The effects of different climatic conditions on birch (Betula pendula Roth) and poplar (Populus) hybrids seedlings were studied. This study consists of two parts, firstly, an experiment with poplars and, secondly, the experiment with birch seedlings. The aim of this study was to evaluate the growth of birch and poplar seedlings under the current and modelled climatic conditions. Results showed that the simulation of short-term warmer weather conditions and higher CO2 concentration led to more intensive growth of silver birch saplings. Different climatic conditions did not significantly change photosynthetic and transpiration rate of one year old silver birch seedlings. Contrary the transpiration and photosynthesis rate of poplar seedlings significantly depended on drought and clone but not on hybrid. Drought altered the transpiration and photosynthesis intensity, water use efficiency, and correlation among most of the traits. The P. maximowiczii × P. trichocarpa, P. balsamifera × P. trichocarpa hybrids increased their water use efficiency under the drought conditions and were characterized by faster growth hybrids. The sensitivity of poplar hybrids to UV-B radiation varied and depended on the origin of their parental trees: poplar hybrids from the northern latitudes were more sensitive to the increased UV-B radiation than those of southern origin. The best growth after simulated warm winter was obtained for the P. deltoides × P. nigra and P. nigra × P. nigra hybrids, originating from the southern areas. The findings from this experiment are more applicable to young birch and poplar trees, but stress on young trees may be reflected in future tree growth.

Fresh hardy kiwifruit (Actinidia kolomikta (Maxim. & Rupr.) Maxim.) possible to store for only two weeks at 0–5°C, therefore in order to maintain longer, the fruit have to be processed. The purpose of the study was to determine the quality of the Actinidia kolomikta fruit using research methods that are faster and easier, i.e. bioelectric Vincent method and biocrystallization. Four cultivars of Actinidia kolomikta fruits – ‘Landė’, ‘Paukštės Šakarva’, ‘Laiba’ and ‘Lankė’ – were investigated. Fresh, frozen and freeze-dried fruit were analysed. The amount of dry matter was determined by drying the samples to constant mass at 105 ºC, ascorbic acid was determined by titration with 2,6-dichlorphenol-indophenol sodium salt dehydrate. The pH and redox potential were measured by 781 pH/Ion Meter, electrical conductivity was measured by conductometer. P value as combined parameter was calculated according to the formula. Biocrystallization studies were carried out with fresh, frozen and freeze-dried fruits of all cultivars. The images derived from the encoded by sort samples were characterised with respect to the visual strength of form expression and were described by 10 criteria, criteria were evaluated using a 5-point scale. Research results showed that the dry matter and ascorbic acid content of A. kolomikta fruit significantly depended on the cultivar. Dry matter content of frozen fruit decreased from 4 to 7%, but increased during freeze-drying process by 6 to 7 times compare to the fresh fruit. Fruit processing methods increased pH, redox potential and P values. The lowest redox potential and P values were determined for fresh fruit, medium for freeze-dried and the highest for frozen fruit samples.

Nowadays it is paramount to promote bioenergy for climate protection, energy security and creation of income/jobs. In this perspective, Anaerobic Digestion (AD) for biogas and digestate production seems to be a viable way to simultaneously improve waste management while producing Renewable Energy Sources (RES). The main objective of this work is to assess the environmental impact associated with biomethane and digestate production from an AD plant as Global Warming Potential, expressed in CO2 equivalents. Therefore, a LCA was carried out for the production of biomethane ready for the injection into the Italian distribution natural gas grid. A mix from different waste sources (cattle manure and slurry, pig slurry, Citrus industry by-product, chicken manure, manure from broilers, triticale silage and waste from vegetable cleaning) is considered for biogas and digestate production. Besides biomethane this plant will produce digestate, that is a biological and nutrient-rich fertiliser. Thus, the cycle of circular economy is closed, as the recovery of matter and energy is carried out from waste. The results clearly indicate the importance of the process steps transport of biomass to AD plant and, above all, methane upgrading (separation by membrane). Depending on the high amount of the substrate and long distance travelled, Citrus waste substrate transport accounts for the largest share in GHG emissions with 0.229 kg CO2-eq/Nm3 or 70.5 % of total transportation emission. Greenhouse gas emissions estimated for the various process stages for the Sclafani Bagni plant showed, that methane upgrading emits 1.95 kg CO2-eq/Nm3, while other processes totally emits 0.525 kg CO2-eq/Nm3. The LCIA results confirmed the negative total impact of the process with grid injection, in terms of kg of CO2 eq.: the LCA verified the carbon-negative-bio-energy concept of the project. Therefore, biomethane derived from biogas is an entirely renewable and readily available low carbon alternative fuel, that can be locally produced from organic waste and capable to replace the fossil natural gas in the near future.

National forest inventory (NFI) is an efficient way to monitor forest resources, including increment, mortality, and harvest rate. It provides accurate statistical information about land use data, land use change and biomass stock change and enables to tie the specific increment, mortality and harvest data to defined land use category, dominant tree species, site types etc. Recently there have been introduced changes in land use calculation method using NFI data in Latvia. New calculation method takes into account present land use data and land use data from two previous cycles considerably reducing uncertainty of the estimates and takes into account possible land management practices which may alter the land use category in long-term, also usage of auxiliary data has been introduced to increase accuracy of determination of final land-use category. Changes in land use calculation method directly affects distribution of data on increment, morality and harvests between land use categories. The aim of the study is to determine increment, mortality and harvest rate in Latvia between the first and third NFI cycle (2004-2018) using updated land use data and to compare obtained result with data from the most recent greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory report.

Soil compaction is the compression of soil particles in a lower volume as a consequence of the reduction of the spaces existing among the particles themselves. This phenomenon is caused by natural forces and, above all, human ones. In order to estimate the field damages that can be caused by the traffic of agricultural machines, the load and the mean pressure applied by the tyres onto the soil can be measured. The research aim is to determine the pressure applied by each considered tractor onto the soil, in order to evaluate the effect of the traffic of tractors onto the soil itself. A total of 783 wheeled tractors manufactured and marketed in the last 35 years (1979-2014) were investigated. Data like construction year, manufacturer, model, power, total weight, weight (load) on the front and rear axle, wheelbase, front and rear type of tyres, as well as the tyre specifications, were collected. The mean pressure applied by each tractor onto the soil was computed by dividing the load applied on each tyre by its contact area. In order to reduce the pressure applied by agricultural machines onto the soil, the vehicle mass and, therefore weight, has to be reduced, or the tyre contact area on the soil has to be increased. Farmers can easily increase the tyre contact area, by decreasing the tyre inflation pressure or increasing the tyre width, i.e. mounting tyres having a larger section width, or Terra Tyres, or twin-tyres. Over the last 40 years: the mean power of mechanical four wheel drive (MFWD) tractors and four wheel drive (4WD) (isodiametric tyres) tractors increased, while that of two wheel drive (2WD) tractors remained constant; the power and the total weight increased, while the weight-power ratio decreased. Practically the reduction of the mean pressure on the soil resulted rather limited, meaning that tractor manufacturers have not bore in mind soil compaction.

EU countries agreed upon increasing the use of renewable energy, which strongly stimulates usage of biofuels. Biomass ash is generated as a residue product in large volumes as a result of biomass combustion. Heavy metal content in the ashes is the main hinder for further ash utilization in agriculture, forestry and construction sector. Aim of this study was to assess potential of biomass ash to be used as pavement base, also to evaluate risks associated with heavy metals contained in ash as well as their leaching possibility. Ash elemental analysis showed that biomass was burned efficiently, and organic carbon content in ash samples was below 2%. The limiting trace element was cadmium, which concentration in ash exceeded maximum permissible value, restricting ash recycling in forestry or agriculture. Leaching test showed that there is no threat to the environment when such waste material is used in road construction as base layer. All leaching values were below permissible concentrations or even below ICP detection limits. Compaction tests of layers made from gravel/ash mixtures revealed that biomass ash could be successfully used in road construction industry. Results showed that the strongest mixed layer was from 80% gravel and 20% ash. The compaction of this mixture was the highest, only the second best result showed pure 100% gravel, while the least compacted was 50% ash and 50% gravel mixture.

Many abandoned (term "hostless" by 2010) hydraulic structures have been exploited for over 30 years, so due to the aging of materials, the probability of failures and accidents increases. Due to the insufficient exploitation in several dams the breakdowns occurred, some ponds in damaged dams have been emptied. It is known that no comprehensive research on technical state evaluation of abandoned hydraulic structures in Lithuania has been carried out. It becomes clear that practical, scientifically based algorithms for the technical state evaluation of abandoned hydraulic structures are needed in order to assess the impact of environmental factors on the technical state, safety, reliability and durability of structures. This paper focuses on the presentation of investigation results of technical state evaluation of 4 abandoned hydroschemes in Raseiniai distr. Due to the noticed significant defects and deteriorations all 4 hydroschemes are in critical state, the pond in Gyliai IV is emptied, the demolition of reinforced concrete structures should be applied in this object.

peer reviewed | The pig sector annually contributes about 78 % of the total meat production in Vietnam. The government of Vietnam has implemented numerous policies to promote the development of the pig industry. It strongly emphasizes the production with little attention paid to marketing. Bac Giang is one of the provinces with the highest pig population in Vietnam. Pig production contributes up to 52% of the gross output of the livestock sector of the province. One of emerging problems is the majority of pig farmers are limited in market power and there is low income from pig production. This study aimed to analyse the pig value chain in Bac Giang province, identify main factors affecting farmers‟ market power and income in the chain, and propose relevant policy implications to enhance farmers‟ market power and income. It was found that pig collectors and pork retailers are the dominant players in the chain in terms of their strong influence on prices due to their coordination role in directing supply of pigs and carcass to market. Numerous factors affecting farmer‟s market power and income are weak collective action of farmers in production, lack of collective marketing, volatility of pig price, lack of formal contract farming, consumers‟ food safety concern, high price of feed and animal disease. Enhancing farmers‟ market power depends on farmers and public authority‟s involvement in the various strategies of implementation. Some policy implications focus on the improvement of farmer collective action and government actions related to supporting farmer collective action.

peer reviewed | Un dosage sérologique des glycoprotéines associées à la gestation chez les caprins (caPAG), par la technique ELISA "sandwich" a été mis au point pour le diagnostic précoce de la gestation chez la chèvre naine de Guinée. Des anticorps anti-caPAG produits chez les lapins ont été biotinylés et titrés pour permettre ce dosage dans le sérum de chèvres. Des échantillons de sang ont été collectés tous les 7 jours chez 6 chèvres après induction et synchronisation des chaleurs puis saillie pour doser la caPAG sérique. Les densités optiques ont été lues à 492 nm sur un lecteur automatique ELISA pour établie le profil de la caPAG. Le taux de caPAG augmente rapidement pendant le premier tiers de gestation pour atteindre un pic (117 ng/ml) vers le 91e jour puis baisse pour atteindre environ 50 ng/ml le 121ème jour et reste plus ou moins stable jusqu’à la parturition où il chute progressivement pour atteindre environ 12,5 ng/ml trois semaines après. Cependant ce taux reste encore élevé dans la circulation maternelle 3 semaines après la parturition. La PAG caprine est détectable dans le sérum par cette technique à partir du 28ème jour de gestation avec une sensibilité de 100 %. Le 21ème jour, la sensibilité est faible (66,7 %). Ce test offre donc une alternative pratique au laboratoire, précoce et fiable pour le diagnostic de la gestation à partir du jour 28 après insémination chez la chèvre naine de Guinée.

peer reviewed | Hays of graminaceous species (I. cylindrica and S. palidefusca) of low quality (30g/kg dry matter (DM) Crude Protein (CP) was offered to 16 goats (8 males, 8 females), alone or with one of three tropical leguminous plants (153g/kg, 104g/kg and 305,6g/kg DM respectively). The supplementation increased total DM, energy and CP intakes and consequently allowed the weight of the goats to increase. The fodder of L. leucocephala gave the best results, while that of S. guianensis gave the lowest. Fodder of A. rhomboideus is a potential nitrogen-source supplement for poor fodder in the dry season for ruminants.