The results of scientific research in organic and intensive farming incorporating plant production and fertilizers application, plant diseases distribution, monitoring and control, plant genetics, dairy farming and food science are described in this edition of scientific workshop during reorganization of the scientific institutes of Latvia University of Agriculture.

Potato is still one of the four most grown crops in Latvia. Although the growing area decreases every year, potato productivity slowly increases. An important factor for getting higher yield is to keep potato foliage green as long as possible during the growing season. To achieve this result certificated seed material and appropriate crop rotation has to be used, and fungicides applied when it is necessary. In 2015 meteorological conditions were not favourable for developing of potato late blight, caused by Phytophthora infestans which is the most important potato disease. The P. infestans have considerably changed during the last twenty years and disease is getting more aggressive. More often the stem form of late blight is observed. This year the potato early blight caused by Altenaria spp. was dominant disease in potato fields and spread of the disease at the end of the season was 30–97%, depending on variety. Comparatively rainy July influenced the appearance of potato foliar diseases that are not topical every year. This year the bacterial black leg and black dot caused by Colletotrichum coccodes was observed in potato growing farm located in Ozolnieki region.

Cow milk productivity and longevity is one of the most important traits in dairy farming. In our study we obtained information about Latvian brown and Holstein black and white cows located in LLU Research and Study Farm „Vecauce”. Data was obtained about 1706 culled dairy cows from which 1563 were Latvian brown and 143 were Holstein black and white cattle. Data was distributed in 7 different time groups to see the changes in productivity in different time periods. Productivity of Latvian brown cows in time period from year 2001–2015 increased. Milk protein content in Latvian brown breed group increased by 0.99% in time of 12 years. In time period from 2001–2015 selective culling and culling connected with different cow health issues was performed in „Vecauce”. Significantly longer life was in Latvian brown cow group, which was culled in average 1.3 years later than Holstein black and white cattle.

Field trials using three winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) varieties (‘Edvins’, ‘Skagen’, ‘Olivin’) were carried out at Research and Study farm „Vecauce” in 2014/2015. All together six fungicide spraying schemes were performed, where seven fungicides containing different active ingredients (epoxiconazole, fenpropimorph, metrafenone, kresoxim-methyl, pyraclostrobin, boscalid, fluxapyroxad), in different combinations were used. Five schemes included two sprayings, but one – only one fungicide application. Yield of winter wheat fluctuated from 10.25 to 12.90 t haE-1, the most productive variety on average was ‘Skagen’. Results showed that influence of fungicide treatment on grain yield and 1000 grain weight was significant; yield increase was from 0.52 to 1.30 t haE-1 on average depending on treatment scheme. The highest grain yields were obtained in schemes where strobilurine containing fungicides at the second treatment were applied. Strobilurine delayed the aging of green leaves, positive essential correlation between green leaf area and yield was determined as well as between green leaf area and 1000 grain weight.

The choice of apple (Malus domestica) cultivars depends on the climatic conditions in Latvia that are characterized by short vegetation period and incidence of very low winter temperatures, as well as resistance to various diseases. Apple scab (Venturia inaequalis) is the most economically important apple disease world-wide in apple-growing regions, especially in territories with moist and cool climate in spring and frequent rains in summer. Since 2003 Latvian Plant Protection Research Centre has adapted the RIMpro model for apple scab control in Latvian climatic conditions. The main objective of the present investigation was to determine the incidence and severity of apple scab in 27 apple orchards in various regions in Latvia, and to obtain information from farmers on fungicide applications in the season of the year 2015. Apple scab was present in all orchards. Fungicide applications ranged from two to eight, in most cases targeting only the primary infection period of the apple scab. The most heavily affected cultivars were ‘Belorusskoje Maļinovoje’ and ‘Lobo’. For these cultivars more intense application of fungicides are recommended also during the secondary scab infection period.

Increase in bioresources and food production in the world have become objective needs. Exploiting land resources provides possibility to increase agricultural output and economic efficiency in Latvia’s rural areas. Yet, agricultural growth in Latvia’s rural areas may not be in contradiction with sustainable development principles. It is necessary to intensify agricultural production by increasing agricultural output and contributing to comprehensively achieving sustainability indicators. Zemgale region agricultural production sector is undergoing rapid structural changes. Evaluation of sustainable intensification is carried out in grain and dairy industries.

Seed germination testing is important both in agricultural practice and in scientific research. An accurate presentation and correct interpretation of results of germination tests require understanding of parameters that characterize seed germination process. Some of the important parameters and indices can be used misleadingly or misinterpreted because there are synonymous terms or different usage of the same terms. The aim of this article is to describe the most important seed germination parameters and their application, using a practical example.

One of the most important crops in Latvia is winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Winter wheat yield and grain quality depends on the used nitrogen fertilizer which is one of the most dynamic plant nutrients in the soil. The study aims to justify the maximum allowable nitrogen fertilizer rates of winter wheat economically. Field trials were carried out at the LLU Research and Study farm „Pēterlauki” in 2014/2015. Eight different nitrogen topdressing rates were used (N0, N60, N90, N120, N150 (90+60), N180 (90+60+30), N210 (90+70+50), N240 (120+60+60)) in two soil tillage treatments (traditional where the mould-board ploughing was performed and reduced tillage). Field trial results showed that carrying out the mould-board (20–22 cm depth) ploughing the winter wheat yields were slightly higher if compared with reduced tillage (10-13 cm depth) variant, but the difference was not significant at the 95% probability level. After increasing nitrogen fertilizer rate grain yield increased and grain quality indicators improved.

Since 2013 unemployment (including youth unemployment) in some regions of Latvia has decreased; but still, there has been a high level of unemployment in Latgale region and in other rural areas forcing population to leave the country in search of work abroad. The real situation of employment is not reflected in Latvian statistics because not all people who are out of work are registered at the State Employment Agency and therefore the figures are not absolutely accurate. This situation has a negative impact on Latvian economy as a whole, as there is no increase in the economically active population who is paying taxes and who increase government revenue. The fall in Latvian national population in rural areas and small cities negatively affects the number of customers who are able to purchase products or services in sufficient quantity; that is the main reason why the entrepreneurship situation in many Latvian rural regions is critical and their future development is unclear. It is important to encourage young people’s interest in entrepreneurship development, which is export oriented.

The main purpose of the current research was to investigate total content of dietary fibre and vitamin B1 and B2 in pasta made from several types’ whole grain flour. In the experiment rye ‘Kaupo’, wheat ‘Zentos’, hullless barley PR 5099 and triticale 9405-23 grain harvested in 2012 were used. The following quality parameters of pasta were evaluated using standard methods: content of total dietary fibre (ISO 5498) and vitamins B1 and B2 – by AOAC 986.27 and 970.65 respectively. In the present research significant differences in total dietary fibre content of analysed whole-grain rye, hull-less barley, triticale and wheat pasta samples were established. Higher dietary fibre content was found in whole-wheat and triticale pasta, the lowest in the control sample. Lower dietary fibre content was obtained for whole-rye and hull-less barley pasta. Vitamin B1 content in whole-grain wheat pasta samples was significantly higher than in hull-less barley, triticale, and rye pasta. The lowest content of vitamin B1, 2.7±0.14 mg kgE-1 was obtained for whole-hull-less barley pasta sample, the highest 3.19±0.12 mg kgE-1 for whole-wheat pasta. The lowest B2 vitamin content, 0.07±0.07 mg kgE-1, was obtained for whole-hull-less barley pasta, however, the highest B2, 0.81±0.09 mg kgE-1 in whole wheat pasta sample.