The effect of genetic variation and nitrogen fertilization on productive characters of Greek oregano

This study aims to investigate the response of 10 Greek Oregano (Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum) populations, collected across Greece, under 3 levels of N-fertilization during 2012 and 2013. The populations were differentiated for dry matter (from 32.7 to 63.3 g·pot−1), for essential oil content (from 2.31 to 5.86 ml·100−1 g dry weight) and for amount of essential oil (from 1.37 to 2.46 ml·pot−1), for both years. Those with the highest dry matter (1-“Palaiochori” and 5-“Gliki”) and the highest essential oil content (10-“Gytheio” and 9-“Achladocastro”) were superior by 30%, as compared to the general mean of the experiment. The populations 3-“Litochoro” and 5-“Gliki” had an increased amount of essential oil (24%) as compared to the general mean of the experiment. An additional nitrogen supply (N0 to N1 level) increased dry matter production and amount of essential oil per pot, while decreased essential oil content for all populations. Further increase of nitrogen supply, favored six populations for dry matter production and two populations for amount of essential oil per pot while had almost no effect on five populations for essential oil content. The superior populations could be used in a breeding program as starting material for the development of new cultivars

Evaluation of transboundary pollution levels in the Axios river (Greece, former Yugoslavian republic of Macedonia) - Direct and indirect impacts on man and environment

The present paper is a part of a greater research project aiming to determine the transboundary pollution of the Axios river, its water quality and the direct and indirect impacts to human health and environment. In the framework of this project, it has been determined the physicochemical and microbiological quality parameters, the presence of toxic chemical compounds and elements such as metals, pesticides and other related organic pollutants in various sampling stations. The analyses of the Axios river water showed the presence of one or more pesticides in all sampling stations, but in concentrations lower than 0.1 mu g/l, which is the highest permitted limit for each pesticide in drinking water, according to the Directive 778/80 of the European Union. The polychlorinated biphenyls show relatively high total concentrations in all sampling stations in the Greek part of the Axios river sediment. The levels of some heavy metals in river water and sediment are relatively high both in the Greek part and the FYR of Macedonia part of the Axios river. The results showed a significant degradation of the water quality of the Axios river, which is mainly due to the presence of toxic organic pollutants like pesticides, PCBs and heavy metals and it can be assumed that there is an environmental risk, possibly because of irrigation with water from the river