
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The work focuses on the responses of two baby lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) cultivars (green “Paris Island” and red “Sanguine”) to different NaCl solutions (0, 5, 10 and 20 mM). Plant mineral composition (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, B, Cl and Na) and nutritional quality (nitrates, ascorbic acid, phenolics, flavonoids and antioxidant activity) were determined. Salinity was found to be able to reduce the concentration of K; while, it was able to enhance Zn and Cu concentrations in baby leaves of both cultivars. Salinity was even able to decrease Ca concentration in green lettuce, and to increase the concentrations of Fe, Mn and B in red lettuce. Moreover, salinity was connected to the accumulation of Cl and Na in baby leaves. However, the use of saline waters enhanced health‐beneficial phenolic compounds in baby leaves in some instances. In recent years, baby vegetables are becoming more and more popular as they are easy to prepare for the market (fast food, ready‐to‐eat salads), with a low degree of injury, as in the case of fresh‐cut vegetables. Salinity is one of the most important factors limiting yield of several horticultural crops worldwide. Although lettuce is considered moderately sensitive to salinity, literature reveals that salinity is connected with biosynthesis of nutritional compounds. The present study may serve as a tool to better understand baby lettuce mineral nutrition and the consequent management of fertilizers, which is of value in the baby vegetable production industry and is critical in improving yield and quality. In addition, enhancement of phenolic compounds, induced by salinity in some instances, may be of importance in a diet rich in antioxidants.

ACS Style

D. Neocleous; A. Koukounaras; Anastasios Siomos; M. Vasilakakis. Assessing the Salinity Effects on Mineral Composition and Nutritional Quality of Green and Red “Baby” Lettuce. Journal of Food Quality 2014, 37, 1 -8.

AMA Style

D. Neocleous, A. Koukounaras, Anastasios Siomos, M. Vasilakakis. Assessing the Salinity Effects on Mineral Composition and Nutritional Quality of Green and Red “Baby” Lettuce. Journal of Food Quality. 2014; 37 (1):1-8.

Chicago/Turabian Style

D. Neocleous; A. Koukounaras; Anastasios Siomos; M. Vasilakakis. 2014. "Assessing the Salinity Effects on Mineral Composition and Nutritional Quality of Green and Red “Baby” Lettuce." Journal of Food Quality 37, no. 1: 1-8.