Anastasia Fountouli

Background: Edible insects constitute a healthy food source with high nutritional value, promoted in coordinated efforts to address global food insecurity by providing a sustainable alternative to tradi-tional animal protein. The present study sought to explore consumers’ perceptions and attitudes to-ward insect consumption, and also define the main motivational factors influencing public awareness and acceptance toward entomophagy. Methods: Using a qualitative research design, individual-level data were selected from a sample of 70 consumers in Greece via semi-structured personal in-depth interviews. The Grounded Theory frame-work was adopted to develop awareness, perception and acceptance drivers. Results: Although a small proportion of participants completely ignored the usage of insects as food and food ingredients, the great majority demonstrated abhorrence toward entomophagy, describing feelings of disgust and repulsion. Furthermore, respondents seemed to be reluctant towards the inclusion of edible insects and insect-based food options available to consumer markets through the food pro-cessing businesses and food distribution channels. Food safety concerns were strong since many con-sumers seemed to question the regulations in insect cultivation and the preparation of insect-based foods. Conclusions: Lack of information and cultural influences were found to restrict consumers’ acceptance of entomophagy, whereas health and food safety concerns comprised an inhibiting factor in incorporating edible insects and insect components in the Greek cuisine. This study emphasized the need for a holis-tic information plan, which will help both food businesses and consumers understand the vital role of edible insects in modern food environments.

The growing negative environmental effects associated with chemical fertilizers have led to the promotion of organic fertilizers in agriculture. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impacts of organic fertilization on nitrogen and phosphorus content, uptake and use efficiency in Origanum dictamnus (Dittany) cultivation. With this aim, a randomized complete blocks field experiment was carried out in Istron Kalou Xoriou (Agios Nikolaos—Crete). The study included three fertilization treatments (N0: 0 kg/ha−1, N1: 1250 kg/ha−1 and N2: 2500 kg/ha−1). Throughout the growing period, measurements were taken for the plant’s content, uptake and efficiency indices of total nitrogen (TN) and phosphorus (P). The findings indicated that the fertilization doses affect nutrient uptake and efficiency. The highest values of TN and P were recorded 60 days after transplants. N1 treatment showed the greatest improvement in nitrogen use efficiency, while phosphorus use efficiency reached its maximum level under N2 treatment. That research can contribute to achieving an in-depth insight of organic fertilization practices for aromatic and medicinal plants such as Dittany, promoting a sustainable agricultural strategy and enhancing product quality.

Abstract Studies across multiple soils find increasing pH decreases water repellency. In this study, water repellency and a range of other soil physical properties of bulk soils, aggregates and intact specimens were measured on a long-term pH field experiment on a single sandy loam soil under a ley-arable crop rotation, with soil pH adjustments occurring annually by adding FeSO 4 or CaCO 3 , to lower or raise the pH, respectively. Crop impacts were investigated by comparing 3rd year grass-white clover to spring oats, at the beginning (May) and end (September) of the growing season to allow soil structure comparisons. As in previous research, increased CO 2 microbial respiration ( p <0.05) was found with increasing pH along the gradient, but in this study, we found only the aggregate and soil bulk density affected by soil pH. Soil-water contact angles differed between crops ( p <0.05), as well as the repellency index of soil aggregates, however, there was no soil pH effect. Overall, differences in data were found to be a result of the various crops in the rotation rather than by soil pH, indicating only minor impacts on soil physical characteristics after > 55 years of chemical additions to amend soil pH.

Medicinal and aromatic plants are a consistent component of the biodiversity heritage in numerous countries worldwide. Origanum dictamnus L. (Lamiaceae family), also known as Dittany, an endemic plant of the Greek island of Crete, has been widely used as traditional medicine since antiquity, all over Europe. The aim of the present review is to provide a thorough and detailed account of Dittany in antiquity, the plant’s physical characteristics and ecology, and its cultivation methods, as well as its chemical components, biological properties, and pharmacological studies. The information is presented and analyzed in a critical manner. A total of 86 research studies were systematically reviewed based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The findings indicate that Dittany is one of the most important medicinal and aromatic plants, with many uses not only in pharmacology but also in gastronomy. While a large body of literature exists regarding the application of essential oils, the number of publications concerning the plant’s cultivation is rather small. Therefore, the main focus of this review is on the cultivation methods and the significance of cultivating and employing Dittany in Greece and the wider Mediterranean region in the future. Further research on this plant species is warranted since it has significant medicinal, economic, and environmental value.

In recent years, there has been a growing tendency towards using organic fertilizers instead of chemical ones. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of the organic fertilizer, Prima Humica, on agronomic characteristics and herbaceous plant diversity on Origanum dictamnus (Dittany) cultivation. A field experiment was carried out in Kalo Xorio (Lasithi, Crete) and included three different nitrogen organic fertilization schemes: 0 g/plant (T0—unfertilized), 300 g/plot (T1), and 600 g/plot (T2). Plant height, fresh and dry weight, Leaf Area Index (LAI), and plant diversity during the growing season were measured. The results showed that when the T2 treatment was compared with the unfertilized and the T1 fertilizer, the increase in plant height ranged between 9.18% and 40.61%. Moreover, the total fresh and dry weight were positively affected by the T2 treatment. The total fresh and dry weight varied from 111.6 to 239.8 g per plant and from 36.7 to 77.6 g per plant, respectively. Furthermore, LAI was ameliorated using the T2 fertilizer scheme. Concerning plant diversity, a key finding in this study is that the O. dictamnus ecosystem favors herbaceous plant species richness and Shannon’s diversity index. In total, 18 plant species in the O. dictamnus ecosystem were recorded in the study area. The most frequently occurring plants were Anthemis arvensis L. and Piptatherum miliaceum (L.) Coss. Finally, the highest Shannon’s diversity index of herbaceous plants was detected using the T2 fertilizer scheme.

Επιρροή των μακροπρόθεσμων μεταβολών του pH εδάφους ενός ερευνητικού αγροτεμαχίου που επιδέχεται μεταβολές στο pH του χώματος του απο το 1960. Η επίδραση αυτών των μεταβολών πάνω σε μία σειρά φυσικών ιδιοτήτων του χώματος και στην παραγωγικότητα και ανθεκτικότητα των φυτών σε κακουχίες μελετήθηκε μέσα απο μία σειρά εργαστηριακών πειραμάτων συμπεριλαμβανομένων κακουχιών πλημμύρας και ξηρασίας.