Plant injurious mites on pastures in Greece
The study deals with the plant injurious mites of the families Eriophyidae and Tarsonemidae found in pastures in Greece. The examination of samples taken revealed the presence of 17 species of plant injurious mites belonging to these families. The species of the family Eriophidae belong to the following 3 genera: Aceria (4 species), Aculodes (2 species) and Calepitrimerus (1 species). The species of the family Tarsonemidae belong to the following 2 genera: Steneotarsonemus (5 species) and Tarsonemus (5 species). Nine of the above mentioned species namely Aceria tuberculatus, Aceria achilleae, Aculodes dubius, Aculodes mckenziei, Calepitrimerus achilleae, Steneotarsonemus acuticlavus, Tarsonemus imitatus, Tarsonemus hermes and Tarsonemus paralucifer are reported for the first time in Greece. For each species data are provided about its distribution, its host plant as well as its global distribution.
Agronomic characteristics of pasture grasses’ cultivars and species at laboratory and field conditions (first productive year)
Some agronomic characteristics of six pasture grass cultivars were studied during the first productive year. The cultivars were the following: Two diploids Lolium perenne (Aber Elan and Olympion), two tetraploids of the same species (Aber Oscar and BA 11358), one hybrid Festuca pratensis x L. perenne (Prior) and one hybrid Festuca pratensis x L. multiflorum (Elmet). The total dry matter production was not significantly different among cultivars. Olymbion, Ba 11358 and Elmet produced significantly more dry matter at 1st cut than the 2nd. Under laboratory conditions the following species were studied: Bromus inermis, (cv. Monchar), Dactylis glomerata, cv. Perrevia, Festuca arundinacea, cv. Metsovo, Lolium perenne, cv. Olympion (the three last cultivars were produced by the Institute of Fodder Crops and Pastures – Larissa). They were tested at three temperature regimes (day:night): 16:10, 20:12 and 25:15 οC. Three observations were made after sowing (15th, 30th and 45th day). Bromus had significantly longer shoot and root length in most of the observations. The dry weight of shoot and root together started to differentiate after the second observation, where Festuca were significantly heavier than the other species. Dactylis had significantly less number of leaves than the other species at the last two observations.
Agronomic characteristics of pasture grass cultivars under laboratory and field conditions (establishment year)
Some agronomic characteristics of six pasture grass cultivars were studied under field and laboratory conditions. The cultivars were the followings: two diploids of Lolium perenne (Aber Elan and Olympion), two tetraploids of the same species (Aber Oscar and BA 11358), one hybrid Festuca pratensis x L. perenne (Prior) and one hybrid Festuca pratensis x L. multiflorum (Elmet). In the field experiment, Aber Oscar and Aber Elan had better emergence. All cultivars’ tillers increased significantly with time. The highest development in height achieved by Aber Oscar and Elmet. The most productive cultivars were Aber Οscar and Olympion. But the dry mutter production did not differ significantly among cultivars. In the laboratory the length of roots and shoots were significantly influenced by the factor cultivar. Aber Οscar had the longest root and shoot and Aber Elan and Olympion the shortest. Overall during the establishment phase Aber Οscar showed the best agronomic characteristics among the six cultivars tested.
The Sarakatsani of Εpirus
The Sarakatsani are stockbreeders, shepherds of pure Greek origin. A debate occurs among the experts concerning the etymology of their name, their origin as well as the character of their movements. In this paper, the character of these circuits is elucidated and defined as nomadism. It also focuses particularly on their way of life, their daily activities that associate mainly with the stockbreeding, meaning the number and the species of their animals, the movements that were followed during the year as well as their household. Information was gathered regarding their architecture, the way they built their huts, schools and shipholds that is quite significant and interesting. Finally the traditional dresses and embroideries are described as they lively represent the concepts and values as they formed during the centuries.
Fabaceae in Epirus
In this paper, the family of Fabaceae is presented. Their place in the plant kingdom is notified and their importance is generally emphasized. Their relation to cattle breeding in Ipirus is discussed and there is also an historical review of this relation. A list of 200 taxa belonging in 45 genera, 188 species and 12 subspecies, concerning Ipirus is given. The distribution of the most important genera is commented. We strongly emphasize to some genera like: Trifolium which numbers 49 species in Ipirus out of 72 in the whole Greece, Vicia which numbers 19 species in Ipirus out of a total of 30, Medicago which numbers 16 species in Ipirus out of 25 in the whole Greece. There is a discussion of the cultivated species of Fabaceae in Ipirus and the big importance of the genus Medicago. Finally, some personal views about the management of the local rangelands are presented.
