The Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition focuses on the supply of water and nutrients for plants. The research of the department is focused on how plants affect other environmental factors that influence the production of plant substances. The goal is the efficient use of nutrients, particularly nitrogen in order to reduce the effects of environmental pollution as well as improving humus management to keep the soil fertile. The main goal in research is to maintain plant quality (in viticulture and horticulture), learn about the effects of climate change on different plants and the effects of stressors on plant substances. The special work field of the department focuses on examining nitrous oxides and other climate relevant gases in viticulture and horticulture. The research in horticulture is based on optimizing fertigation (especially in protected cultivation) in the tropics and sub-tropics, plant reaction and nutrient absorption, energy and resources efficiency with different types of greenhouse covers, waste-water reuse and effects on plant secondary metabolism through external factors (lack and/or surplus of nutrients, environmental factors). At the moment the Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition is in collaboration with partners from Greece, Finland, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Thailand, Vietnam, Namibia and Kenya.
Phytowelt GreenTechnologies GmbH (Phytowelt) is an innovative international active enterprise offering contract research in plant and industrial biotechnology. Phytowelt was created in 2006 as a merger of Phytowelt GmbH and GreenTec GmbH. The core technologies of Phytowelt are phytominingTM and phytodiversityTM. Through the platform technology phytominingTM, genes encoding plant enzymes are identified, isolated and expressed to provide new biocatalytic activities for fermentation. The platform phytodiversityTM includes the development of innovative technologies of cell and tissue culture for modern plant breeding. More: http://www.phytowelt.com/index.html
The Laboratory of Agricultural Constructions & Environmental Control (LACEC) of the Department of Agriculture Crop Production and Rural Environment of the University of Thessaly (UTH) is active in the field of Agricultural Constructions with special emphasis in greenhouses. The research of LACEC is focused on the environmental friendly production by means of optimal greenhouse climate control that leads to reduction of inputs in energy, water, nutrients, fertilisers, pesticides and production footprint. LACEC is active in specific issues related to: sustainable farming practices, smart farming, rational use of water and fertilisers in crop production systems, good agricultural practices, ICT, sensors, in-door production systems (constructions, microclimate), rational inputs use (use of renewable energy, and water, soil, and land resources prevention), and environmental footprint assessment and optimization of agricultural production systems. Due to its geographical location (South-Europe) and the low level of technological adoption from the farmers, LACEC team has adjust many services and products to fit with these special groups.
Agricultural Information Systems SA – Agrostis (https://www.agrostis.gr/index.php/en/) develops and markets ICT and automation solutions for the Agri-food sector. The company was founded in 2012 and has currently a headcount of 6 agronomists, agriculture engineers and IT experts all with PhD or MSc degrees.
Starting with the development and market introduction in 2014 of its core software product, ifarma, an integrated Farm Management Information System, the company offers now to the Greek agriculture sector a set of software products and services: solutions for managing experimental farms and seed production, contract farming management, fresh product quality inspection, greenhouse design and automation consulting and services.
Its core product ifarma, has a recognized brand name as the leading farm management software in Greece and is used by some of the most prominent farming businesses including wineries, fruit trade and exporters, cooperatives, and food producers, with a user base exceeding the 9000 farmers.
Last year (2016), among other greenhouse projects, Agrostis designed and installed the climate & irrigation control system in the most sophisticated greenhouse ever built in Greece.
All partners involved in the “CasH”-initiative have a long standing experience in international cooperation as well as managing projects and publishing in this context.