The objective of the research was to study the removal of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium with summer-pruned branches of apple-trees grown on dwarfing rootstocks under the influence of applied moisture regulation methods. The investigation was done at the Latvia State Institute of Fruit-Growing in Dobele, on the basis of an existing field experiment planted in 1997 with cultivar 'Melba' (rootstock B9) at 1.5 - 4 m trees spacing distances. Three different treatments of soil moisture management were compared: control (without moisture regime regulation), sawdust mulch and fertigation. Inter-row strips were covered by grass vegetation (Lolium perenne L. and Poa pratensis L., in proportion 1:3). Pruning of apple-trees was done in mid-July. The results of the research showed that the applied soil water regulation treatments (mulch and fertigation) had significant influence (p is less than 0.05) on the apple-tree biomass (leaves, one-year and older wood) removed by summer pruning, as well as on the content of dry matter in biomass. The contents of N and K were influenced both by the treatment and age of tree vegetative parts, but the content of P did not differ significantly among treatments or tree parts (p is greater than 0.05). Removal of N with summer-pruned leaves and branches was 30 kg haE-1 N in the mulch treatment and 16 - 17 kg haE-1 in control and fertigation treatments (p is less than 0.05). Removal of K in the control treatment was 19 kg haE-1, in the mulch treatment 40 kg haE-1, but in the fertigation treatment 27 kg haE-1 (p is less than 0.05). Removal of P varied from 5.04 to 9.84 kg haE-1, no significant differences were found among treatments (p is greater than 0.05).

The aim of the study was to investigate the properties of hyperspectral reflectance data of Scots pine (Pinus Sylvestris L.) and Norway spruce (Picea Abies L.). The hyperspectral reflectance data was obtained under laboratory conditions from the last season’s needles of healthy 20 year-old trees from the same site. Hyperspectral data was acquired using Themis Vision Systems LLC VNIR 400H portable scanning hyperspectral imaging camera in 400-1000 nm range. Methods of analysis of variance, discriminant analysis and principal component analysis were applied for the hyperspectral data analysis. Differences between Scots pine and Norway spruce reflection data were examined. The most informative spectral range for Norway spruce – Scots pine spectral separation was determined at 666.5 nm – 668.4 nm, most informative waveband - 667.1 nm. Reflectance variations among individual trees of the same species as well as differences in spectral response between needles from northern – southern crown exposition were tested. A significant variation in spectral response of needles of Norway spruce was detected across the whole measured spectral range (955 wavebands) for each sample tree. However, significant variation of spectral response of needles of Scots pine was detected only in 356 out of 955 wavebands for each sample tree. Depending on the crown exposition to the North or South, the reflectance of Scots pine needles differed significantly in 900 spectral bands. No significant differences were detected in 833 wavebands for Norway spruce.

Leaf morphology was assessed in Pajiesys and Seirijai field trials of oaks. Oaks in these trials are the progenies of oak trees (Quercus genus) that grow in the Trakas forest of Seirijai district of Alytus forest enterprise of Lithuania. The aim of the study was to determine the number of hybrid trees between the progenies of the Trakas forest in Pajiesys and Seirijai field trials. 251 oaks belonging to 40 half-sib families were sampled. Twenty three leaf morphological variables were measured on each of 5 leaves collected from each tree and analysed by principal component analysis (PCA) and discriminant analysis (DA). The study concluded that Q. robur and Q. petraea leaves are most clearly identified by six morphological traits. Discriminant function of two traits for oak species separation was proposed. The study has also revealed a high degree of interspecific hybridization in field trials. Study results were compared with earlier reports about hybridization occurring in mixed oak stands in other parts of Europe.

Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana L.) is a perennial herb belonging to the Brassicaceae family and contains biologically active substances. The aim of the current research was to determine the most suitable extraction method and solvent for obtaining horseradish leaf extracts with high antiradical activity. For experiments fresh leaves of horseradish were extracted with seven different solvents: n-hexane, diethyl ether, 2-propanol, acetone, ethanol (95%), ethanolwater/acetic acid (80/20/1 v/v/v) and ethanol / water (80/20 by volume) using two extraction methods (conventional and Soxhlet). For all extracts, total phenolic, flavonoid content and DPPH˙, ABTS radical scavenging activity, and reducing power were determined using a spectrophotometric method. As the best solvent can be used ethanol. Total phenolic content and total flavonoid content was higher in Soxhlet extracts. Comparing to other plants, the proportion of flavonoids in the amount of total phenolics is average, and it increases by increasing the polarity of used solvent. It can be concluded that by using Soxhlet extraction method it is possible to obtain extracts that are effective antioxidants. A very strong and a strong correlation has been identified between levels of phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacities of the extracts.

Blueberry cultivation is becoming more and more popular in Latvia, and several commercial plantations have been established recently. Highbush blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) are perennial and can grow without replanting for 50 years; therefore a choice of soil and its preparation have a great role. This article summarizes results of research carried out in commercial blueberry plantation established in 2004 on loamy Haplic Cambisol. Soil properties, especially reaction and organic matter content, initially were not suitable for blueberry cultivation, therefore deep tillage and application of soil conditioner (acid sphagnum peat) were done before planting and similar peat mulch was applied every second year. Berry yield of 4 blueberry cultivars, soil properties and the nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium content in growing plant leaves were determined. The obtained results showed that sphagnum peat is an effective material for lowering of soil pH in plant root layer (0 – 40 cm). Data about plant nutrient content in topsoil and subsoil as well as in growing plant leaves will help to develop criteria for soil fertility assessment and diagnosis of plant nutrition.

Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) is one of the most widespread coniferous species in boreal zones and it has a considerable economic importance in the Baltic countries. The impact of fungi on Scots pine has been known also historically, but it is predicted that it will increase in future due to climate changes that will have a positive effect on incidence and vitality of various species of fungi. The aim of the study was to characterize the occurrence of Lophodermium spp. in young stands of Scots pine in Latvia. Needle samples were collected from young pine stands (aged 1 – 14 years) located in all regions of Latvia. DNA extraction from needles was done using modified CTAB protocol, presence of Lophodermium in total extracted DNA was detected using a PCR method. Meteorological data – air temperature and precipitation – were obtained from all 34 observation stations of the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre. The presence of Lophodermium spp. was detected in all surveyed stands, and occurrence differences between the western and eastern regions were significant (p = 0.004). The occurrence of Lophodermium spp. in the eastern and western regions was affected by the meteorological conditions in autumn and winter of the previous years, as well as differences in the given years’ air temperature and precipitation. In 2016, the eastern region of Latvia had a higher May−August precipitation and, to a lesser extent, temperature, which correlated with a higher occurrence of Lophodermium spp.

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.

Enhanced forest growth may respond to demand of woody resources and contribute to the climate change mitigation. Forest soil treatment with fertilizers, as well as drainage and thinning enhance forest growth. The analysis of needles is an established method in forest science to identify the nutrient status in the forest stand and need for forest soil enrichment with fertilizers. The aim of this research is to estimate the efficiency of forest soil enrichment with wood ash and ammonium nitrate in order to eliminate nutrient deficiency in forest stands. Forest soil was enriched with wood ash fertilizer or ammonium nitrate in 2016–2017. The current year needles were collected from fertilized and control plots, from three trees in each plot. The samples were collected in the period 2018–2019. Total nitrogen (g kgE−1), calcium (g kgE−1), magnesium (g kgE−1), and potassium (g kgE−1) were analysed in the collected samples. The chemical properties of collected needles were compared at the individual object level to estimate the impact of fertilizer on forest stand. A statistically significant increase in the concentrations of potassium and phosphorus was detected in some plots treated with wood ash and ammonium nitrate. In addition, a correlation analysis conducted between the variables of chemical properties of needles and soil showed few significant correlations between nutrient content in needles and in soil samples.

The present work aimed to evaluate the effect of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) extract on Cryptosporidium spp. invasion in calves. Sea buckthorn is a good source of vitamins, carotenoids, organic acids and tannins. It has been reported that it possesses anti-inflammatory effect, as well as anthelmintic and antibacterial activity. Research was conducted in a dairy cattle farm ‘Mežacīruļi’ during April and July 2015. Experimental (n = 10) and control (n = 10) groups of calves were used. The experimental group received a mix of aqueous alcohol sea buckthorn leaf and berry pomace extract, administered with milk, at dose of 5 – 8 mL twice a day for 20 days. The control group received only milk. Samples were analysed with the concentration McMaster technique. The results showed that there is no significant (p is greater than 0.05) difference in the number of oocysts per gram of faeces between the experimental and control groups. It was concluded that the administration of sea buckthorn leaf and berry pomace extract had no effect on Cryptosporidium spp. invasion in calves. Studies will be continued with a higher dose of extract.