Watch the aerial presentation of the greenhouse facilities of the University of Thessaly on the following video.More than 12 research projects, including FoodOasis, are implemented at the greenhouses facilities of the University of Thessaly.Scientific Associate: Professor Nikolaos Katsoulas

In the following video, you can watch the interview of the scientific associate of the AgriTexSil project, professor Nikolaos Katsoulas, given to the journalist Yiannis Sarros, on behalf of “Star Central Greece”.   It was our great honor that Mr. Sarros hosted us on his show, highlighting the knowledge, innovation and research.  

Video: The Project Coordinator Professor Nikolaos Katsoulas presents the closed type Aquaponic System which has been installed in the Greenhouse Facilities of UTH. Aquaponic System is an innovative, sustainable food production system that integrates fish culture with hydroponic crops cultivation by recycling water.

Development and optimization of an aquaponic system to increase sustainability in food production, FoodOASIS. 2018-2021. Co‐financed by the European Union and Greek national funds through the Operational Program Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, under the call RESEARCH – CREATE – INNOVATE (project code: T1EDK-01153)

The FoodOASIS research project participated in the 11^th Panhellenic Conference on Agricultural Engineering held in Volos on November 8^th, 2019 with the presentation of the work, ‘’Development of a Simulation Model for Macronutrients’ Concentration in an Aquaponic System’’ by M. Aslanidou, N. Katsoulas, A. Elvanidi, E. Tsoumalakou and E. Levizou.

In the framework of the FoodOASIS research project, two scientific papers were presented, the first one by N. Vlahos, K. Babouklis, S. Frangou, I. Mitsopoulos, E Kapetanios, A. Manolios, K. Giannoulatou, E. Mardoglou and E. Mente and the second one by E. Tsoumalakou, E. Mente, N. Katsoulas, K.A. Kormas, P. Berillis, N. Vlahos, P. Kapsis, P. Stathopoulou and E. Levizou, at Aquaculture Europe 2019 in Berlin from October 7^th to October 10^th. The titles of the papers are: ‘’Nutrient Input in a Small Scale Aquaponic System: Effect on Lettuce Functional Responses and Tilapia Growth’’ and ‘’Design, Aquascape and Conditioning of a Brackish Aquaponics System’’.

Professor Nikolaos Katsoulas, Director of LACEC, presented the modern Greenhouse facilities at Velestino to reporters from the ASTRA TV channel.

See the video from the visit (in Greek only) here: https://youtu.be/yA9MRUn4zSY

The Open Day at the Greenhouse Facilities of University of Thessaly, Velestino Magnesia was successfully held on 18 October 2019. The doors opened on time at 10:00 am with the presence of first registered visitors.

Professor Nikos Katsoulas and Director of the Laboratory of Agricultural Constructions of the Department of Crop Production and Rural Environment guided visitors to the Greenhouse Facilities, including a presentation of the new pilot greenhouse of the University of Thessaly, where most of the projects are implemented. During the visit were presented several opportunities for farm diversification in the circular bioeconomy.

The purpose of the event was to inform the public about the contribution of EU cohesion policy to the implementation of projects and development interventions in general under Operational Programs co-financed by the European Structural Funds.

The main objectives of the event were: to explain the new framework of the circular economy, to share good practices and to encourage networking and dialogue.

The farm is located near the National Road Athens-Thessaloniki, in the area of Velestino and at an altitude of 70 meters above sea level. It covers an area of 250 acres and covers the research and educational needs of the members of the Department. Of this total area, 2.5 acres are in greenhouses.

Professor Nikos Katsoulas, Associate Professor and Director of the Laboratory of Agricultural Constructions of the Department of Crop Production and Rural Environment mentioned that “dozens of farmers, researchers, professionals, teachers and others came to the farm and were informed of the new technologies for greenhouse production.

New technologies focus on hydroponics with complete nutrient-recycling management, testing of various crop substrates, testing of new insecticides, testing of new greenhouse cover materials, aquaculture (aquaponic and crop production) and biogas. Reduction of energy inputs (energy saving, biomass and other renewable energy use, better microclimate management by means of optimal control, better management of water resources (closed hydroponic systems).

Prof. Mr. Katsoulas highlighted that the greenhouse produces various products such as tomatoes, celery, lettuce, aromatic plants, mint.

From April to September, tomato production reached 25 tons per acre. “This is a quality tomato produced from the greenhouse with new technologies, and we estimate that 40 tons will be produced in total”

A big THANK YOU to all who participated in the OPEN DAY-Organic Plus. We would like to thank our partners, and a very heartfelt thanks to EPSA the company that offered us Greek soft drinks and made this event truly special!

Τhe research team of the School of Agricultural Sciences of the University of Thessaly of the Departments of Crop Production and Rural Environment and Ichthyology & Aquatic Environment participating in FoodOASIS, with the Scientific Coordinator Mr. Nikolaos Katsoulas (Professor), perform another innovative laboratory scale experiment combining the cultivation of basil plants and the fish breeding of European bass.

OPEN DAY- Technologies for production with low inputs in greenhouses.

In the framework of the Research projects, implemented by the Laboratory of Agricultural Constructions and Environmental Control of the University of Thessaly, an OPEN DAY for the public is organized.

The event will take place at the Laboratory’s Greenhouse Facilities of the University of Thessaly in Velestino on September 18, 2019 from 10:00 to 15:00.

The purpose of the event is to inform the public about the contribution of EU cohesion policy to the implementation of projects and development interventions in general under Operational Programs co-financed by the European Structural Funds.

Participants will also have the chance to visit the innovative Greenhouse, including a presentation of the new pilot greenhouse of the Laboratory of Agricultural Constructions and Environmental Control of the University of Thessaly, where most of the above mentioned projects are implemented.

The Open Access Day (OPEN DAY) event is part of the pan-European communication campaign “Europe in My Region 2019 – Europe in My Region 2019” (#EUinMyRegion).

Date: 18/09/2019, Time: 10.00-15.00 Location: Farm of University of Thessaly-Greenhouse Facilities, Velestino Magnesia

An additionally aquaponic experiment was conducted in laboratory scale by the research team of the School of Agricultural Sciences of the University of Thessaly of the Departments of Crop Production and Rural Environment and Ichthyology & Aquatic Environment participating in FoodOASIS, with the Scientific Coordinator Mr. Nikolaos Katsoulas (Associate Professor). The fish-plant combination was concerned European bass and lettuce.