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Climate change imposes severe stress on European forests, with forest degradation already visible in several parts of Europe. Thus adaptation of forestry applications in Mediterranean areas and central Europe is necessary. Proactive forestry management may include the planting of Mediterranean oak species in oak-bearing Central European regions. Five replicate common gardens of Greek and Italian provenances of Quercus ilex, Q. pubescens and Q. frainetto seedlings (210 each per plantation) were established in Central Italy, NE Greece (two) and Southern Germany (two, including Q. robur) to assess their performance under different climate conditions. Climate and soil data of the plantation sites are given and seedling establishment was monitored for survival and morphological parameters. After 3 years (2019) survival rates were satisfactory in the German and Italian sites, whereas the Greek sites exerted extremely harsh conditions for the seedlings, including extreme frost and drought events. In Germany, seedlings suffered extreme heat and drought periods in 2018 and 2019 but responded well. Provenances were ranked for each country for their performance after plantation. In Greece and Italy, Q. pubescens was the best performing species. In Germany, Q. pubescens and Q. robur performed best. We suggest that Greek or Italian provenances of Q. pubescens may be effectively used for future forestation purposes in Central Europe. For the establishment of Quercus plantations in Northern Greece, irrigation appears to be a crucial factor in seedling establishment.
Filippos Bantis; Julia Graap; Elena Früchtenicht; Filippo Bussotti; Kalliopi Radoglou; Wolfgang Brüggemann. Field Performances of Mediterranean Oaks in Replicate Common Gardens for Future Reforestation under Climate Change in Central and Southern Europe: First Results from a Four-Year Study. Forests 2021, 12, 678 .
AMA StyleFilippos Bantis, Julia Graap, Elena Früchtenicht, Filippo Bussotti, Kalliopi Radoglou, Wolfgang Brüggemann. Field Performances of Mediterranean Oaks in Replicate Common Gardens for Future Reforestation under Climate Change in Central and Southern Europe: First Results from a Four-Year Study. Forests. 2021; 12 (6):678.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFilippos Bantis; Julia Graap; Elena Früchtenicht; Filippo Bussotti; Kalliopi Radoglou; Wolfgang Brüggemann. 2021. "Field Performances of Mediterranean Oaks in Replicate Common Gardens for Future Reforestation under Climate Change in Central and Southern Europe: First Results from a Four-Year Study." Forests 12, no. 6: 678.
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.
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 StyleFilippos 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 StyleFilippos 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.
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.
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 StyleFilippos 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 StyleFilippos 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.
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
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 StylePanagiotis 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 StylePanagiotis 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.
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.
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 StyleFilippos 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 StyleFilippos 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.
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.
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 StyleFilippos 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 StyleFilippos 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.
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.
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 StyleAthanasios 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 StyleAthanasios 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.
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.
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 StyleFilippos 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 StyleFilippos 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.
Watermelon is an economically important crop that is exclusively established through the use of grafted seedlings. Grafting procedure and the period of healing are critical for the production of high quality seedlings. During healing, grafted seedlings are grown in a chamber with controlled conditions, including supplementary lighting. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of commonly used fluorescent (FL, control) lamps or light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with varying red (R) and blue (B) proportions [100 % R (R), 12 % B and 88 % R (12B), 24 % B and 76 % R (24B), 36 % B and 64 % R (36B) or 100 % B (B)] employed in the healing chamber on the quality of grafted watermelon seedlings. Seedlings under FL and B performed poorly in almost all tested parameters compared to the other LEDs. However, monochromatic B led to the greatest rates of photosynthesis (Pmax), stomatal conductance (g) and transpiration (E). On the contrary, R promoted the seedling length, fresh and dry weight (FW and DW) of shoots and roots, and root-to-shoot ratio (R/S) but led to inferior gas exchange and photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm). B addition to R light (12B and 24B) enhanced the morphological and growth characteristics tested at least as much as R light or even more (leaf area, shoot DW). It should be noted that the entire root system of the seedlings was cut off during the grafting procedure and its re-growth was highly promoted by dichromatic LEDs (R plus B). Altogether, the above results demonstrate that R light with addition of low proportion of B light (12–24%) enhances the production of high quality grafted watermelon seedlings.
Filippos Bantis; Athanasios Koukounaras; Anastasios Siomos; Mariangela N. Fotelli; Damianos Kintzonidis. Bichromatic red and blue LEDs during healing enhance the vegetative growth and quality of grafted watermelon seedlings. Scientia Horticulturae 2019, 261, 109000 .
AMA StyleFilippos Bantis, Athanasios Koukounaras, Anastasios Siomos, Mariangela N. Fotelli, Damianos Kintzonidis. Bichromatic red and blue LEDs during healing enhance the vegetative growth and quality of grafted watermelon seedlings. Scientia Horticulturae. 2019; 261 ():109000.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFilippos Bantis; Athanasios Koukounaras; Anastasios Siomos; Mariangela N. Fotelli; Damianos Kintzonidis. 2019. "Bichromatic red and blue LEDs during healing enhance the vegetative growth and quality of grafted watermelon seedlings." Scientia Horticulturae 261, no. : 109000.
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.
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 StyleFilippos 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 StyleFilippos 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.