THE INSTITUTE

The Laboratory of Weed Science (LWS) of the Benaki Phytopathological Institute is probably the best scientifically organized research unit on all aspects of weed research in Greece.
The aim of the LWS is the development of the required knowledge and technology for weed management in various crops across the country aiming to efficiency, economy, and the protection of the environment and natural resources.
The scientific work of the LWS address all weed issues from various departments of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Culture, other public agencies, farmer unions, cooperatives, and individual farmers and producers.  In this context, the LWS issues guidelines for integrated and biological control of weeds.
In the LWS, a herbarium is maintained since 1965 that is continuously enriched and has got a large number of weed species from all around the country (with a unique Gramineae collection). The LWS actively participates in the implementation of several research programs funded by the national, EU, or the private sector funds. In this context, LWS scientists actively cooperate with several other national and foreign universities and research institutions.
The rich activity of the LWS with a wide variety of all weed topics (biology, ecology, physiology, molecular, field studies) make it an ideal place for preparing graduate theses (undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral ones) and student placements.

Main research fields:

• Study of the allelopathic dynamics/potential of plants, use of traditional varieties and local populations in integrated weed management

• Study in the weed resistance to herbicides (biology, ecology, management systems, mechanisms of resistance)

• Study of glyphosate persistence in soil

• Study of new alien-invasive, difficult to control weeds in Greece

• Site-specific weed control through precision agriculture, weed mapping using Remote sensing and geographical information systems (HydroSense project; www.hydrosense.org)

• Low Input agricultural systems (EcoPest project; www.ecopest.gr) and Use of weeds in agricultural ecosystems for reinforcing biodiversity (SAGE10; Operation pollinators programs)

• Seed Biology, seed vigour, competition of crops with weeds, (BreedSeed; COOPERATION 2009 program)

Scientific laboratory staff
Demosthenis Chachalis, PhD, Weed Science, Research Director, Head of the Laboratory

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