The Laboratory of Floriculture and Landscape architecture, focuses on teaching and research on floriculture techniques, propagation methods and landscape planning and management.
The company “KALANTZI CHARA” is a second generation, family-run business, since 1990. The company produces flowered pot-plants and supplies a wide network of wholesalers in Greece and Europe, while retaining contracts with world-known breeders.
Laboratory of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture team
Maria Papafotiou (Ph.D.), Professor of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, A.U.A.
Professor; Head of the Department of Crop Science, Head of the Laboratory of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture; Head of the Postgraduate Programs “Landscape Architecture” and "Modern systems for Plant Production", Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens (AUA). Born in Athens, Greece; First Degree in Crop Science (AUA, 1983); Ph.D. in Horticulture (physiology of flowering) (Wye College, University of London, U.K., 1988). She specializes in floricultural crops with emphasis on micropropagation, growth and flowering manipulation, and in urban and landscape ornamental horticulture, green roofs, as well as garden and park design. She is teaching undergraduate and postgraduate courses on floriculture, ornamental plants, environmental horticulture, landscape architecture history and planting design. Current research interests: exploiting native plants for ornamental use (propagation/micropropagation and growth manipulation), sustainable green roofs, native vegetation management and design in archaeological sites, native plant ground covers. She has over 300 publications and 450 citations (h index 10). Supervisor of 3 postdoc, 9 Ph.D., over 40 M.Sc. theses and over 100 undergraduate dissertations; Coordinator/ Member in 22 funded research programs; Reviewer in more than 100 publications in peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings; Member of the Board of the Greek Society for Horticultural Science; Editorial board member of the American Journal of Plant Science.
Dr. Aikaterini Martini, Post Doctora
Education: Postdoc focused on the development of edible-medicinal native plants in an extensive urban greenroof and investigation of the safety to be used regarding the accumulation of environmental pollutants in their tissues (Agricultural University of Athens (AUA), 2016-present), Ph.D. in Floriculture (AUA, 2013), specializing in micropropagation, M.Sc. in Floriculture (AUA, 2005), Degree in Crop Production (AUA, 2002).
Work Experience: Researcher at AUA on seed propagation, cuttings and tissue culture and growth in nursery conditions of salvia species (T1EDK-04923, EPAnEK, 2019-present) and other native plants (Thalis / NSRF Program, 2012-2015), as well as the production of propagation material Anigozantos through micropropagation (2018), Secretariat support of the Postgraduate Studies Program of the Department of Crop Production Science. (2017-present), Ministry of Rural Development & Food (2009-2010; 2005-2006), Municipality of Ilioupolis, Department of Green (2007-2008), Payments & Audit Organization, OPEKEPE (2005).
Teaching Experience: Floriculture and Ornamental Plants in Higher Education (Self-taught in ΑUA, 2016-2019; T.E.I. of Kalamata, 2006-2007) and in Technological Secondary Education (EPAS OAED Chalkida, 2012-2014 ); environmental education of students (AUA, 2017, interactive information on the importance of urban green and native plants) and adults (SDE of Agioi Anargyri, 2014-2015).
Publications in international journals: 19. Conference attendance: 7 international, with 14 presentations, and 9 national, with 25 presentations. Research Programs: 6.
Konstantinos Bertzouklis, Research and teaching associate
Dr. Konstantinos Bertzouklis is a Research and Teaching associate Laboratory of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture AUA. He graduated from the Department of Crop Production of AUA in 1993; in 2000 he completed his postgraduate studies specializing in Floriculture at the Department of Crop Production Science of AUA. His doctoral thesis was presented at the Laboratory of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture of AUA (2012) specializing in micropropagation, seed ecophysiology and phylogenetic study with morphological and molecular markers (RAPDS-DNA). From 1993 to 2005 he worked as an agronomist in the Department of Horticulture in the Municipality of Piraeus, as a manager of urban green in municipal districts. His teaching experience relates to laboratory courses at undergraduate and postgraduate level as well as lectures-courses in postgraduate programs at other Departments and Universities. His research interests focus on native species and their use as ornamental plants, as well as the study of species whose populations are pressured by human activity or other factors contributing to their conservation; proliferation-tissue culture, the study of soil mixtures with native species, vegetation management, the use of native species in archaeological sites, the ecophysiology of seeds, the control of the development of floricultural species and the phylogenetic study using molecular and morphological of markers.
He is curator of the Botanical Garden of the Laboratory of Landscaping and Architecture and has been trained and collaborated with the University Botanical Gardens of Padua, Florence and Bologna. He was the coordinator of the Attica Refugee Pilot Program: 2017-2018: "Development of Attica Pilot Pilot Program" (European Union, European Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund 2014-2020) and has participated as a research fellow in five research programs with the most recent: 1.10.2018-31.12.2018: "Contribution to the Development of Lycabettus Hill Management Plan (Assistant Prof. M. Papafotiou, Leventis Foundation) and 1.3.2013-15.10.2015: THALIS-" Completed Vegetation Management in Ancient Areas for Protection and Promotion of the Monument of the Historic Landscape "(Science. Lead. Prof. M. Papafotiou, NSFR). He has 21 publications in international journals, has participated in 11 international and 11 national conferences, with 22 and 28 presentations respectively and is a reviewer of scientific publications. He is a Certified Adult
Trainer and has worked with the Institute of Agricultural Sciences (IGE), the Center for the Treatment of Addicted Persons (KETHEA) and the Research University Institute of Mental Hygiene (ISIP). He has given lectures in meetings and volunteered to study and plant in military units and public parks and he participates in the organization and presidency of conferences and workshops.
Lamprini Tassoula, PhD Candidate
Mrs Lamprini Tassoula has graduated from Faculty of Crop Science of Agricultural University of Athens in 2004 and has received her MSc. from the same University in 2010 with an expertise on green roofs and use of native plants. She is a PhD candidate, studying the growth, anatomical and physiological parameters of native Mediterranean plants, under water stress and different types of medium, in roof garden. Her experience on green roofs is substantiated by 24 publications in international journals, international and national conferences. Her expertise in this area has been commuted to undergraduate students through technical support at the Floricultural Laboratory. She has an eight-year teaching experience in Technological Secondary Schools and Institutes of Business Training as well as an eight-month work experience in Urban Landscape Management at Department of Park and Trees of Ilioupolis’ Municipality, a two-year teaching experience training olive oil producers under AGRO system culture and a four-month teaching experience in a European program concerning immigrant teenagers. She has Pedagogical competence, School of Pedagogical and Technological Education (2017) and she is included in the Hellenic Food Authority Trainers Register (2017). She was a lecturer in many public activities about urban green. Now she works as Scientific director of the company "YDRIA - ALGAE HEALTH".
Georgia Vlachou, PhD Candidate
MSc. στη Λαχανοκομία (Γ.Π.Α., 2010), με εξειδίκευση στην υδροπονική καλλιέργεια της μπάμιας, Πτυχίο Φυτικής Παραγωγής (Γ.Π.Α., 2008). Εργασιακή εμπειρία: Οργανισμός Ελληνικών Γεωργικών Ασφαλίσεων (ΕΛ.Γ.Α.) (2018, 8 μήνες), ερευνήτρια στο Γ.Π.Α. με αντικείμενο τον πολλαπλασιασμό με σπόρο, μοσχεύματα και ιστοκαλλιέργεια διαφόρων αυτοφυών φυτών (Πρόγραμμα ΕΣΠΑ/ΘΑΛΗΣ 2012-15), Υπουργείο Αγροτικής Ανάπτυξης και Τροφίμων - Δενδροκομικός Σταθμός Ξυλοκάστρου (2012-13, 12 μήνες) και Διεύθυνση Αγροτικής Ανάπτυξης, Τμήμα Δακοκτονίας (2009, 5 μήνες). Δημοσιεύσεις σε διεθνή περιοδικά: 9. Συμμετοχή σε συνέδρια: 4 διεθνή, με 7 παρουσιάσεις και 6 εθνικά, με 18 παρουσιάσεις. Ερευνητικά προγράμματα: 4.
Electra Kanellou, Doctorate
Ph.D. in Landscape Architecture (A.U.A., 2019), MSc. in Landscape Architecture (A.U.A., 2011), undegraduate degree from the Faculty of Crop Science (A.U.A., 2009). Εργασιακή εμπειρία: ερευνήτρια στο Γ.Π.Α., σε πρόγραμμα ΕΣΠΑ/ΘΑΛΗΣ (2011-2015). Διδακτική εμπειρία: στη διαχείριση της αυτοφυούς βλάστησης σε αρχαιολογικούς χώρους, ως προσκεκλημένη ομιλήτρια στο μεταπτυχιακό Αρχιτεκτονικής Τοπίου του Γ.Π.Α. (2015). Δημοσιεύσεις σε διεθνή περιοδικά: 12. Συμμετοχή σε συνέδρια: 11 διεθνή, με 22 παρουσιάσεις και 6 εθνικά, με 14 παρουσιάσεις. Ερευνητικά προγράμματα: 1.
KALANTZI CHARA team
Chara Kalantzi, Agronomist
Chara graduated from the Alexander Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki in 2006 (Faculty of crop science) and started her own business soon after. She is well-experienced in managing a nursery and specialized in marketing and sales of floricultural products. In her nursery she grows more than 50 different species, covering 3,6 ha of cultivation area with special focus on aromatic plants. The last few years she has signed important contracts of exclusivity with breeders from Australia (RAMM BOTANICALS) and from Denmark (GRAFF KRISTENSEN) representing and marketing their genetics in Europe. There are 14 employees in her business, 4 of which graduated from higher education.
Anastasios Kalantzis, Agronomist
Anastasios graduated from the Agricultural University of Athens, faculty of Crop of Science (2008), and holds a MSc in Agricultural Engineering from the same University and a MSc in Human Resources Management from National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (2012). He is elected vice-president of Greek Nurserystock Association and has worked for 2 years in Holland on floricultural sector. In 2010 he was appointed as production manager in family business “KALANTZIS PLANTS” where part of his job was the development of production protocols for new products and varieties and their commercial spread in Europe. He is an external partner in breeding actions of Angus Steward, testing and selecting new genetics for commercial growing.
Dimitrios Kanellopoulos, Agronomist
Dimitrios graduated from the Alexander Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki in 2005 (Faculty of crop science) and holds and MSc in Horticulture from Reading University in England (2006). He has worked for 2 years in the USA and returned in Greece in 2009 to work as quality consultant in agricultural businesses. He is well-experienced in creating plant production, rooting and quality protocols, in the fields of certifications and quality control and in integrated pest management. He has collaborated with several agribusiness associations and companies in agricultural certifications sector as well as with private growers. The last two years he is an external partner of “KALANTZI CHARA” company.
Eleftherios Dariotis, Agronomist
Eleftherios graduated from the Alexander Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki in 2004 (Faculty of crop science) and holds an MSc in Plant Biology «Ecology, Systematics and Evolution» from Davis University (2005) and an MSc in Horticulture from Reading University (2006). He was worked as Director of the Green sector in several Municipalities of Attica and has been external partner in landscaping offices helping in designing gardens. He is also an external partner of several Botanical Gardens from the USA and holds a great collection of Salvias with more than 200 different species in Paiania (Attica), which is a place of visit for dozens of floriculture specialists from around the world. Thanks to his deep knowledge of the Greek flora, he organizes trips and visits to the Greek nature where he guides visitors who want to see rare species growing in their native environment.
Eleftherios-Georgios Stylias, Agronomist
Eleftherios graduated from Agricultural University of Athens, Department of Natural Resources Management & Agricultural Engineering (2014) and holds an Msc in Plant Breeding from the same University (2017). He has worked as a manager in cotton population breeding and as external partner in varieties’ evaluation of soybean and sorghum. He also spent a year in landscaping industry, working in construction of gardens and parks before getting hired as a head-breeder of a breeding program in Salvia from “KALANTZI CHARA”. He is a certified agronomist for AGRO 2-1/2-2 and well-experienced user of statistical software.