Short-term exchange at AUA

Between 23 and 27 February 2026, Dr. Janja Vidmar (JSI) was hosted by Prof. Dimitrios Savvas at the Laboratory of Vegetable Production, Agricultural University of Athens (AUA). The main objective of the visit was to review and finalize the experimental design of an ongoing hydroponic strawberry cultivation experiment conducted under controlled greenhouse conditions at AUA.

The experiment, which started in January 2026 with the planting of 300 strawberry seedlings, investigates the potential uptake of micro- and nanoplastic particles and associated plastic additives into the edible parts of strawberries. The study also aims to evaluate the potential impact of plastic use in agriculture, particularly plastic mulching films, on strawberry production and food safety. During the visit, the experimental design and implementation procedures were discussed in detail. In the experiment, half of the plants are irrigated with a standard nutrient solution (control group) until the end of May, while the remaining plants receive a nutrient solution supplemented with 1 mg/L of micro- and nanoplastic particles for a period of two months. The study includes two strawberry cultivars grown on two commonly used substrates, coconut coir and rock wool, enabling the evaluation of the influence of cultivar type and substrate on the uptake of micro- and nanoplastics as well as on key strawberry quality parameters.

Following the completion of the experiment, the collected plant and substrate samples will be analyzed by InPlasTwin project partners using advanced analytical techniques in order to assess the presence of micro- and nanoplastics and associated chemical compounds. The visit contributed to strengthening collaboration between project partners and ensured the proper coordination and implementation of this key experimental activity within the InPlasTwin research framework.