The feature of the microorganisms of rumen microbiocenosis is the ability to form a number of digestive enzymes, including cellulases, which allows ruminants use the energy of feeds rich in fiber. Microorganisms that are promising as a source of cellulases, biodestructors of toxins having antagonistic properties against pathogens for creating probiotic feed additives, both for reindeer and for other livestock, were isolated from the reindeer rumen. The aim of the study was to create a collection of microorganisms that are promising for creating a biopreparation. As a result, collections of 63 associations of microorganisms decomposing cellulose and carboxymethylcellulose were created; their morphology and cultural properties were described. It was found that the amount of cellulose degradation was 44 – 62% in the 4 most active isolates (No 14, 15, 21 and 26). The obtained data allowed to make a conclusion about the ability of bacterial strains isolated from the rumen to synthesize cellulolytic enzymes carrying out cellulose biodegradation, which allows them to gain a competitive advantage in the rumen of the reindeer diets with an abundance of cellulose. Isolates No 14 and 15 showed high antagonistic activity to Fusarium sporotrichioides, and isolate No 15 and 16 showed high antagonistic activity to Fusarium oxysporum. Isolate No 15 showed a wider antifungal activity compared to other isolates. Among all isolated strains, this bacterial isolate is represented as having a large spectrum of activities, including both high cellulolytic and high antifingal activity.

Rhododendron spp. plants were surveyed for Phytophthora infection in Lithuania during 2010 – 2016. This study aims to identify Phytophthora genus pathogen which infects rhododendrons in Lithuania. Samples were taken from young sick plants with visible infection symptoms. Soil sampling was performed from the rhizosphere of sick plants. DNA from soil and plant was tested for the presence of Phytophthora genus pathogens. Data showed positive results of Phytophthora genus specific probe during real-time PCR. All tested diseased leaves and soil samples have indicated Phytophthora sp. infection during Alert-LF® Phytophthora spp. analysis. The extracted DNA concentrations were not very high for Phytophthora species identification, but in most cases, it was high enough for further researches.

A total amount of 90 pig tonsil samples were investigated to detect presence of Y.enterocolitica 4/O:3. Samples were collected in two large-scale Latvian slaughterhouses from five pig herds during February and March, 2006. Samples were investigated with direct plating onto selective CIN agar plates according to ISO 10273 method, with subsequent cold enrichment for 2 weeks at 4 deg C in accordance with NMKL 117 method. Y.enterocolitica positive isolates were investigated for pyrazinamidase and lipase activity, indole production and salicine, xylose, trehalose fermentation. Slide agglutination reaction with commercial antisera O:3 was carried out for detection of Y.enterocolitica sevovars. Pathogen was isolated from all five herds with 30% mean prevalence. Incidence of Y.enterocolitica 4/O:3 depending on herd varied from 20 to 45%. High incidence of Y.enterocolitica in pig tonsils indicates that animals are important reservoir of this pathogen in Latvia. Further studies about incidence of Y.enterocolitica pathogenic bioserotypes in pig population and contamination pattern with pathogen in slaughterhouses are needed.