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The researches were carried out during the 2016-2017 vegetation period using the wheat variety Andrada and the perspective line T. 123-11 created at ARDS Turda, which were treated with 3 types of foliar fertilizers: Folimax Gold (V2 -2 treatments, V3-3 treatments) Folimax Oleo (V4-2 treatments and V5-3 treatments) and Microfert U (V6-3 treatments) applied in two and three treatments in different phenophases of crop development. The measurements on the assimilation (An = μmol CO2 m-2s-1) and leaf evapotranspiration (Evap- mmol H2O m-2s-1) were performed on a stindard leaf, 5 days after the last foliar fertilizer treatment in June, for each variant, from the 3 reps. The application of nitrogen foliar fertilizers resulted in the increase of the leaf surface, the nitrogen content of the leaves, increasing net assimilation for all variants, evapotranspiration and production. Andrada wheat variety advanced a higher oscillation of net assimilation (An) (from 28.5-32.7 μmol CO2m-2s-1), higher evapotranspiration (Evap) (1.97-2.33 mmol H2O m-2s-1) and the production was over 7300 kg/ha in foliar fertilized variants in all three vegetation phenophases. The perspective line T. 123-11 recorded slightly lower assimilation values (An) than Andrada wheat, being more clustered (from 30-31.7 μmol CO2 m-2s-1) and evapotranspiration (1.60-1.90 mmol of H2O m-2s-1) and also productions of more than 8100 kg/ha in 3 foliar fertilization variants, using the foliar fertilizer more efficiently and water in tissues. The highest quality indices were obtained with 3 foliar fertilization variants, obtaining values between 10.9 and 11.3% for proteins, for gluten between 21.3 and 21.6% and for the Zeleny 30.8 and 34.1% for Andrada lower than T. 123-11 with protein values between 11.7 and 14.0 % and gluten content of 23.4 and 28.3%, respectively the Zeleny index from 40.0 to 54.4%.

Sun-cured tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) is one of the most important industrial crops for Greece and other Mediterranean countries. A field experiment was conducted in 2012 and 2013 under organic conditions in Agricultural University of Athens in order to compare the growth, yield, nicotine and sugar content of three Greek sun-cured tobacco cultivars at two between-row spacings. Three cultivars of the Greek Basmas were sown in a seedbed in a greenhouse and then transplanted in the field at distances 10–and 20–cm between rows. The experimental design was a split-plot in a randomized complete block with three replicates. Tobacco was harvested at 80, 95, 115, and 135 days after transplanting (DAT). Our results showed that wider row spacing resulted in lower yield than closer row spacing for all three cultivars. Cultivars × year interaction was significant for total yield. Tobacco yield ranged from 1315 to 1920 and from 1545 to 2090kgha−1, for the wider and narrower row spacing, respectively. Chemical analysis revealed that nicotine content was also affected by cultivar and row spacing and ranged between 3.40 and 5.19%. Narrow row spacing resulted in reduction of nicotine content, while sugar content was only affected by cultivar. Narrower row spacing could be used in some cases for a higher production of tobacco of lower nicotine content, whenever this is desirable for blending purposes.

As organic tobacco is a consumer choice, it is necessary to explore the proper fertilization program with environmentally friendly practices. Α field experiment lasting 3 growing seasons established at the Agricultural University of Athens in order to examined the effect of comparison between organic and inorganic fertilization on (flue-cured) Virginia tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum L.) and soil. A randomized complete block design with four treatments (manure, compost, NPK and control) and three replications was set up. The results of analysis of variance for treatments showed that the organic matter of soil did not affected by the fertilization while CaCO3 significantly affected by fertilization. The N concentration in soil does not significantly affected by fertilization. Plants height was higher under the inorganic fertilization in comparison to that of the organic fertilization treatments. The final yield was affected by year and it is higher in control treatment with highest value 7,053.42 kg ha-1 The fertilization does not significant affect the uptake N leaves was affected by fertilization and was higher under inorganic fertilizer, ranged from 2.73 to 0.88%. The nicotine and sugar on Virginia tobacco were not significant affected by fertilization. A strong correlation was observed between yield and reducing sugars (r= 0.66). The results of the current study revealed that the organic fertilization affected certain soil characteristics and not the quality characteristics of tobacco.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of sowing rates and organic fertilization on growth and yield biomass quality of chia crop. The agronomic performance and nutritive value of chia were analyzed in order to define alternatives to local forages for dry-season feeding of ruminants in the Mediterranean region. Two sowing rates were arranged in the main plots and three levels of organic fertilization in the subplot with three replicates in split-plot design. Chia growth was not affected by sowing rates and fertilization. Concerning the dry weight and leaf area index (LAI), there were no significant differences among fertilization treatments while sowing rates influenced both dry and LAI, which were significantly increased as sowing rates increased. Forage quality traits were not significantly influenced by sowing rates. With regard to crude protein content, fertilization treatments had a positive effect. The greatest values were observed under manure treatment. Moreover, significant incre...

Canadian thistle ( Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop.), Milk thistle ( Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.) and Scotch thistle ( Onopordum acanthium L.) are weed species, which can also be useful plants because of their medicinal properties. A preliminary seed germination test was conducted, while a greenhouse experiment was also established during 2015 at the Agricultural University of Athens, where seed germination, seedling emergence, first growth rate and biomass production of three biotypes of S. marianum , two biotypes of C. arvense and three biotypes of O. acanthium were evaluated. According to the results of this study, seed germination and seedling emergence were high for all species and biotypes. First growth rate and earliness were significant different between the several species. High biomass production was found in the biotypes originated from arable fields. In conclusion, this research work proved that there is a potential of exploitation of thistles according to their many uses. Seed germination, seedling emergence, first growth, biomass production and earliness of some biotypes seem rather satisfactory, while the high genetic variability of these three weeds can be used as a source for any future breeding attempts.

Monoculture and extensive use of glyphosate, ACCase and ALS inhibitors can greatly increase the risks of reduced efficacy of these herbicides on several weeds. In our study, seed samples of five Lolium rigidum accessions were collected from wheat fields and olive orchards in 2012 and 2013. Most of the sites were known as having poor L. rigidum control and pot experiments were conducted in order to evaluate the sensitivity of the biotypes to glyphosate, clodinafop and chlorsulfuron. Data analysis confirmed significant differences in biomass reduction of the several biotypes in response to the herbicides. In particular, one biotype was found to be resistant to glyphosate, one to clodinafop and two to chlorsulfuron, while several biotypes had an intermediate response. These findings confirm that the reported unsatisfactory control of rigid ryegrass could be attributed to herbicide resistance and therefore rotational use of herbicides and several non-chemical methods are required.

A field experiment was conducted at Pylos, Greece to compare the effect of different types of fertilization on yardlong bean (Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis) crop. The conventional treatment plots were fertilized with an inorganic fertilizer, whereas the organic treatments plots received organic compost. Data analysis confirmed no significant correlation between plant height and type of fertilization, but there was significant correlation between length of pods and type of fertilization. In particular, morphological characteristics of yardlong bean were enhanced by inorganic fertilization in comparison with the organic fertilization. Organic farming increased significantly the number on root nodules in comparison with conventional farming.

From May to September 2016, a corn hybrid was sown in a field in central Greece. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with six replications and five fertilization treatments, namely NutriSphere-N Nitrogen Fertilizer (75%), NutriSphere-N Nitrogen Fertilizer (100%), AVAIL Phosphorus Fertilizer (75%), AVAIL Phosphorus Fertilizer (100%) and unfertilized (control). Data analysis confirmed that the different type of fertilization has a significant effect on the composition of weed flora. In particular, the results of the present study indicated significant differences between the fertilization treatments concerning density and diversity of weeds. Furthermore, weed diversity in the control treatment was highest, while it was lower in plots receiving application of N and P. However, total weed dry mass was lower in plots receiving no fertilizer and P fertilization, and highest in plots receiving N. Differences in terms of weed growth between the two types of fertilization could be attributed to differences revealed in the composition of the weed flora.