About the project
The ARTs project is a groundbreaking 24-month initiative designed to tackle herbicide-resistant weeds in rice cultivation in Thessaloniki, Greece, the nation’s most vital rice-producing region. Targeting three major weed species – Oryza sativa, Echinochloa spp., and Cyperus difformis—which have developed resistance to ALS and ACCase inhibitors, the project addresses a critical threat to crop sustainability and farm profitability. Using state-of-the-art technologies, the project integrates UAVs with advanced sensors to conduct high-resolution field mapping for precise weed detection. Artificial Neural Networks analyze this data to identify infestations, while a chlorophyll fluorescence sensor detects herbicide resistance early by monitoring plant stress after treatment. Additionally, a comprehensive weed resistance database and a Fuzzy Logic-based prediction tool will provide farmers with science-backed recommendations for sustainable herbicide use and resistance management. By combining precision agriculture, advanced analytics, and farmer engagement, the ARTs project aims to significantly reduce herbicide dependency, mitigate resistance, and improve rice yields. Its innovative approach will not only safeguard rice farming in Greece but also contribute to sustainable agricultural practices aligned with European goals for smart and eco-friendly farming.
About Benaki Phytopathological Institute
Laboratory of Weed Science
The Laboratory of Weed Biology of the Benaki Phytopathological Institute is today the most important organized scientific and research unit for weed issues in Greece.
The aim of the research and scientific activity of the Weed Science Laboratory is to develop the knowledge and technology required for the management of weeds in various crops in our country, with a view to efficiency, cost-effectiveness and the protection of natural resources and the environment.
The work of the Department is addressed to various departments of the Ministry of Rural Development & Food and other State agencies with the provision of relevant opinions, as well as to farmers, producer groups, cooperatives and other interested parties with the provision of instructions for the integrated and biological management of weed problems.
Since 1965, the Weed Laboratory has maintained a herbarium collection, which is constantly enriched and contains a large number of weed species from all over the country.
The Laboratory participates in the implementation of research projects, funded by the European Union or the private sector, in the framework of which it cooperates with research institutions in Greece and abroad.
Meet our team
Project Coordinator
Dr Dimosthenis Chachalis
Agronomist, Weed Scientist, Research Director, and Head of the Weed Science Laboratory at the Benaki Phytopathological Institute (BPI) (2012–present). He is the leader of the European Weed Research Society (EWRS) Working Group on “Sustainable Use of Herbicides” (2022–present) and a member of the EWRS Scientific Council. He is the elected President of the Hellenic Weed Science Society (HWSS) for the 2024–2026 term and a peer reviewer for international scientific journals. He has published over 50 research papers in international journals (citations: 2,213; h-index: 21; i10-index: 36). Dr. Chachalis has participated as either coordinator or BPI team leader in numerous major European (HORIZON, PRIMA, c-IPM, LIFE+) and national projects (RESEARCH/CREATE/INNOVATE).
Scientific Manager
Zoi-Marina Tserioni
Agronomist and Research Assistant at the Weed Science Laboratory of BPI and the Soil and Water Resources Institute, ELGO-DIMITRA. She holds a degree in Natural Resource Management and Agricultural Engineering from the Agricultural University of Athens (AUA) and an MSc in “Digital Technologies and Smart Infrastructures in Agriculture” from AUA. Her research, published in international journals and conferences, focuses on Precision Agriculture with an emphasis on weed science and soil science/nutrition/fertilization of plants. She also holds an open-category drone pilot license (A1/A3 & A2).
Technical Expert
Chryssi Kopaka
Agronomist and Research Assistant at the the Department of Agricultural Engineering, Soil & Water Resources Institute (SWRI) of ELGO DEMETER. She holds a degree in Agriculture from the Department of Agricultural Development in Orestiada (DUTH), specializing in plant production management, plant protection, and environmental management. She also holds a MSc degree in “Digital Technologies and Smart Infrastructures in Agriculture” from AUA. Her research, published in international journals and conferences, focuses on Precision Agriculture with an emphasis on detecting pesticide residues in agricultural products, machine learning and weed science. She is also an open category drone pilot (A1/A3 & A2) with hours of flying experience.
Technical Expert
Aggeliki Petraki
Agronomist (Technological Educational Institute). She works as a Research Assistant at the Weed Science Laboratory of BPI. She holds a degree in Plant Production from the University of Peloponnese and an MSc in “Innovative Applications in Sustainable Agriculture, Plant Breeding, and Agrometeorology” from AUA. Her research, published in international journals and conferences, covers topics in Weed Science, Agriculture, and Plant Breeding/Propagation Material. She has participated in European and national research programs at AUA and BPI.
Technical Expert
Dimitrios Blotsos
Agronomist (BSc). He works as a Research Assistant at the Weed Science Laboratory of BPI. He holds a degree in Agribusiness and Rural Development and is pursuing an MSc in “Digital Technologies and Smart Infrastructures in Agriculture” at AUA. He has professional experience in agronomy, including testing fertilizers, seeds, plant varieties, and pest/disease/weed management measures. Additionally, he holds an open-category drone pilot license (A1/A3 & A2).
Collaborating Partner
Dr Peteinatos Gerassimos
Agricultural Engineer, Electrical and Computer Engineer, Researcher (Grade C, Precision Agriculture with emphasis on Agricultural Machinery), Institute of Soil and Water Resources, ELGO-DIMITRA. Degree, Agricultural University of Athens (GPA) and National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) and PhD (Precision Agriculture) at the University of Hohenheim, Germany. Research interests: Precision Agriculture, Weed Management Engineering, Mapping with SEM. In the last 5 years he has been involved as principal investigator in 3 projects and participated as researcher in 7 others. He has participated as guest editor in 5 special issues and is a subject editor in Agronomy magazine. He is treasurer of the Hellenic Weed Society and was a member of the organizing committee of a workshop, a Greek conference and the local organizing committee of the 19th Symposium of the European Weed Research Society. He has authored 43 publications in peer-reviewed journals and 40 publications in conferences (citations = 933, h-index = 19). He holds a patent from the Österreichische’s Patentamt.
