The article deals with the regeneration process of water resources capacity of the wells in the Baltezers region using mechanical and chemical treatment. The methods of this treatment process are described in detail.

The general purpose was to study productivity of organic grasslands and compare it with productivity at a conventional farm under the same or similar climatic and pedologic conditions. The investigation was based on field experiments that were carried out in 5 different regions of Estonia in 2000. In the current research, the DM-yield of sward (on 4 research plots of 5 square m), the botanical composition, soil pHKCL and humus content (by Tjurin) were measured. Also the content of soluble plant nutrients P and K were measured by DL-(Egner-Riehm) method and Ca and Mg- by AL- (ammonium acetate extraction) method.

The experiment was carried out in 1990, 1991, 1993 in the Rumokai Research station of the Lithuanian Institute of Agriculture. The following nitrogen norms were analysed: 0(0+0), 45(0+45), 45(45+0), 90(45+45), 90(90+0), 135(90+45), 135(135+0), 180(135+45), 180(180+0), 225(180+45). Sugar production is negatively affected by soluble non-sugar substances (soluble potassium and sodium salts, amines) that prevent crystallization of sugar. Norms of nitrogen fertilisers increased the amount of: potassium by 8.9-38.2%, sodium - 11.0-54.4%, alpha-amine N - 43.0-163.5 %, while additional application of nitrogen -45 kg ha*[-1) - resulted in the increase of: 1.0 - 7.9% potasium, 1.0-8.0 % sodium, 18.2 - 44.9 % alpha-amine N. Strong positive corelation (eta=0.99) has been established between the norms of nitrogen fertilisers and soluble non-sugar substances. Potassium, sodium and alpha-amine N negatively influence the sugar content roots (eta=-0.59). Among the 14 analysed varieties, the amount of low soluble non-sugar substances was significant in the roots of Kristall, Accord and Extra varieties. The highest yield of white sugar has been found in the varieties of Freja, Anna, Accord, Extra (7.3-7.7 t ha*[-1)).

The article deals with the current situation in production of building materials and foreign trade in Latvia. Export and import of building materials are one of the most important factors influencing the production of building materials. The report analyses import and export development trends within two sections of the harmonized system: wood and articles of wood; the articles of stone, plaster, glassware and ceramics.

In the progressive world, the role of education is continuously growing. International co-operation is a necessary condition for a successful functioning of a higher education institution. In the education process basic compulsory known-how plays a significant role and includes communication, independent and permanent learning, team work, information technology skills and foreign languages. The author presents a research on the role of basic know-how in the labour market.

Latvia has a long-standing traditions in adult education, but only since Latvia regained its independence in 1991, it has obtained a wide public response. Willingness to learn of farmers is increasing every year. The present report describes the latest tendencies in the further education of farmers and states that they are related to changes in social, economical and political situation of the country.

The article describes present situation in further education of agricultural advisers and agronomists. There are three major challenges in rural and agricultural development today - coverage, sustainability and relevance. Changes in further education and information technologies play the most important role for agricultural advisers. Farmers want to study and get a certificate of agricultural education in order to be able to participate in different projects and acquire the EU structural funds. The article deals with the problem of using the EU structural funds for rural development. Agiculturists need professional advice from agricultural advisers.

In 1999-2000 the field trials with spring wheat 'Munk' on optimisation of a nitrogen fertilizers were established at the Skriveri Research Centre of the Latvia University of Agriculture. The field trials were conducted on two different kinds of Luvisol soil: loam and loamy sand. As the influence of the previous crops-grass, grain and potatoes on efficiency of different (0; 50; 100; 150; 200; 250 kg ha*[-1)) nitrogen fertilizers was investigated. Is stated, that as well as predecessor, and mechanical structure of soil considerably influence efficiency of use of ammonium saltpetre by spring wheat. Some relevant soil properties at the beginning of the experiment were: in loam pH (KCl) 6.3; available phosphorus (DL-method) 100 mg P2O5 kg*[-1), available potassium (DL-method) 135 mg K2O kg*[-1); and soil organic matter (Tyurin's method) 2.3% in sandy loam pH (KCL) - 5.7; available phosphorus - 142 mg P2O5 kg*[-1); available potassium - 92 mg K2) kg(-1); and soil organic matter - 2.2%. The data mathematical processing was done using the General Linear Model criterion Tukey of the program SPSS.

However, the last case of tuberculosis to cattle was registered in Estonia in 1986, rapid and accurate diagnosting of the disease is still an actual veterinary problem. On farms, tuberculin testing has been regularly carried out showing that tuberculin positive cattle constitute 5,47% from all the herd. During 1997-2001, 23 clinical samples were isolated from the tuberculin positive cattle. Each sample was analysed with conventional morphological and bacteriological methods and by PCR. None of eleven mycobacterial cultures, isolated from the lymph modes of cattle, belonged to M. tuberculosis complex. There were seven cultures identified as M. avium and one as M. avium complex (MAC). The research confirmed that M. avium is the most frequently isolated bacteria causing NTM-Mycobacterioses in cattle in Estonia (63,6%). Two cultures of MAC were isolated from the milk of tuberculin-positive cows, verifying that milk can be a potential source of MAC transmission to man.

The paper reports on annual pine increment dynamics during the period of last 30 years in the Vesetnieki Station of Permanent Ecological Research with a different drainage level: transitional bog, tree stand between the drainage ditches, tree stand adjacent to ditch. The increment of basal area of annual rings has been found to be considerably higher in the site adjacent to ditch with the most intensive drainage level. The increment of annual rings of individual trees proved to be non-synchronic, therefore trees can be suggested to have different response to have different response to the influence of the same meteorological factors (amount of precipitation, for example). The annual increment data for the last four years (1997-2000) have been compared to the results of biogenous substance circulation measurements during the given period.