Department of Nut Trees
Department
Department
The Department of Nut Trees is located 9 km south of Lamia, near the Municipal District of Neo Krikello. The department covers an area of 307.74 str, of which approximately 253 str. are cultivated. It began operating in 1932 as the Vardates Model Public Farm. Subsequently, on 1 January 1962, it was renamed as Vardates Agricultural Research Station of Phthiotis, pursuant to Ministry of Agriculture. Since 27 October 2014, has operated as the Department of Nut Trees of the Institute of Plant Breeding and Genetic Resources. The following research activities are carried out at the Department of Nut Trees, organized by crop species:
The following research activities are carried out at the Department of Nut Trees, organized by crop species:
WALNUT
- Evaluation of 32 of the best walnut varieties worldwide.
- Exploration of the seedling walnut population throughout Greece, selection of 83 superior genotypes, and their establishment and evaluation in collections at the Department of Nut Crops.
- Development of new varieties through controlled crosses or selection from seedlings of the most promising varieties.
- Development of a new superior mid-early and lateral bearing variety named ILIANA, which is clearly superior to Vina and earlier varieties such as Gustine, Amigo, Chico, etc. The variety is currently under evaluation.
- Development of the mid-early, lateral-bearing variety LITO.
- Development of the mid-late, lateral-bearing Hartley variety.
- Evaluation of numerous candidate varieties derived from crosses and selections.
- Experiments aimed at improving the success rate of walnut grafting using the patch-budding technique.
- Systematic studies on the effective protection of walnut trees against anthracnose and bacterial diseases.
- Study of walnut fruit moth flight patterns.
Pistacio
- Evaluation of 20 female varieties.
- Evaluation of 8 male varieties.
- Evaluation of the rootstocks P. integerrima and Tsikoudi.
- Study of the pathogen Macrophoma sp.
- Studies on:
- the pistachio nut borer.
- the effect of cytokinins on bud abscission in pistachio.
- mechanical harvesting (tree shaking) of pistachios.
- mechanical dehulling and washing of pistachios.
- the quality characteristics of pistachio fruits and
- the chemical composition of the kernels of different varieties (proteins, carbohydrates, fatty acids, fatty acid composition, etc.).
- the production and marketing conditions of pistachios.
MECHANICAL HARVESTING
Studies on harvesting and post-harvest handling.
- Mechanical harvesting.
- Mechanical dehulling and washing of walnuts.
- Determination of walnut moisture content at harvest and after drying in a dryer.
- Sorting and grading of walnuts.
- Design and manufacture of a walnut dehuller-washer and dryer by a Greek manufacturing company, as a result of the aforementioned studies.
- Study of mechanical walnut cracking.
- Evaluation of the quality characteristics and chemical composition of walnut kernels from numerous cultivars and selections, including protein content, carbohydrates, fatty acids, fatty acid composition, and related parameters.
Other activities and services
The department organizes and participates with scientific announcements in international and national conferences, symposia, and workshops. We also publish research papers in prestigious international and Greek scientific journals and popular articles in the local, provincial, and national press. We prepare studies, submit proposals and we act as an advisor to the Ministry of Agriculture, whenever needed. We also provide information and guidance to stakeholders or individuals from all over the country on the necessary and effective crop care, use of appropriate species and cultivarsper region and the effective post-harvest management of fruits.