Study and research farm Vecauce of Latvia University of Agriculture turns 90 years. It is a long time a company's survival century, when several times the previous regimes are changes and place in a World War II. In addition, the farm since the founding of the 1921st year has been successful enough in all circumstances, including the Second World War, the Soviet time and after independence, when most of the large agricultural companies that have successfully worked on the reckless destruction. Vecauce employers with LUA leadership to uphold their own farm and still constantly think about its development to remain in changing market conditions, as well - the more there would be something new and attractive, to learn both students and manufacturers. Scientific workshop delivered nine presentations and 25 poster presentations on Vecauce scientists and employees contribute to the development of the farm, research in renewable energy, plant protection, animal husbandry, crop cultivation and crop breeding, and was the 2011th year's harvest show and exhibits some tasting. | LLU mācību un pētījumu saimniecībai ''Vecauce'' aprit 90 gadu. Tas ir ilgs laiks kāda uzņēmuma pastāvēšanai gadsimtā, kad vairākas reizes nomainījusies valsts iekārta un norisinājies Pasaules karš. Pie tam, saimniecība kopš dibināšanas 1921. gadā ir pietiekami veiksmīgi darbojusies jebkuros apstākļos, t.sk., Otrā Pasaules kara gados, padomju iekārtā un pēc neatkarības atgūšanas, kad vairumu lielu lauksaimniecības uzņēmumu, kas sekmīgi strādāja, neapdomāti iznīcināja. Vecaucieši kopā ar LLU vadību nosargāja savu saimniecību un arī pašlaik nepārtraukti domā par tās attīstību, lai noturētos mainīgajos tirgus apstākļos, kā arī – lai arvien šeit būtu kaut kas jauns un pievilcīgs, ko mācīties gan studentiem, gan ražotājiem. Zinātniskā semināra ietvaros nolasīti 9 referāti un 25 stenda referāti par Vecauces zinātnieku un darbinieku ieguldījumu saimniecības attīstībā, pētījumiem atjaunojamās enerģijas jomā, augu aizsardzībā, lopkopībā, laukkopībā un laukaugu selekcijā, kā arī notika 2011. gada ražas izstāde un atsevišķu eksponātu degustācija.

Rapid expansion of winter oilseed rape area comes hand in hand with pest infestations. Pest infestation, including Brassica pod midge (Dasineura brassicae), has been observed in growing cruciferous crops, therefore issues related to their occurrence and limitation measures are becoming important. D. brassicae is defined as one of the most destructive pests of crucifers in many northern European countries. The aim of the study was to determine the occurrence and damage of Brassica pod midge in commercial winter oilseed rape fields using different methods of crucifers' pest control. Trials have been conducted in 2010 in four commercial winter oilseed rape fields in Zemgale region with different insecticides treatment (contact – pyretroid, or systemic contact – neonicotinoid pyretroid, or combination of both). Insects were trapped in yellow Moerika type water traps. Starting point of emergence of Brassica pod midge in 2010 was at the end of April, when the main and secondary racemes of rape were lift up, but the flowers had still not been opened (BBCH 55). Different populations of Brassica pod midge did not affect significantly (p is less than 0.05) the amount of invaded pods in winter oilseed rape after treatment, which could be explained with pest population level that was limited by contact insecticides at the pod formation stage. Results of this study will enable development of an optimal strategy for pest control with the least possible impact on the environment in Latvia climatic conditions.

Winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) is the main cereal grown in Latvia. Appropriate plant development in autumn is important for good crop wintering, but good wintering is crucial for obtaining high yield. The aim of our research was to test sowing date, rate and cultivar influence on winter wheat yield. Field trial was carried out in the Research and Study Farm „Vecauce” during 2010/2011. Wheat was sown on five different dates starting with 1 September and with 10-days intervals. Three cultivars ‘Olivin’, ‘Fredis’ and ‘Skagen’ were sown on every date using three sowing rates: 300, 400 and 500 germinate able kernels per 1 m2. Winter was long, cold and very rich with snow which snowed on unfrozen soil. Such conditions are favourable for snow mould (Fusarium nivale) development and perishing of plants sown on earlier dates. Results showed that the highest yields without reference to sowing rate and cultivar were obtained if wheat was sown on 20 September and later, but after one trial year it is not possible to recommend sowing as late as on 30 September and later. When sowing was done on 10 September tendency was observed that lowest sowing rate provided higher yield. In opposite – starting with 20 September better results showed variants when 400-500 germinate able kernels were used. From three used cultivars the highest and more stable yield provided cultivar ‘Skagen’, but the most susceptible to early sowing in particular wintering conditions was ‘Olivin’.

During recent years weather has not been favourable for crop production worldwide, as well as in Latvia. Therefore obtaining regular plum (P. domestica L.) yields has become more problematic. The main causes of plums’ crop failure are frost damages of flower buds and incomplete pollination. Treatment of boron fertilizer that influences the formation of reproductive organs, their viability, and ensures high-quality yield was applied with the aim to search ways for reducing the influence of different meteorological conditions. Three cultivars and two boron treatments were included in the investigation. ‘Lāse’ is abundantly blooming but with low productivity, ‘Sonora’ is a new, promising Latvian cultivar and ‘The Duke of Edinburgh’ grown in Latvia for nearly a century as control. Boron fertilizer foliar sprays of the 0.25% boric acid solution was used to evaluate boron influence on reproductive organs, which was compared with control where boron was not applied. Bud development was observed differently, depending on the age of fruit twigs. Earlier and more intensive bud development occurred on the annual fruiting wood. Bud differentiation was analyzed twice, in 11 July 2011 and 27 July 2011. Significant differences between boron applications variants were found – use of B fertilizer increased bud differentiation in comparison to the control plot without spraying any foliar fertilization.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the calorific value of hemp and the factors influencing it. The trial was carried out in Agricultural Science Centre of Latgale in 2008-2010. Two varieties were used in the experiment (the Latvian local hemp ‘Pūriņi’ and Polish variety ‘Bialobrezskie’) fertilized with three N fertilizer rates (N0 kg haE-1 - check without N, N60 kg haE-1, and N100 kg haE-1). Calorific value of samples was determined using the standard method LVS CEN/TS 14918. The study showed that nitrogen fertilizer rate and used part of the plant (shoves or straw) affected gross calorific value. Gross calorific value was 18.08-18.98 MJ kgE-1 for shove, and 17.76-18.73 MJ kgE-1 for straw.

Oregano is a paramount herb of spice- and medicinal plants in Latvia. Wild populations of oregano are too little, the plant must be cultivated. It is necessary to use local genetic resources in agrocenosis. The research of optimal qualitative indices can help to create a kind of standard for oregano that could be used in selection and comparison of different clones. The aim of this research was to explore the optimal qualitative indices by evaluating the morphology of oregano and chemical variability of essential oil. The research was realised within the framework of the ECPGR MAP WG project „Conservation and characterization of oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) wild populations in Europe”. Three Latvian populations of oregano from Vietalva, Cesvaine, Pure were explored. The results showed the morphological and biochemical diversity of these populations. It is necessary to continue this research for exploring the changeableness of indices and productivity. The results should be compared with results from other countries that take part in this research.

Blueberry cultivation is becoming more and more popular in Latvia and several commercial plantations have been established recently. 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) was done before planting and similar peat mulch was applied every second year. Berry yield of 4 blueberry cultivars, soil properties and nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium content in growing plant leaves were determinate. Obtained results showed that sphagnum peat is an effective material for lowering soil pH in plant root layer (0 – 40 cm). Data on 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.

It is possible to discuss the growth of productive cows by items of calves growth and development. The aim of the research was to evaluate body weight, heart girth, hip height and wither height of female calves until the age of six months. The research was carried out at Latvia University of Agriculture (LLU), in dairy farm ''Līgotnes'' of the Research and Study Farm ''Vecauce'', in a loose housing system. The research was carried out from November 2009 until March 2011. The control of body weight has been done to 77 calves once a month. The average body weight of calves at birth was 44.3 kg. There were significant differences of body weight of calves which were born in summer (42.6 kg) and winter (45.4 kg), the difference is 2.8 kg (p is less than 0.05). After the age of 4 months when calves were moved to heifer farm, it was noticed that their body weight and development items’ changes decreased.

Biogas is a combustible gas, obtained from the biomass anaerobic fermentation process. It can be produced from energy plants, manure and biodegradable wastes. The aim of the research was to evaluate the results of bio-methane outcome from rye and triticale silage depending on variety and development stage at harvest. The trial was carried out at State Stende Cereals Breeding Institute in 2009/2010. Three rye varieties: ‘Matador’, ‘Placido’, ‘Dankowskie Nowe’ and three triticale varieties: ‘SW Valentino’, ‘Dinaro’, and the line ‘0002-26’ were included in the trial. Cereals’ biomass was harvested at three development stages: flowering, early-milk stage, and at the beginning of yellow ripening. The average crude protein and ash content in rye and triticale silage was lower in silage, harvested at early-milk stage and yellow ripening stage. The highest, theoretically calculated from data of chemical composition, and in-laboratory determined methane outcome (Nm3 (t ODM)E-1) was obtained in rye and triticale silage, that was harvested in flowering stage. Winter rye silage presented higher calculated average outcome of methane in all harvesting stages.

Apple chlorotic leaf spot virus (ACLSV) is one of the most widespread and economically important fruit tree viruses. It naturally affects many Prunus species, apples (Malus × domestica Borkh.), pears (Pyrus communis L.) and other Rosacea species. In Latvia, many apple and pear orchards are highly infected with ACLSV, but occurrence of this virus in plum orchards is still unknown. To evaluate the occurrence of ACLSV in plum orchards a large scale survey was carried out in 2008. Totally 491 samples from 21 plum orchards were collected in five geographic regions of Latvia. Collected samples were tested with two methods: enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DAS ELISA) and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Obtained results showed that in plum orchards ACLSV occurrence is 3.3% (by ELISA) and 10.8% (by RT-PCR). ACLSV is more widespread in Zemgales region than in other regions. Prunus domestica cultivar ‘Experimentalfältets Sviskon’ was more infected with ACLSV than other plum cultivars. This is the first report of the occurrence of ACLSV in plum orchards in Latvia.