Surface water runoff, formed in the company areas due to changing wastewater discharge and pollution fluctuations can be treated in retention ponds. Pollutants, released into the ponds, mineralize during complex natural biochemical processes in the aquatic environment. The paper presents the long-term observation data (2004 – 2016 m.) on the purification of surface wastewater, formed in the company’s production territory, in retention ponds. The aim of this work is to identify surface wastewater purification efficiency in retention ponds. Wastewater samples were taken before and after biological treatment. The samples were investigated in the Chemical Analysis Laboratory of the Water Research Institute of Lithuania University of Agriculture. Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD7 ) was determined with titrometric method, suspended solids (SS) – with gravimetric method, having filtered the substance through a mid-thickness filter. Concentrations of oil pollutants were determined with the help of a spectrophotometric device of infrared rays IKAN-1 in the Analytical Department of Agrochemical Study Center of Lithuanian Agricultural Institute. Although the suspended solids, BOD7, and oil hydrocarbon concentrations, released into the natural environment, were below the MAC when they are collected from the company’s production areas, they are often contaminated; therefore, it is necessary to treat them. The purification efficiency of researched materials was satisfactory and reached 61, 64 and 91%.

The article presents the analysis of the current situation of the damaged land in Klaipeda County. The study found that the number of affected areas in the county – 266. Because the damaged areas consist of mineral quarries and territories occupied by dumps, the article contains the description and condition of these areas. It was found that mostly sand deposits (60) predominate in Klaipeda County, of which only 8 are used. The smallest number of the deposits – the salt deposits (2). The mainly used deposits in the county are sand and gravel deposits – 29, unused – sand deposits (52). The Klaipeda municipal waste management region comprises 7 municipalities, 39 old landfills and dumps were shut down. At present, 1 regional non-hazardous waste landfill has been arranged. In Klaipeda County, in 2015, damaged land occupied 2,391.06 hectares and amounted to 0.46 percent of the county’s area. During the period between the years 2005 and 2015 the damaged land area in Klaipeda County increased by 130.25 hectares. The analysis of the damaged land by type of ownership showed that the damaged land areas in private land increased by 75.54 hectares or 58.52 percent. In the state land, the damaged land area decreased by 442.35 hectares or 20.04 percent.

The aim of the paper is to explore the possibilities of detection and reduction of land degradation in Smarde municipality rural territory (56°57′18″ N; 23°20′17″ E). To carry out land degradation prevention measures, initially the territories of degraded land should be determined. This paper highlights the field inspection method. For territory inspection a model was used that gave the opportunity to identify degradation types with their characteristic features and possibilities to reduce the land degradation. The territory of Smarde municipality rural territory was inspected in nature and degraded territories identified. The costs of land degradation elimination depend on the type of land degradation. In territories where the land degradation reduction or elimination has been done, its control has to continue in order to stop the development of land degradation.

Enteral feeding also known as enteral nutrition is nutrient delivery into the stomach. Products for enteral nutrition are a specific group of products designed to provide nutrients to the human body in case of various diseases and after surgery, when the daily intake of the product is affected. Today market offers special dietetic products, which are supplemented with synthetic vitamins and minerals, which bioavailability in the body is lower than that of natural organic complexes. Therefore it is important to develop special dietetic products from natural raw materials. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of vacuum cooking on the content of bioactive compounds, soluble solids, pH and shelf life of enteral food made from fresh and semi-finished (heated) fruit and vegetable juices. For this research enteral food was made using fresh or semi-finished fruit and vegetable juices. Products were vacuum cooked in 0.02 MPa pressure, with boiling point 67 °C, and 0.06 MPa pressure at 79 °C, withstander for 15 min. All samples were stored at room temperature and tested for their content of vitamin C, total carotenoids, anthocyanins, total phenols and antioxidant activity and microbiological safety, as control untreated enteral food samples were used. The obtained data showed that samples made from semi-finished juices have higher contents of vitamin C and total carotenoids and anthocyanins than samples prepared from fresh juices, but this wasn’t observed with content of total phenols and antiradical scavenging activity (DPPH), where the type of ingredients used for sample preparation had no significant effect.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of probiotics, herbals and buckwheat bran (Fagopyrum esculentum L.) on growth, profile of blood, gut microbiota, profile of fatty acid in meat and shedding of resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli) in piglets. A total of 44 piglets (Sus scrofa domesticus) from age of day 14 to 56 were divided into 4 groups. Control received basal diet (group C), basal diet + probiotics (group P), basal diet + 3% buckwheat bran (group PB) and basal diet + 1.5% herbals (group H). No effect was observed in growth in all groups. The count of Lactobacillus spp. increased (p is less than 0.05) in jejunum in group P. In the faeces, Enterobacteriaceae decreased in the group P (p is less than 0.05) of 35 days old piglets, but Enterobacteriaceae and E. coli decreased in the group H (p is less than 0.05) of 56 days old piglets. The prevalence of resistance to at least one antibiotic class was 66.7% before and 50% after the experiment in all groups. Multidrug resistance of E. coli was not observed in 14 days old piglets, but was observed in 50% and more in all of study groups of 56 days old piglets. The fatty acid composition of Longissimus thoracis muscle had higher levels of α-linolenic acid and palmitoleic acid (p is less than 0.05), but lower level of stearic acid (p is less than 0.05) in group P. In conclusion, probiotics and herbals improved gut microbiota, fatty acid profile and affected shedding of resistant E. coli, but not growth performance.

Hyperadrenocorticism (excessive adrenal production of sex steroids related to adrenocortical adenomas and carcinomas) is a common disease in neutered male and female pet ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) and causes significant morbidity. Incidence of ferret adrenal disease in Latvia is high because the majority of them are gonadectomized. The most common clinical symptoms include symmetrical alopecia and recurrence of sexual behavior. Sex steroids used to diagnose disease are estradiol, androstenedione and 17α-OH progesterone. It is mentioned that androstenedione is the most sensitive during development of the disease. The aim of this study was to sum up, evaluate and compare clinical findings and blood hormone measurements in ferrets diagnosed with hyperadrenocorticism. Forty two ferrets (n = 20 female, n = 22 male) with various clinical symptoms related to hyperadrenocorticism were included in this research. Clinical examination based on clinical symptom protocol was performed and blood samples were taken in all cases. There is a high correlation between the age of neutering and onset of clinical signs in female ferrets. In both sexes, there is no correlation between clinical signs and levels of sex steroids. In male and female group, symmetrical alopecia, pruritus, scaling and fragility of skin and lethargy are the most common findings. During this research, a ranking system (from 1 to 4) for the severity of alopecia was developed. All ferrets had one or two elevated sex steroid levels. In our research, androstenedione was elevated in 25 cases out of 42. Clinical signs and sex steroid measurements are important in diagnosing hyperadrenocorticism in ferrets.

Legumes are becoming more popular in food and feed consumption. They are promoted by EU policy related to healthy lifestyle and environmental policy. Legumes can be grown in crop rotation as monocrop or in different kind of intercropping systems. It is a well-known fact that legumes play an important role in fixation of the atmospheric N, whereas their influence on other biological and chemical aspects of the soil ecosystem is only explored partially. The experimental trial was established at the Pūre Horticultural Research Centre with the aim of studying the influence of legumes on the soil properties in the intercrop with strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.). Different genotypes were included in the trial as intercrops: two local broad beans (Vicia faba var. major L.) genotypes, two pea (Pisum sativum L.) cultivars and clover (Trifolium hybridum L.). Two control treatments were included in the trial: with and without nitrogen fertilizer usage. Strawberries were planted in May of 2014 and maintained in the field for three years. Results showed that there were significant differences between treatments in soil respiration rate (SRR) and SRR dynamic throughout the experiment time. Dehydrogenase activity had similar results, though no significant differences between treatments were observed in the third year. No significant difference between treatments was found in the soil organic matter. Obtained data shows that legumes have a significant influence on the soil biological properties but not on biochemical properties. Further research needs to be carried out to determine legume influence on soil environment in more detail.

Environmental conditions and climate change on a global scale affect the overall agriculture and food supply. Edamame, also called vegetable soybean is an import vegetable in the world, especially in the East Asia. China is the world’s centre for vegetable soybean production. Edamame beans are harvested before full maturity when bean pods are green and just before turning to yellow colour. Most cultivated varieties in the world are of Japanese origin. The aim of this literature survey is to give a review on history and consumption facts of edamame, as well as on the yield and quality parameters of this fresh commodity. Monographic method has been used for this review. Edamame has a high nutritional and medical value. Composition of biologically active compounds in edamame plants is dependent on climate conditions, seasonal changes, cultivar properties and maturity stage. Vegetable soybean has a long cultivation history in the world. In Europe edamame is grown, but in Latvia edamame has not been grown until now, but there is some experience in soya grain growing. Pod colour is the main external quality factor of edamame. It can be influenced by light, moisture, fertilization, variety properties, planting density and harvesting procedures. Vegetation period for edamame in most cases is reported to be between 75 and 100 days. Environmental conditions and climate change on a global scale affect the overall agriculture and food supply. Edamame, also called vegetable soybean is an import vegetable in the world, especially in the East Asia. China is the world’s centre for vegetable soybean production. Edamame beans are harvested before full maturity when bean pods are green and just before turning to yellow colour. Most cultivated varieties in the world are of Japanese origin. The aim of this literature survey is to give a review on history and consumption facts of edamame, as well as on the yield and quality parameters of this fresh commodity. Monographic method has been used for this review. Edamame has a high nutritional and medical value. Composition of biologically active compounds in edamame plants is dependent on climate conditions, seasonal changes, cultivar properties and maturity stage. Vegetable soybean has a long cultivation history in the world. In Europe edamame is grown, but in Latvia edamame has not been grown until now, but there is some experience in soya grain growing. Pod colour is the main external quality factor of edamame. It can be influenced by light, moisture, fertilization, variety properties, planting density and harvesting procedures. Vegetation period for edamame in most cases is reported to be between 75 and 100 days.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum) is one of the main crops grown in Latvia. Nitrogen fertilizer is one of the most important factors affecting the acquired yield and its quality. The aim of this paper is to describe the nitrogen fertilization impact on winter wheat yield and yield components under two soil tillage systems and after two forecrops. Field trials were carried out at Research and Study farm ‘Peterlauki’ of Latvia University of Agriculture (56° 30.658°C N and 23° 41.580°C E) in 2014/2015 and 2015/2016. Researched factors were (1) crop rotation (continuous wheat and wheat/oilseed rape (Brassica napus ssp. oleifera), (2) soil tillage (traditional soil tillage with mould-board ploughing at a depth of 22 – 24 cm and reduced soil tillage with disc harrowing at a depth below 10 cm), and (3) nitrogen fertilizer rate (N0 or control, N60, N90, N120(90+30), N150(90+60), N180(90+60+30), N210(90+70+50), and N240(120+60+60). Results showed that the nitrogen fertilization significantly increased winter wheat grain yield after both forecrops and in both soil tillage variants. Grain yield significantly increased until the nitrogen fertilizer rate N180. Nitrogen fertilizer significantly affected all tested yield components. Values of yield components increased enhancing N-rate of N150 – N180. The forecrop had a significant impact on wheat yield and 1000 grain weight (both increased when wheat was sown after oilseed rape). Yield and grain number per ear were significantly higher when conventional tillage was used, but number of ears per square m – when the reduced tillage was used.

Milk yield, composition and milk coagulation properties can be affected by kappa-casein (κ-CN) and beta-lactoglobulin (β-LG) genotypes and breed. Latvian Brown (LB) and Latvian Blue (LZ) are local dairy breeds in Latvia. These breeds are not so high-yielding than other commercial dairy breeds, besides, the number of those animals decrease each year. The aim of the research was to analyse the influence of κ-CN, β-LG and breed on milk composition and milk coagulation properties. Data were collected from 56 Latvian Brown and 26 Latvian Blue in 2016. Widespread κ-CN genotype was AA (0.593) in LB breed and AB (0.636) in LZ breed, while β-LG highest frequency was BB genotype. Significant effect was not observed on milk yield; however the highest daily milk yield was from AB κ-CN genotype (19.7 ± 1.52 kg) in LB breed. Significant differences were observed in fat content – the highest fat content accordingly κ-CN was from AA genotype in LB (46.3 ± 1.89 g kgE-1) and 45.5 ± 1.37 g kgE-1 from BB β-LG genotype in LB breed (p is less than 0.05). A lower protein content was observed from AA κ-CN genotype in LZ breed (33.8 ± 1.30 g kgE-1), while highest from BB genotype in both breeds. Curd firmness was not significantly different by genotypes and breed. Significantly shorter milk renneting time of β-LG was obtained from LB breed (14.6 ± 2.76 min, p is less than 0.05), while κ-CN genotype was not significantly affected.