The population of Latvia is increasingly interested in the production of garlic both for self-consumption and for sales in the market. The research puts forward the following hypothesis: garlic production is affected by economic and production factors of diverse significance. The research aims to examine the factors affecting the production of garlic in Latvia. The specific research tasks are as follows: (1) to give the characteristics of garlic production in Latvia; (2) to identify and assess the factors affecting the production of garlic in Latvia. The research has found that in Latvia, garlic was grown in small areas as an auxiliary crop, mainly in Zemgale region representing 54 % of the total garlic area as well as in Pieriga region (16 %), as garlic is a resource-intensive crop and sensitive to weather conditions and soil composition. Consequently, soils tests have to be done and a number of garlic varieties have to be field-tested for several years before starting growing this crop in order to identify the best variety for the field and the best garlic growing technology. Five most significant factors affecting garlic production in Latvia were as follows: (1) large financial investments are needed to start growing garlic (expert rating 0.84), (2) quality and availability of planting material (0.66), (3) soil composition (0.50), (4) weather conditions (0.47) and (5) labour intensity (0.44). In the analysis period of 2013−2016, Latvia annually imported approximately 900 t of garlic, i.e. more that the country produced this commodity. The Netherlands and Spain were the most significant importers of garlic into Latvia, accounting for more than 85 % of the total imports of garlic.

The research aim is to perform an economic evaluation of grain production in Latvia. In Latvia almost a third of the area was sown with winter wheat (30%), while only a 2% smaller area (28%) was sown with spring barley in 2008. Spring wheat, oats, and mixed grains occupy 14%, 12%, and 10% respectively of total area sown with grains. In 2008 the total output of grains equalled to 1089 thousand tons in Latvia. The average yield of winter grains has increased from 3.59 tons per hectare in 2007 to 4.00 tons per hectare in 2008. Latvian grain producers can fully meet the domestic market demand for grain. The average purchase prices of grains have decreased from LVL 123.83 per ton in 2007 to LVL 100.06 per ton in 2008. Calculations of the profitability for production of winter wheat show that it is possible to gain profit also at the average yields of winter wheat in Latvia by increasing an area sown with winter wheat to 33.79 ha. However, the rate of profitability rises 8% at a winter wheat yield of 1 ton above the average yield in Latvia.

The article presents the overview on comparison and evaluation of Festulolium (x Festulolium) and hybrid ryegrass (Lolium x boucheanum) with in Latvia developed tetraploid pasture ryegrass variety 'Spidola'. One of the main aims of festulolium breeding is a possibility it's to used in regions where climatic conditions are not insufficient favourable for ryegrass cultivation. In Latvia, the tetraploid variety 'Saikava' that is the hybrid of pasture ryegrass, lolium multiflorum and meadow fescue has been developed at the Research Institute of Agriculture of Latvia University of Agriculture. Foreign varieties ('Punia' (L.multifloflorum x F.pratensis), 'Perun' (L.multifloflorum x F.pratensis), 'Felina' and 'Hykor' (L.multifloflorum x F.arundinacea), 'Lofa', 'Tapirus' and 'Ligunda') are also tested in conditions of Latvia as well as winter hardiness and crop yield is evaluated. The experimental data about winter hardiness and dry matter yield of sward varieties are displayed in figures 1 and 2.

25 oat varieties from Latvia, Germany, Sweden, Lithuania, Estonia and other countries, including recommended and perspective oat varieties in Latvia, were compared at the State Stende Plant Breeding Station in summer 2005.

Hull-less or naked barley was rediscovered in Western Canada. Hull-less trait is one of the desirable traits for feed barley. Compared with hulled barley cultivars, hull-less cultivars have reduced fibre content and increased protein content. Due to the high nutritional value of hull-less barley it will became an alternative high-energy source in feed and food with good functional properties. In the years 2000-2001 the hull-less lines bred at the Latvia University of Agriculture and varieties and lines with diverse origin were estimated under conditions of Latvia. The results showed that the lines bred in Latvia are characterized by higher protein content but there is a need for improving their agronomic traits. The varieties and lines from Canada, Czech Republic and Sweden are the most suitable for the conditions of Latvia.

Soybean in Latvia is grown only in some private gardens. However, the Department of Plant Production at Latvia University of Agriculture does researches about soybeans and accentuate its potential in food production and animal feed.

In markets of Latvia, the asparagus beans (Vigna sesquipedalis cv 'Metro'), mung beans (Vigna radiata), and Vigna unguiculata ssp. ungiculata seeds can purchasing. The purchased seeds germinate in 10-14 days. The all three vignu species grow to an average height of 6.5 cm after month cultivation. As temperature in greenhouse fall down under 10 deg C and three days in night period was from 5 to 7 deg C, vignu vegetation ended due to lack of plant cold store. Vigna yield is small in the agro-climatic conditions of Latvia. Now low temperature affects vigna growth and development. In soil of Latvia existing rhizobia could invade vigna roots hair.

It is undeniable that apple trees and apples are the cornerstone of Latvian fruit growing. According to CSB data apple trees in Latvia in 2019 accounted for 76% of the total fruit and berry co-productions. At the same time, an apple orchard areas are decreasing, in 2020 reaching only 2655 ha declared for the single area payment (LAD data), dividing apple trees separately as a crop and having a continuous area of more than 0.3 ha. At present, compared to 2010, the area reduction reaches 18%. In the period 2009–2016 for the year according to CSB data, there were around 4,000 ha of apple orchards in Latvia. At the same time, co-production was obtained around 7.8–12.8 thousand tons, specified in the LR ZM “Strategy for sustainable activity programs of fruit and vegetable producer organizations in Latvia 2017–2023”. On the other hand within the framework of the national research program of the “reCOVery-LV” sub-project “Restructuring of local agricultural and food supply chains and strengthening their resilience in crisis and post-crisis conditions in Latvia” it was concluded that with proper care of gardens and younger people entering production for plantations, from 2,000–3,000 ha of apple orchards collect up to 30 thousand tons of fruit. The graphs show the production volumes of apples in the four largest producing countries, in the other member states and the EU in total, thousand tons. Apple harvest volume in Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Finland and Sweden in 2011–2020, thousand tons. Changes in apple prices in the EU, Poland, Latvia, Poland and Germany and on average in the EU in 2020–2021, Euro/100 kg, as well as the distribution of the countries of the world according to the amount of apples consumed.

Rapša audzēšanai Latvijas laukos nav senu un ilgstošu tradīciju. Rapsis Latvijā nozīmīgos apjomos strauji sāka izplatīties ar 2000. gadu un pašlaik jau ieņem vienu no dominējošām vietām starp Latvijā audzējamiem laukaugiem. Tajā pat laikā rapsim, salīdzinot ar citiem laukaugiem, ir daudz būtiski atšķirīgu agrobioloģisko un agrotehnoloģisko pamatprasību, kas apkopotā veidā latviešu valodā nav publicētas. Bez tam rapša bioloģisko un audzēšanas tehnoloģisko procesu izpēte nepārtraukti tiek veikta visās agroklimatiskās zonās un valstīs, kur to audzē, un līdz ar to arī rapša audzēšanas tehnoloģija nemitīgi pilnveidojas. Šinī izdevumā autori centās apkopot kā Latvijā tā arī ārvalstīs līdz šim veikto pētījumu rezultātus un gūtās atziņas, kā arī praktisko pieredzi rapša audzēšanā. Pievienotais izmantotās literatūras saraksts var kalpot arī kā detālākas izziņas avots par atsevišķiem jautājumiem. Izdevums izmantojams studentiem, pētniekiem, rapša audzētājiem un jebkuram, kam ir interese par rapsi. | Oilseed rape cultivation in the Latvian countryside is not a long and enduring tradition. In Latvia, oilseed rape in significant volumes began to spread rapidly by 2000 year and is already holding one of the dominant places among cultivated crops in Latvia. At the same time, oilseed rape, compared to other crops, there are many quite different agrobiological and agrotechnological essential in aggregate form not published in Latvian. Besides research of the oilseed rape biological and growing technological process is carried out continuously in all agro-climatic zones and countries where it is grown, and with it the rape cultivation technology is constantly evolving. In this edition, the authors tried to collect as Latvian and abroad to date research results and lessons learned as well as practical experience in oilseed rape growing. The attached list of references used can also serve as a more detailed source of information on certain issues. Edition used for students, researchers, oilseed rape growers and anyone with an interest in oilseed rape. Content of the book: 1. Oilseed rape cultivation history, distribution and yield; 2) Use of oilseed rape; 3) Growth and development of winter oilseed rape; 4) Oilseed rape diseases and its control; 4) Important pests in winter oilseed rape; 5) Oilseed rape harvesting; 6) Used literature.

The objective of the study is to improve the basis for differentiation cartograms of growing technologies for winter wheat and winter oil seed rape. Growing of winter oil seed rape in season 2008/2009 followed by winter wheat in 2009/2010 in 48 observation points in soil arable layer and in subsoil layer was determined: organic matter content, soil texture class, content of phosphorus and potassium, soil reaction. The crop roots mass and the length of the main root were determined in autumn after crop germination and in spring after renewal of vegetation. It was found that the root mass of winter oil seed rape and winter wheat in spring is the most significant parameter what determines formation of the oil seed rape yield. The mass of oil seed rape and winter wheat roots in spring had a significant positive effect on the soil density index in the subsoil layer. A significant positive effect on the winter wheat grain yield was shown also by the length of the main root in the autumn and the total root mass in spring. Increased content of potassium in both soil arable layers and in the subsoil layer has a significant positive effect on the winter wheat grain yield.