Our knowledge on increased excretion of the active ingredients could be significantly improved through the understanding of the interactions between the main biochemical pathways involved, the genotype and phenotype of resistant strains.

Acquiring an in-depth understanding of such mechanism could enable the management of resistant populations, and the reduction of cross resistance incidence in susceptible populations.

The olive oil is one of the most important agricultural products of Greece, with a significant contribution to the GDP of the country and to the income of those involved in its production and marketing. However, quantitative and qualitative losses due to pest and pathogen infections, as well as issues in the marketing and distribution networks re4presents obstacles towards the further development of the sector.

The aim of my research is the development of an integrated GC/EI/MS-1HNMR metabolomics approach for the monitoring of the quality of olive oil (adulteration, residues of plant protection products, traceability) and the study of the potential of olive mill waste (OMW) from a two-phase system in olive tree plant protection.

Cannabis (industrial and medicinal) (Cannabis sativa L.) is an emerging cultivation world-wide. The legislation on medicinal cannabis in Greece was introduced in May of 2018. A large number of pests and pathogen cause severe quantitative and qualitative yield loses in field and greenhouse cultivations. Additionally, for the production of superior quality organic cannabis and cannabis products the use of chemical plant protection products is not permitted.

The aim of my research is the isolation of cannabis pathogens from field cultivations and the evaluation of the activity of biological agents against them.

 E. Alexandri (B.Sc.): Olive mill waste (OMW): Phytotoxictiy and bioactivity assesment

The management of olive mill waste (OMW) represents a serious challenge, due to their high content in organics, organic acids and polyphenols, which are both phytotoxic and degrade the quality of the environment. Due to their content in bioactive compounds, they represent rich sources of bioactivity for potential applications in plant protection.  

Within this context, I am studying the phytotoxicity of OMW water extracts using Lemna minor L. as the model plant.  Also, I am evaluating their effect on seed germination, their phytotoxicity to crop and weed species plants and their mycotoxicity to selected phytopathogenic fungi. 

The agrochemical and agricultural sectors are facing great challenges such as, the development of resistant to pesticides plant pathogens, the recent banning of many pesticides and the increasing public concern over food quality and safety. Among the key strategies to tackle such challenges is the discovery of new sources of bioactivity or development of new or alternative crop protection agents.

In my research, fungitoxicity and phytotoxicity bioassays are conducted in order to assess the potential of selected nanoparticles to be used i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">per se or as nanocarriers in nanopesticide formulation. Additionally, the bioactivity of biochar-a product produced through pyrolysis of plant residues-against different plant pathogenic fungi and bacteria will be evaluated, which is within the context of a continuous and close collaboration with a research team of McGill University, Montreal, Canada.

The recent years a significant decrease in olive oil production has been observed in Greece, leading to losses of more than 40,000 tons and /span> additionally significant losses in the yield of table olives. Such losses correspond to millions of euros of damages for the producers. In addition to the well-known pest, the olive fruit fly (Bactrocera oleae), a significant part of the losses was due to fungal infections of the fruits.

My research is focused on the isolation, identification and study of the pesticide resistance level of fungal strains isolated from infected olive fruits. Results of my research will provide insights into the issue and will propose measures for reducing future yield losses. In this project we collaborate with the Hellenic Ministry of Rural evelopment and Food.

The  incorrect use  of agrochemicals  has led to issues such as, the  development of resistant to pesticides  pest and pathogens, which in  turn dictate the need for the discovery of new sources of bioactivity. The latter should have minimum impact on humans and the environment, and at the same time should offer improved crop protection.o:p>

Within this context, aim of my research is the assessment of the bioactivity of natural extracts against plant pathogenic fungi and the study of the effect of pesticides on the metabolism of selected fungi applying metabolomics.

Pesticides are applied in order to protect crops from pest and pathogens. However, there are increasing indications that crop protection products affect additionally the physiology and nutritional value of plants. This is mainly due to the fact that in addition to their primary mode-of-action they exhibit secondary ones, and as a result they interfere with several biochemical systems of the organisms that are exposed to them.

The main goal of my research is to highlight the impact of pesticides on plant metabolism. Based on the advances in technology and bioanalytical tools such as metabolomics, we can study the effects of pesticides on plant’s physiology and products’ nutritional value.