ARI REVIEW FOR 2016-2017

FLORICULTURE/NATIVE PLANTS Research activity focused on the evaluation of crop production systems and practices of ornamentals in the open field and/or greenhouses, covering all stages of flower production. More recently, the research activities have been focused on the evaluation of species from the Cyprus flora for potential use in commercial floriculture and landscape. Moreover, there is a close cooperation with the European Botanic Group Consortium, since the ARI represents Cyprus to the meetings of the consortium. During 2016-17, the joint research activity with the Estonian University of Life Sciences to study the genetic diversity and reproduction ability of a terrestrial orchid was concluded and a paper with the study results was published, while there was also a participation in a research joint activity with the Cyprus Institute for the use of green roofs in the Mediterranean Region. Evaluation of endemic and native species of the Cyprus flora for potential use in commercial floriculture and landscaping This research project was initiated in September 2015 in collaboration with the Department of Environment and the Forestry Department of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, and the Frederick University, under the coordination of Floriculture lab of ARI. The Mediterranean is characterised by a reach flora where unique species occur. Similarly, Cyprus due to the special climatic conditions, has developed a rich and unique flora with high percentage of endemism that accounts to 8.6%. These species are ideal for use in commercial floriculture as pot plants and in landscaping due to the fact that they are well adapted under the climatic conditions of Cyprus and possibly require a decreased amount of inputs when under cultivation. The aim of the project is the creation of a collection of different species from the Cyprus flora that have a potential use in commercial floriculture and the in-depth study and evaluation of these species. Specifically, research activities concern the collection of the material from the wild where these species naturally occur and the development of propagation protocols both for sexual (from seeds) and asexual (from cuttings) propagation. Furthermore, after the propagation of these plants, the growth and development of these plants will be studied and evaluated so as to create cultivation protocols. ( L. Vassiliou ) Joint research activity with the Department of Botany, Estonian University of Life Sciences for the terrestrial orchid Anacamptis Pyramidalis The aim of this research project was to evaluate the genetic diversity and reproduction ability of deceptive terrestrial orchid Anacamptis pyramidalis in its distribution range, in Estonia, which serves as the northern border of its distribution area of this species and in the populations located at the southern edge of the range, on the island of Cyprus. In addition, populations from Slovenia and Spain were evaluated. The study revealed no decline in genetic diversity in disjunct populations in Estonia at the northern border of the distribution area of this species, nor in the populations located at the southern range, on the island of Cyprus. Similarly, edge populations were not more differentiated from each other than the central populations in Slovenia and in Spain. The results suggest that the degree of genetic variation is determined by the size of populations rather than geographic location of this species and underlines the impact of long-distance gene flow on the maintenance of genetic diversity in connection with major range shifts in the past. ( L. Vassiliou ) Joint research activity with the Cyprus Institute, Energy, Environment and Water Research Center, for testing substrates, plant species and irrigation treatments for developing a zero-water green roof The aim of this research project, which was carried out between February 2016 and April 2017 was to evaluate the various benefits of the green roofs to the built environment. The objectives of the study were (i) to quantify stormwater retention of two substrate mixtures, (ii) to assess the performance of two plant species ( Euphorbia veneris and Frankenia laevis ) under two deficit irrigation treatments (15% and 30% reference evapotranspiration, 60 Natural Resources and Environment