Šis – 2013. gads – lauksaimniecības zinātnieku saimei ir pagājis kā lielu jubileju gads: Priekuļu Laukaugu selekcijas institūts un Latvijas Augu aizsardzības pētniecības centrs atskatījās uz simtgadi, bet augstāko lauksaimniecības izglītību Latvijā ir iespējams apgūt jau 150 gadus. Visa gada garumā dažādi pasākumi veltīti nozīmīgajām gadskārtām, bet seminārs „Ražas svētki Vecauce – 2013” ir kā noslēgums augstākās lauksaimniecības izglītības Latvijā jubilejas pasākumu virknē. „Vecauce”, kas jau gadiem ilgi tiek dēvēta par „Agronomu Meku”, kur pils priekšā akmenī kalti uz visu noraugās mūsu dižgari Jānis Bergs un Jānis Apsīts, ir vispiemērotākā vieta šim notikumam. Sagadījies, ka arī lauksaimniecības izglītības un zinātnes pamatlicējiem šogad lielas jubilejas: profesoriem Jānim Bergam – 150, Arnoldam Bušmanim – 140, Pēterim Kulitānam – 135, Paulim Lejiņam un Pēterim Rizgam – 130, Jānim Bērziņam – 120, Edgaram Ozolam – 115, Paulim Freimanim – 105, Anatolijam Burmistrovam un docentam Alfrēdam Seržānam – 100. Beidzot 2013. gadā veikta studiju virzienu akreditācija, t. sk. virziens Lauksaimniecība, mežsaimniecība, zivsaimniecība, veterinārmedicīna un pārtikas higiēna ir akreditēts uz 6 gadiem līdz pat 2019. gadam. Visas zinātniskās institūcijas un arī Lauksaimniecības fakultāte 2013. gadā piedalījās plašajā pasākumā „Lauki ienāk pilsētā” (14.09.2013.), kas prasīja daudz darba, bet deva arī lielu gandarījumu, saliedētības sajūtu un parādīja gan pilsētniekiem, gan pašiem sev, ka mūsu nozarei ir ar ko lepoties. Kā katru gadu ir notikušas lauka izmēģinājumu un zinātnisko laboratoriju apskates, lauka dienas, diskusijas, pieredzes apmaiņas. Esam daudz strādājuši un lielā steigā mēģinājuši ielēkt arī „viedo tehnoloģiju vilcienā...” | This - the 2013th year - agricultural scientists family has gone to great anniversary year: Priekuļi Plant Breeding Institute and the Latvian Plant Protection Research Centre looked at the centennial, but higher education in Latvian agriculture is possible to acquire for 150 years. Throughout the year, various events involving the significant anniversaries, but a seminar on " Harvest Festival Vecauce - 2013 " is like closing higher agricultural education Latvian anniversary in a series. " Vecauce ", which has for years been known as the " Mecca of Agronomy ", where in the front of the castle in stone chisels to all look our gazing giants Jānis Bergs and Jānis Apsīts, is the most appropriate place for this event. So happens that the agricultural education and scientific founders have a big anniversaries this year: Professors Jānis Bergs - 150, Arnolds Bušmanis - 140, Peteris Kulitāns - 135, Paulis Lejiņš and Pēteris Rizga - 130, Jānis Bērziņš - 120, Edgars Ozols - 115, Pauls Freimanis - 105, Anatolijs Burmistrovs and an assistant professor Alfrēds Seržāns - 100th. At last in 2013, the study carried out in the direction of accreditation, int.al. direction Agriculture, forestry, fisheries, veterinary medicine and food hygiene is accredited for 6 years up to the 2019th year. In 2013, all scientific institutions and Faculty of Agriculture participated in a large event "Country comes to town" ( 09.14.2013 . ), which required a lot of work, but also gave great satisfaction, a sense of unity and showed both city dwellers and to ourselves that our industry has to be proud of. As every year, field experimentations and research laboratory visitation, field days, discussion, and exchange of experience have been carried out. We've worked a lot and in a hurry tried to jump in a "smart technology train ... "

In 21st century urban and rural interaction is considered as one of the most important tools of balanced spatial development in the eyes of policymakers and researchers. The interaction is characterized by certain linkages (people, capital, goods, information and technology) – both natural and human made. This research will explore the urban – rural linkages in terms of population flows – it’s dynamic, costs (both financial and in terms of time spent) and influencing factors. Two surveys were conducted – the working age population survey (n = 1008) and municipality development planning expert survey (n = 67). Surveys led to the conclusion that there is a close and intense population movement flow from cities to rural areas and vice versa. The most significant movement reasons are visits, entertainment, services, and employment. Taking into account the fact that public services are located mostly in urban area, municipalities establish mutual partnership in several areas, for example, education, culture, employment, health care, etc. Improvements in public transport network accessibility, as well as quality of roads will promote rural – urban interaction and provide equal living conditions for inhabitants in both rural and urban areas.

Polyphenols, phenolic acids and vitamin E which are present in beer are natural antioxidants. The aim of current research was to characterize the dynamics of total phenolic content and antiradical activity of beer during wort fermentation. In experiments different samples of barley malt wort produced in laboratory and on stream were analysed. Total phenolic content was determined by spectrophotometer according to the Folin-Ciocalteu colorimetric method. The antioxidant potential of beer was analyzed by the DPPH assay. During wort fermentation total phenolic content of PRa sample decreased by 22%, but increased by 3–13% for samples made in laboratory, respectively PKILa and PLa. All wort and beer samples exhibited strong DPPH radical scavenging activity. It ranged from 918.2 to 2017.5 μmol TE LE-1 during wort fermentation. Strong correlation was found between total phenolic content and antiradical activity of wort and beer samples during wort fermentation.

Virus free stock material – potato (Solanum tuberosum) meristem plants in vitro was obtained and propagated by routine procedure established in State Priekuli Plant Breeding institute. Meristem plants after propagation were planted directly in greenhouse in plastic beds, filled with fertilized peat. Planting density was 45 plants per m2. Minitubers depending on variety were harvested after 80 – 100 days, graded into 3 weight classes (3 – 5 g, 5 – 20 g, greater than 20g) and counted. Results obtained for 7 cultivars from 2009 – 2012 ranged from 1.79 to 6.85 minitubers per plant depending on genotype. The influence of genotype on yield (minitubers per plant) was significant (P is less than 0.001). In terms of weight grades or fractions, on average 50% of tubers weighted more than 20 g, 40% ranged between 5 – 20 g, only 10% tubers were in range between 3 – 5 g.

Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) production season in open field conditions is quite short in Latvia. Therefore, it is important to extend production season. The experiment with the aim to obtain earlier strawberry yield was conducted at the Pūre Horticultural Research Centre during 2008 – 2010. Three cultivars – ‘Zefyr’, ‘Honeoye’, and ‘Polka’, grown on beds mulched with black plastic and without soil mulch in small tunnels covered by transparent polyethylene film or fleece (Agryl 17) were tested. Both transparent film and fleece covers succeeded the earliness of production respectively for 16 and 9 days if compared to uncovered plants. The earliest yield was obtained from cultivars ‘Zefyr’ and ‘Honeoye’ grown in small tunnels covered by transparent film on beds without soil mulching and with black plastic mulch.

The aim of the study was to analyse the quality of young Latvian Warmblood mares and their adequacy with goals of Selection Programme of Latvian Warmblood Horse. In general, mares born in 2008 corresponded to the conformation standards of Latvian Warmblood horse. Dry constitution and harmonic body characterizes these mares. The average height at the withers was 161.7±0.34 cm, chest 186.0±0.6 cm and cannon circumference 21.1±0.1 cm. Mares’ conformation faults were typical of the breed. The most representative sire lines of Latvian Warmblood mares born on 2008 were Cor De La Bryer – 49 mares, Lady Killer – 47, Ramiro Z – 24 and Alme Z – 21 mares.

Test day records of milk productivity traits and fat – protein ratio in first 150 days of lactation of Holstein Black and White (HM; n = 20) and Holstein Red (HS; n = 15) cows were analysed. HM and HS cows were kept in stall housing system. Animals had ad libitum access to total mixed rations. Significantly highest milk yield was obtained from HM (in the 3rd recording 29.9 kg per day). The HS characterized by higher fat content in milk; in the 1st recording milk fat content was significantly higher of HS (4.29%) as that of HM (3.43%). Protein content was not significantly different among the breeds. The average fat – protein ratio during investigation were from 1.05 to 1.25 for HS and 0.97 to 1.13 for HM cows. HM group had higher risk to get ill with subacute acidosis.

It is essential to find the most effective irrigation method because of critical periods in vegetable development when additional moisture can ensure proper development. Investigations were carried out at “Pūre Horticultural Research Centre” during 2011 and 2012. Three carrot (Daucus carota) cultivars were irrigated using two methods. The higher total yield was obtained for ‘Nevis’ F1. In 2011 the highest yield in most cases was harvested from plots using sprinkler irrigation, but in 2012 – drip irrigation. Carotene accumulation was dependent from meteorological conditions – during wet year 2011 the carotene content was less than in the dryer 2012. Irrigation has significant influence on yield increase, as well as on increase of root quality.

Lodging is the state of permanent displacement of cereal stems from their upright position. Several models are created for calculating lodging resistance using plant anatomical parameters, but all of them are for wheat (Triticum) or rice (Oryza). The aim of this study was to clarify if the same lodging calculation model of wheat fits to oat (Avena sativa L.). The centre of gravity was the examined parameter for prediction of lodging for oat cultivars. The trial was carried out at the State Stende Cereals Breeding Institute in the 2013. Five oat cultivars were used. At the beginning of yellow ripening (GS 80 – 82) plant samples were taken and stem/ear weight and length was measured. Centre of gravity and its coefficients were calculated. At the end of vegetation period lodging resistance was determined. Results were compared, and showed that genotype with higher centre of gravity characterized with low lodging resistance. This lodging resistance calculation model is suitable for oat, as well as wheat genotypes. | Labības veldrēšanās ir viens no biežākajiem graudaugu ražību ietekmējošajiem faktoriem, kas ne tikai apgrūtina novākšanas procesu, bet arī samazina graudu kvalitāti. Graudu nogatavošanās perioda beigās veldre var samazināt sējumu ražību pat līdz 80% (Berry et al., 2002). Aizvien biežāk tiek pētīti procesi, kas izraisa veldri, un ir noskaidrots, ka veldrēšanās ir komplicēta parādība, kas var būt atkarīga no laika apstākļiem, topogrāfijas, augsnes veida, priekšauga, augsnes apstrādes veida, slimībām un auga anatomiskām īpašībām (piemēram, sakņu sistēmas, auga garuma, stiebra sieniņu blīvuma, vārpas/skaras smaguma un veida) (Baker et al., 1998). Pārsvarā tiek pētīti pasaulē izplatītākie graudaugi kā kvieši (Triticum) un rīsi (Oryza), kam ir izstrādātas matemātiskas sakarības, kuras izmantojot iespējams noteikt veldres izturību (Berry et al., 2004; Reza et al., 2012). Šādu modeļu pagaidām nav auzām, kas lielākoties Latvijai raksturīgos klimatiskos apstākļos saveldrējas salīdzinoši bieži. Auzām galvenokārt raksturīga stiebru veldre augus daļēji noliecot vai nolaužot, kas liek secināt, ka sakņu sistēma ir pietiekoši izturīga, un veldrēšanos izraisa galvenokārt auga virszemes daļu anatomiskā uzbūve un meteoroloģiskie apstākļi. Tādēļ pētījuma mērķis bija noskaidrot, vai matemātiskās sakarības, kuras izmantojot iespējams noteikt veldres izturību, var tikt attiecinātas arī uz auzām.

Mixed bromo-chloro dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PXDD/PXDFs) are formed through combustion processes, and may be more toxic than their corresponding chlorinated and brominated analogues. Thus, an accurate, sensitive and reliable method for the determination is needed. In this study a methodology for the determination of mixed bromo-chloro dibenzo-pdioxins and furans was developed using high resolution mass spectrometry. The analytical methodology involved three step sample clean-up procedures – florisil, activated carbon and basic alumina columns. The developed method was validated and used to measure occurrence levels of these contaminants in real samples, when mixed bromo-chloro dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans were determined in 25 salmon (Salmo salar) samples. The limits of quantification achieved by this methodology ranged from 0.03 to 0.10 pg gE-1 fat for salmon.