ARI Biennial Review for 2018-2019

DIRECTOR'S REPORT "In Search of Excellence" Under the specter of the national and international economic crisis, the fundamental role of research and development in spearheading the economy has been widely acknowledged. In this current context, the Agricultural Research Institute (ARI) has reaffirmed its role as a driver of innovation and economic growth for the agricultural sector of Cyprus. Since its establishment, the Institute has been actively cooperating with national, regional and international organisations and research networks, including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the International Centre for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas (ICARDA), the International Potato Centre, the International Centre for Advanced Agronomic Mediterranean Studies (CIHEAM) and numerous academic institutions. Supported by its wide network of cooperation, the ARI has augmented its efforts for providing solutions to problems arising from the management of agricultural systems and of their footprint on the environment, and for providing novel methods and tools for the optimisation of agricultural productivity and sustainability. These efforts have been pursued through a substantial number of research activities, outlined below, many of which are supported by the European Union (EU) and the Research and Innovation Foundation. Plant Improvement has focused on the introduction, development and distribution of new varieties carrying the genetic potential for higher production, improved quality characteristics, resistance to pests and diseases and tolerance to abiotic stress, including drought. Particular emphasis has been given to the improvement of cereals, food legumes and fodders, utilising both field methods and molecular-genetic approaches. New varieties from the ARI’s breeding programmes have been registered in the National Catalogue, including varieties of bread wheat, common vetch, ground nut and barley. Plant Protection methods for the viral-disease-free production of citrus, grapevine and stone fruit stocks have been developed, including clonal and sanitary selection, thermotherapy, tissue culture and virus indexing techniques. The control of insect pests and soil-borne diseases has also been studied using conventional and advanced integrated methods in vegetables, grapevines, citrus and other fruit crops. Within the context of Integrated Crop Management (ICM), sustainable approaches for the control of pests and diseases in agricultural production have been tested, aimed at the production of agricultural commodities with minimal application of pesticides and other chemicals. Horticultural research programmes have focused on improving vegetable cultural practices and at evaluating new scion and rootstock varieties. Research activity aimed at improving vegetable crop management practices and at preserving postharvest quality through optimised handling methods. Particular attention has been given to rootstock-scion interaction in grafted watermelon and melon with respect to crop performance, fruit quality and storability. Nutritional safety characteristics of salad crops have been evaluated in relation to the impact of nitrogen fertilisation strategies. Postharvest work further examined the ripening physiology, quality and storability of watermelon, melon and cactus pear, while emphasis has been laid on fruit physicochemical characterisation of local pomegranate clones established in an ex situ clonal collection. Work on viticulture included the evaluation of new table grape varieties on American rootstocks. Local wine grape varieties have been evaluated and their ampelographic description has been in progress along with the collection, evaluation and morphological characterisation of in situ populations of wild vines and of old neglected varieties. Local clones of pomegranate and several cherry varieties have been evaluated, and in citrus research work on rootstock evaluation continued. The conservation, evaluation and management of local olive genetic resources remain a key priority, while clonal characterisation of olive fruit ripening and its implications on oil attributes 11 DIRECTOR'S REPORT