Methodology
Members of the Psaris Agriculture Cooperative are given to use, after appropriate adaptation, software for the comprehensive support of greenhouse horticultural producers, in terms of hydro-fertilization. The software will briefly have the following features:
- Establishing an initial fertilization program for crops in the soil and in hydroponic systems.
- Adaptation of fertilization recipe for crops in open and closed hydroponic systems depending on the stage of cultivation and data of chemical analyzes in runoff solution samples.
- Provide nutrition and irrigation management guidelines based on grower monitoring data in soil culture and hydroponic culture.
- Existence of a database with fertilization recipes both in the soil and in hydroponic systems for the most important types of horticultural crops grown in the greenhouse.
Originality and innovation of the project
The implementation of this business plan is based on an advanced version of the NUTRISENSE, software which has been developed by the Horticultural Crops Laboratory of the Agricultural University of Athens for hydroponic crops. This software is suitably modified to support crops on the ground as well. NUTRISENSE is a decision support system based on modern scientific data and findings of original published and unpublished research carried out in recent years by the Horticultural Crops Laboratory of the Agricultural University of Athens. It has been prepared by the Horticultural Crops Laboratory of the Agricultural University of Athens, it is in the Greek language and is internationally original, although it takes into account existing international knowledge. The use of a special decision support system with the above characteristics for the application of rational fertilization in greenhouse crops is an important innovation that will be implemented for the first time in Greece.
Role in the project
GAIA EPIHEIREIN S.A.
GAIA EPIHEIREIN has undertaken the coordination of the members of the Operational Group for the implementation of the pilot project, as well as the actions for the management and completion of the project. GAIA EPIHEIREIN will cover all categories of promotional activities by choosing the appropriate communication channels. By systematically disseminating the results through the press, with a targeted digital campaign, the results will be disseminated through the internet. Through participation in conferences, the results will be disseminated to the scientific world. The organization of a local conference aimed at the agricultural world and agricultural policy actors will highlight the necessity of innovation at the local level. Through a networking conference with O.G. from all over Greece, the national dissemination of results and the gap between the agricultural and scientific worlds will be covered with the aim of the transfer of innovation to businesses.
HORTICULTURAL CROPS LABORATORY A.U.A.
The Laboratory of Horticultural Crops of the Agricultural University of Athens coordinates the scientific part of the project and specifically, following the design of the pilot applications, coordinates together with A.C. PSARIS sampling, analyses, preparation of recipes. It is also responsible for the preparation of the NUTRISENSE decision support system for the needs of the Cooperative and the subsequent evaluation of the pilot applications. In addition, it undertakes the promotion of the results of the project through participation in conferences and through participation in seminars and networking activities.
PSARIS AGRICULTURE COOPERATIVE FOR HORTICURTURAL TRADING
The pilot application of the NUTRISENSE decision support software is carried out in the horticultural crops of the greenhouse facilities of the producers – members of the Psaris Agriculture Cooperative. The Psaris Agriculture Cooperative together with the Laboratory of Horticultural Crops of the Agricultural University of Athens coordinate sampling, analysis and formulation. A.C. PSARIS is responsible for securing the greenhouse horticulture units and for the required records and actions for data extraction. Finally, it promotes innovative ideas through its participation in the seminars and networking actions that are organized.