“Under no circumstances will the flood cancel or render inactive the lands of the Thessalian plain”, Prof. N. Danalatos emphasizes to APE-MBE, saying however that “some degree of temporary degradation of productivity” is expected.

“Soils where the transported materials have a thickness smaller than the plowing depth (20-30 cm) will not be affected because when the water is withdrawn and the soil moisture is reduced to a degree that allows tillage (rogos), plowing and mixing with the fertile substrate”. This is what the professor at the University of Thessaly, Mr. Nikos Danalatos, emphasized to the Athenian-Macedonian News Agency, referring to the extent to which the bad weather Daniel affected the lands of the Thessalian plain.

He does not fail to emphasize how “in areas where the depth of the transported materials is more than 50-60 cm thick, depending on the transported materials, cultivation will be difficult and the new soil substrate formed will be stratified, will have low porosity, will be easily compressed, disturbed (due to the silt) and will generally have degraded physical properties for a few years so that a decrease in productivity is expected which according to previous observations field will vary from 10-30% maybe even more”.

He also notes that in a few years (2-5), soil structure and porosity will gradually be created in these substrates, mixing with the subsoil will occur and productivity will gradually return to the original levels.

In soils where the transported materials have an intermediate thickness, a proportionately intermediate effect in terms of productivity is expected.

Speaking then about the lands that will have the biggest problem, Mr. Danalatos emphasizes that “usually the soils in the flood plain of the river will have the greatest problem (e.g. in a radius of about 1 km from the river beds and along it and the tributaries and streams).

At a greater distance is the meandering field with deposits of a smaller thickness and a finer texture (eg clay) and there the problem will be much smaller.” “But in no case will the flood, he explains, invalidate or render inactive the lands, beyond a temporary degradation of some degree of productivity as I mentioned above.”

“Certainly increasing inputs in the form of added organic matter and organic fertilizers can largely counteract any negative effects. We also recommend reduced cultivation due to the risk of compaction, disturbance and destruction of the structure, up to the use of no-till machines (sowing directly in the field)”, the professor also adds.

To conclude by emphasizing Mr. Danalatos: “The annual arable crops are mainly affected (cotton, maize, grains, vegetables, etc.). Deep-rooted tree crops will be affected to a much lesser extent.”