Agronomist, mycologist, mushroom grower.
Born 18/04/1969, married, 3 children.
Higher education studies in the Agricultural University of Athens. Diploma thesis carried out in the Laboratory of General & Agricultural Microbiology in the field of genetics of “coremia-forming” Pleurotus species on 1994-1996.
Present position since 2003
50% Owner of the “Dirfis Mushrooms” company. Weekly production; 120tns incubated and 120tns spawned substrate in blocks . Monthly production of 40tns of fresh exotic mushrooms. Shiitake growing. Consultancy in all fields of mushroom growing - managment. Harvesting and packing experience of wild Greek mushrooms (Boletus spp., Cantharellus spp., Morchella spp. etc).
Practical experience in the following companies
Cyanamid Hellas S. A (R&D dept. ). 1994.
Champignonkulturen Dietramzell Lutjenseer (Agaricus growing). 1992.
Lutjenseer Champignonkulturen Dietramzeller (loader driver in compost yard and casing preparation). 1991.
Business experience
From Jan. 1996 to Dec. 1996: Participation in planning-supervising the construction project of the “Hellenic Mushroom Farm S.A.” (21 rooms of 357m2, fancom 765 control system, 4 indoor , 2 pasteurization and 6 incubation tunnels, conserve line, laboratory).
From Oct. 1996 until July 2003: Production Manager (growing, packaging & Q.C. dept.). Annual production of 1000 tons of fresh Agaricus mushrooms and 250 tons Pleurotus.
Some of the visits and activities in abroad ;
- Middlebrook Mushroom Ltd, Bristol. UK. ( 1995).
- Horticulture Research Institute, Wellesbourne, UK. (1995).
- Lesage Kompost, St Louis, Belgium. (1996).
- Mushroom Experimental Station, Horst, Holland. (1996).
- Christiaens Agro industries Group, Horst, Holland. ( 1996).
- Teween Kompost, Holland.(1997).
- Fancom Agro computer, Holland. (Απρ. 1997).
- Fungi del Montello, και Italspawn, Italy. (Φεβ. 1998).
- Campden Chloreywood Food Research Association.Chipping Campden, UK.(1998).Seminar «Mushrooms Quality control ».
10. Keijers Champignons B.V. και Euroveen BVB Holland. ( 2000).
11. Fengfu Co.China. (May 2006)
Other Qualifications
Participation in international (Oxford 1996, Maastrich 2000) and national mycological congresses (publications in the proceedings).
Some indicative publications in English;
- Lachouvaris E., Balis C., Zervakis G.(1995). Effect of enviromental factors on the germination of Pleurotus cystidiosus basidiospores. In the Sc. and Cult. οf Edible Fungi, pp. 833-841. Edited by Elliott, A. Balkerma, Rotterdam.
- P.Diamantopoulou, A.Philippoussis, E.Lahouvaris, G.Parissopoulos (2000). The effect of calcium chloride irrigation on quality and yield of Agaricus bisporus. Ιn the Science and Cultivation of Edible Fungi, pp. 475-481. Van Griensven (ed.) 2000 Balkema, Rotterdam, ISBN 90 5809 143 0.
- Karahalios S., Papadoulis G., Lahouvaris E. (2000). Investigation on mites associated with the cultivation of Agaricus bisporus in Greece. Poster presentation
Publications concerning mushrooms in Greek agricultural magazines and newspapers.
Founding member of the Hellenic Solid Waste Management Association (HSWMA).
Recording of fungi in Epirus area and Evia island (herbarium, cd-rom , Dvd creation). Greek T.V. channels presentations and interviews.
Participation as scientific collaborator in national (Greek General Secretariat of Research and Technology: PAVET SYN 1996, RETEX 1999, EPAN-FP66) and international scientific projects (EU: Recoveg 2002, Improlive 2002).
Agronomist, agronomist , compost maker
Born 17/03/1969, married. 2 children.
Higher education studies in the Agricultural University of Athens. Diploma thesis carried out in the field of Leyland seedlings trials in nursery.
Present position;
50% Owner of “Dirfis mushrooms” (the first modern Pleurotus substrate plant build in March 2004 supplying the 95% of the Greek farms). Weekly production; 120tns incubated and 120tns spawned substrate in blocks. Shiitake growing. Technical consultancy in compost making, construction of new farms and mushroom growing .
Practical experience in the following companies;
Technician in the field of steel constructions and building greenhouses .
Agaricus machinery lines, design – construction of new production lines .
Business experience
Compost dept. director in “Hellenic Mushroom Farm S.A” From Oct. 1996 till August 2003 production manager (growing, packaging & Q.C. dept.).
Maintenance manager, new constructions, machinery building, greenhouses for Pleurotus .
Training visits in european compost yards, Training in the new methods of composting by Marc Lemmens.
