Final Visit to Chalastra for This Cultivating Season
Our team returned to the field for the final stage of this season’s cultivation, conducting precise sampling across multiple zones affected by Echinochloa spp. and red rice. This ground-truthing process, along with accurate RTK-GPS mapping, will help us validate and cross-reference data captured through drone imagery.
We also utilized PhenoCheck – provided by Spectricon -, for in-situ monitoring, collecting valuable data on both rice and every detected weed, where this information enhanced and greatly contributed to our precise ground-truthing process. In addition to our ground-truth data and its parallel validation with drone imagery, we are pleased to announce that we have completed our set of drone flights for this rice cultivation season!
We would like to express our gratitude to everyone who were involved, including the project coordinator Dr. Demos Chachalis, Kostas Kravvas for his heart-warming hosting to his rice cultivation fields, Dr. Gerassimos Peteinatos for his valuable drone and weed-mapping knowledge, Agronomist Aggeliki Petraki for contributing into precise sampling and statistical analysis, our drone pilots Zoi Tserioni and Chryssi Kopaka, along with the technical crew from UCANDRONE S.A. for their constant support. We’re also very grateful to have the nessesary equipment provided, and acquired from Benaki Phytopathological Institute and Soil & Water Resources Institute ELGO DΙΜITRA.
Second Drone Flight Completed
August couldn’t have started better with our second flight in Chalastra! We set up once again for the next phase of our flights’ programme, led by our project coordinator Dr. Demos Chachalis.
A heartfelt thank you to UCANDRONE S.A., and especially to Kyriakos Kotzamanogloy and George Tsiaparas, for their direct communication and unwavering technical (and emotional) support for our dedicated drone pilots Zoi Tserioni and Chryssi Kopaka.
We also extend our gratitude to Dr. Vassilios Pisinaras and Soil & Water Resources Institute, ELGO-DIMITRA for providing the RTK-GPS and to Dr. Gerassimos Peteinatos for his valuable in-field geo-referencing work and insights into drone image stitching.
Thessaloniki International Fair
Our team is proud to announce that the ARTs project, developed as part of the Benaki Phytopathological Institute initiatives, was recently presented at the Thessaloniki International Fair.
Presented by Dr. Demos Chachalis at the Greek Ministry of Rural Development and Food booth, the project highlighted how ARTs will leverage digital tools to combat rice weeds of severe economic impact, such as Echinochloa spp., Cyperus spp. and weedy rice (Oryza spp.) – three persistent weeds that severely affect rice crop yields.
We are thrilled to have been part of this impactful event and look forward to continuing our work on projects that contribute to the future of sustainable agriculture.
First Flight in Chalastra
ARTs has successfully conducted its first flight in Chalastra. Despite facing challenges like intense heat, humidity, and of course mosquitoes 🦟, our dedicated team persevered and completed all required flights and relevant measurements.
Special thanks to Kostas Kravvas for hosting us at his rice fields and providing the ideal environment for our work.
ARTs kick-off meeting
On Thursday, April 18th, we had the first kick-off meeting for PreWeM and ARTs at Benaki Phytopathological Institute, funded by the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation. With approximately 18 members participating both in-person and remotely, the event was a great success! Huge thanks to everyone who joined us and contributed their valuable insights.
Special shoutout to the coordinators of this program, Dr. Gerassimos Peteinatos and Dr. Dinos Ferentinos, and a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Demos Chachalis for his invaluable contributions to idea exchange and sharing of opinions, and for graciously hosting us at Benaki Phytopathological Institute (BPI). Looking forward to the journey ahead as we work together towards our goals!