Dr. Spyros Lionakis is an agronomist with a degree from the Agricultural University of Athens
Emeritus Professor of Arboriculture
TEI of Crete
Dr. Spyros Lionakis holds a degree in Agronomy from the Agricultural University of Athens (1970) in Arboriculture and a PhD from Wye College of the University of London (1981) specializing in fruit tree physiology.
From 1972 to 2003 he was a permanent researcher at the Institute of Subtropical Plants and Olives of Chania (ETHIAGE). At the same time he was a research associate and visiting professor at the Department of Plant Production of the School of Agricultural Technology of the TEI of Crete (1988-2003) and at the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania (1985-2010).
From 2003 to 2012 he was a full professor at the Department of Plant Production of the School of Agricultural Technology of the TEI of Crete, while from 2012 he is an emeritus professor of arboriculture at the TEI of Crete.
His research activity is related to research on growth and fruiting, adaptation to climatic and soil conditions, evaluation of varieties and subjects, physiology and cultivation techniques in new alternative crops of Tropical and Subtropical fruit trees (Avocado, Mango, Panga, Mango , Despolia, Prickly Pear, Banana, Pomegranate, Kiwi, etc.) that could be cultivated commercially in Greece.
In order to carry out the above research, at least 150 varieties of 19 species of Tropical and Subtropical fruit trees (Citrus, Avocado, Kiwi, Banana, Mango, Cherimoya, Pecan, Date, Khiamadia, Feizoa, Caspian, Fijoa, Caspian , Passionflower, Macadamia, Hohoba, Sykia, Lotus, Lychee). In addition, from Greece, it located and researched 51 local genotypes from 6 species of Tropical and Subtropical fruit trees (Banana, Despolia, Prickly Pear, Sykia, Pomegranate, Carob). The above genetic material (import and local) has been planted and evaluated in experimental fields of a total area of 82 acres in estates of the Institute of Subtropical Plants and Olives of Chania from where they are given to nurseries grafts, cuttings and seeds of fine varieties to create to set up commercial plantations. Also, part of the aforementioned genetic material has been planted in an area of 3 acres on the farm of the TEI of Crete to cover the educational needs of the students of the School of Agricultural Technology of the TEI of Crete.
He has participated, in the coordination and implementation, in at least twenty research projects of the Institute of Subtropical Plants and Olives of Chania which were funded by the Ministry of Agriculture (1973-1991), by the GSRT (1972-1978), by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. (1984-1985), from the EU (MOP Crete, 1988-1992 and LACLAIR, 1995-1996) and from the PEP Crete program (1996-2000). Participated in the implementation of the program entitled “Support of the Oil Regulation program 1334 / 204-2005” with the implementing body the TEI of Crete (1-7-2005 until 31-10-2005). He has been the Scientific Officer and Head of the National Research Team for Greece in five competitive EU-funded research projects in collaboration with Germany (1985-1986), Spain (1989-1992), England-Spain-Italy-France-Sweden (1993-1996), with Italy-France-Spain (1996-1999), with Chile-Spain-Turkey (1996-1999) and in a program with Cyprus (1996-1998). He has represented Greece a) in the EU cooperation programs, COST822 (participation of 25 European and Mediterranean countries, 1994-1999) and COST843 (participation of 26 European and Mediterranean countries, 2000-2005) b) in the scientific cooperation groups of European and Mediterranean countries ( 1996-2001), Mediterranean Selected Fruits Inter-country –MESFIN- (participation of 12 countries), Pecan Subnetwork (participation of 13 countries) and COST G4 (participation of 9 countries).
He has taught Arboriculture courses, for Tropical, Subtropical and Mediterranean fruit trees, to undergraduate and postgraduate students at the TEI of Crete (1988 – 2012) and the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania (1985 – 2010), respectively. He supervised and guided at least 90 students from Agricultural Schools (AEI and TEI) and from the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania, to execute and write their dissertation (Bachelor’s or Master respectively). He has been invited as a speaker for new alternative crops of fruit trees in numerous training programs for Agronomists, Agricultural Technologists and farmers within educational programs organized by KEGE, NELE, ELKEPA, KEK, DIMITRA groups, associations, municipalities, communities, municipalities.
Has conducted at least 120 original scientific research papers on the physiology and management of alternative fruit tree crops, of which 30 have been published in international and national peer-reviewed journals, 30 in international conference proceedings, 35 in national conference proceedings and 25 in international conference proceedings. , while in addition at least 100 published works are studies, presentations, reports and informative articles. For his published research and scientific work there are at least 500 reports inside and outside the ISI Web of Science. Popularized results from his research work have been presented several times by local and national media (magazines, newspapers, radio, television) and have found practical application by several arborists. In addition, there are numerous references on the internet for his scientific and research work and for his contribution to the development of the primary sector. He has participated in at least 100 international and national scientific conferences and scientific meetings in which he announced the results of 82 research papers.
He has been a member of scientific conference committees, evaluation committees of national competing research proposals and a reviewer of research papers at international and national level. He has participated in working groups, Agricultural Research Councils, Scientific Committees and meetings of the Ministry of Agriculture, for development programs, for crop planning and scheduling, for genetic and propagating material, for the protection of plant material and for the restructuring of crops. He was an expert in the management of tropical and subtropical fruit tree plantations at the Ministry of Agriculture of Mauritius (26/7 – 14/8/2004) and application of modern techniques in arboriculture at the Ministry of Agriculture of Jordan (11-18 / 2/2005).
Articles and advice of the Agronomist Dr. Spyrou Lionaki
Dr. Spyros Lionakis, Agronomist
Emeritus Professor of Arboriculture TEI of Crete
Former Regular Researcher at the Olive Institute and
Subtropical Plants of Chania
PRIORITY OF MEDIUM & LATE SEASON AVOCADO VARIETIES »The agronomist Mr. Spyros Lionakis talks about the varieties that the Greek producer Avocado should prefer in order to increase its exports and the importance of the correct choice of the subject, as well as the role played by the Agricultural Research Institutions for dealing with problems in the cultivation.
Producers should carefully choose the variety of avocado that the market demands
and these are the mid-early Fuerte variety
and especially the middle and late season variety
Hass
More information … here
