Agricultural Research Institute

Agricultural Research Institute (ARI)

Established in 1962 as a cooperative project between thegovernment of Cyprus and the UNDP, with FAO acting as theexecutive agency, and was entrusted to the government ofCyprus in 1967.

In 2000 it was selected by the EU as a Centre of Excellence inAgriculture and the Environment

ARI undertakes research within the wider domain of plant andanimal production

Its mission is to provide high quality scientific research withthe objective of achieving a secure supply of safe, good qualityfood produced by methods financially, environmentally andsocially sustainable.

It develops or adapts and evaluates, under local conditions,scientific findings and technology.

The results of ARI are published:

• ARI’s publication series :

- Biennial Review- Cyprus Agricultural Research Report- Miscellaneous reports- Newsletter

• International peer-reviewed journals

• Conferences

Farmers are informed about the research resultsthrough the radio, television, newspapers, periodicaljournals, meetings and training at ARI and by theextensions officers of the Department of Agriculture.

DIRECTORD. Chimonidou

Plant Improvement

S. Gregoriou(Potatoes)

D. Fasoula(Gen. Breeding)

Α. Pallides(Gen. Improvement)

Α. Κyratzis(GeneBank/ Herbarium)

Κ. Stavridοu(Aromatic/Medicinal plants)

Vegetable and Ornamental Crops

Μ. Κyriakοu(Postharvest Tech.)

G. Soteriοu(Vegetables)

L. Vasilliοu(Ornamentals)

Fruit Trees andViticulture

S. Savvides(Viticulture)

S. Ιoannidοu(Fruit Trees)

Μ. Εmmanοuilidοu(Olive Trees/Citrus)

Soil Science

D. Νeοkleοus(Plant Nutrition)

P. Νtalias(Soil Science)

Α. Christοu(Irrigation)

RegistryAccounts officeStore Library

Experimental Stations

Plant Protection

Th. Κapari(Plant Pathology)

Ν. Seraphides(Entomology)

L. Papayiannis(Molecular Plant Pathology)

Rural Development

G. Αdamides(Computer Sc.)

Α. Stylianοu(Αgr. Economics)

G. Papadavid(Αgr. Economics)

Animal Production

V. Vasilliοu(Entomology)

G. Hadjipavlοu(Genetics/ Physiology)

D. Sparaggis(Animal Nutrition)

Ι. Ιoannides(Molecular Biology)

Chr. Pitta(Chemistry)

Μ. Οmirοu(Agr. Microbiology)

Gr. Μaratheftis(Food Technology)

Agrοbiotechnology

Variety ExaminationCentre

Κ. Mina (Cultivars)

FADN(EU)PRODUCTION DIVISION

P. PοlycarpοuSCIENTIFIC SUPPORT DIVISION

Μ. Μarkοu

Organizational Chart

Agricultural Research Institute

FamagustaNicosia

Kyrenia

Larnaka

Limassol

Pafos

Experimental Stations

Athalassa

Polis

Achelia (2)

Saittas

Zygi

Xylotymbou200 hectares

Established on 1982 as a part of the Vasilikos – Pendaskinos projectIt covers an area of 11 hectares

Greenhouses Screenhouses

Desalinization unit Meteorological StationMobile unit for

atmospheric monitoring

Effects of cultivars and coco-substrates on soilless strawberry production(D. Neocleous)

Productive potential of basil, mint, thyme and melissa in soilless culture(D. Neocleous)

Impact of harvest date on quality and nutritive value of grafted watermelon cultivars(G. Soteriou, M. Kyriacou)

Leafy vegetables production systems: Yield, quality and postharvest storage inresponse to nitrogen application strategies (G. Soteriou, M. Kyriacou)

Ex situ characterization and evaluation of indigenous pomegranate (Punicagranatum L.) clones (M. Kyriacou, S. Ioannidou, N. Seraphides, L. Papayiannis)

Evaluation of different clones of the “Local” olive variety (M. Emmanouelidou)

Impact of deficit irrigation on spearmint (Mentha spicata L.) biomass production,oil yield and oil quality (C. Stavridou, M. Omirou, G. Maratheftis)

Prospect of stevia (Stevia rebaudiana) cultivation in Cyprus (C. Stavridou, A. Stylianou)

Molecular breeding of barley, cowpea, alfalfa (D. Fasoula)

Effect of salinity on hydroponic production of Lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum) (L. Vassiliou)

Pesticides Bioremediation system (Biobed) (M. Omirou, I. Ioannides)

Truffle (Tuber aestivum) cultivation on olive trees (S. Gregoriou)

Development of an automated warning system for monitoring theMediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae). (N. Seraphides)

Production, maintenance and distribution of healthy citrus, stone-fruit andgrapevine material. Pre-basic plantations (Th. Kapari-Isaia, L. Papayiannis)

Pest management in greenhouse-grown vegetable crops (N. Seraphides)

Adaptation of agricultural production to climate change using geothermal energy(P. Polycarpou, D. Neocleous)

Rearing/production/release of beneficial insects (N. Seraphides)

- Macrolophus caliginosus, Nesidiocoris tenuis, Chrysoperla carnea- Diglyphus isaea

Macrolophus caliginosus (Hemiptera: Miridae)

Common in the Mediterranean region

Target Pests:Whiteflies, spider mites, aphids, thrips and moth eggs

Slow development (five nymphal stages take 19 days at25 ˚C or 58 days at 15 ˚C)

Adults suck empty 40 to 50 whitefly eggs per day

Application:Release 5-10 Macrolophus/m² in the first whitefly hotspots

Performs most effectively at temperatures above 25 ˚C

Nesidiocoris tenuis (Hemiptera: Miridae)

Common in the Mediterranean region

Target Pests:Eggs and larvae of Tuta absoluta, whiteflies, spider mites,moth eggs and thrips

Slow development when prey levels are low

Application:Introduce an average of 0.5 Nesidiocoris/m². Introductionrate should not exceed 1-1.5 Nesidiocoris/m²

Nesidiocoris can cause crop damage (poor fruit setting,flower drop, feeding spots etc.) when prey is absent orwhen there is a large population of Nesidiocoris in thecrop

Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)

Common in the Mediterranean regionTarget Pests:Aphids, whiteflies, scales, thrips, mites, beetles andlepidopteran eggs

Adult feeds on nectar and pollen, larva can eat up to 50aphids/day

Application:Release one lacewing/10 aphids, 10 eggs/plant or 5larvae/m²Effective at temperatures 12-35 ˚C

Diglyphus isaea (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae)

Ectoparasitoid of Leaf miners

Adults also feed with leaf miner larvae

Females are bigger than males and can be recognized bythe yellow stripe on the hind legs

Fast population build-up (rapid development)

Application:At high pest densities three weekly introductions of 0.1Diglyphus/m²

Training Centre

Informative and training sessions of students, extension officers and farmers

Telephone: +357 22403100Fax: +357 22316770Email:Website:

info@arinet.ari.gov.cyhttp:// www.ari.gov.cy

Thank you for your attention!!!

Contact Details