The aim of the study was to assess the possible antioxidant and antiproliferative effects of various sweet potato extracts (Ipomoea batatas [L.] Lam) in terms of their suitability for food processing. Antioxidant activity of water infusions from the leaves of 5 sweet potato varieties (Carmen Rubin, Cananua, Georgia Jet, Satsumo Imo, White Triumph) obtained from field cultivation in Felin (51°13'N, 22°37'E) was determined. The field experiment was carried out using the randomized blocks method, in triplicate, in accordance with the principles of good agricultural practice. The leaves were collected at phase 68 according to the BBCH scale. After harvesting, the leaves were dried to constant weight. After drying, the leaves were saturated with water at 80 ° C and 100 ° C for 3, 6 and 9 minutes. The total content of phenolic compounds was determined by the method of Ghasemzadeh et al. Antioxidant activity of sweet potato leaf infusions was determined by DPPH radical spectrophotometry. The time to prepare the infusions significantly differentiated the TP content. Infusions evaluated after 3 minutes were the most favorable in this respect. The antioxidant activity of the tested infusions obtained from sweet potato leaves ranged from 33% to 59%, depending on the variety, and 34-43%, depending on the time the infusion was prepared. Leaf infusions prepared at 100°C had a higher antioxidant activity than infusions made at 80°C. The highest antioxidant activity was revealed by infusions from White Triumph cultivar leaves, lowest - from Cananua cultivar leaves.

Rural regions are confronted with several challenges, such as depopulation, overageing or a declining economic importance of the primary sector. Thus, innovative efforts are required to make such regions more attractive and to maintain and further develop social and physical infrastructure. HORIZON 2020 project LIVERUR aims at strengthening rural regions by expanding innovative business models set up as Living Labs, which are user-centred and open-innovation ecosystems. Living Labs establish a sustainable stakeholder partnership, where users, policy-makers, companies and researchers engage in a long-term collaboration. Within LIVERUR, suitable rural business models are identified and will be developed towards the Living Lab concept. Therefore, a framework with a criteria system with the most relevant LIVERUR topics was developed, following a literature review on important documents of the United Nations and EU as well as scientific publications. This criteria system focuses on four main criteria: 1. Living Lab approach, 2. Economic sustainability, 3. Social sustainability and 4. Ecological sustainability. Each criterion is supplemented with 3 to 6 concrete indicators, which help to create a comprehensive view on sustainable business models linked to the Living Lab approach. The results show 20 business models within 13 pilot regions, which are largely on a high level of development, but most of them still have potential for further development. The presented framework is easy in its application and helps to assess and illustrate business models regarding Living Lab and sustainability characteristics. It is also helpful to highlight a business model´s potential for development.

Clusters play an important role in driving competitiveness, innovation and jobs creation in the EU. Romania currently has successful clusters in various economic sectors and services, including 7 clusters in agro-food. Agriculture has been and remains the support of the human existence, which is an important pillar of the Romanian rural economy. The agro-food sector had oscillating evolutions in the post-accession period, mainly generated by the need to get in line with the EU requirements. Stimulating smart technology assimilation across all economic sectors including agro-food value chains, promoting enterprise growth and clusters 4.0 is critical to many EU Member States. Partnerships between countries, regions, cities and clusters are essential in the next industrial modernization process, based on innovation. Clusters 4.0 calls for development of a generation of advanced cluster policies to respond to these new industrial challenges by facilitating cross-sectoral value chains, fostering internationalization, stimulating inter-regional investment and accelerating entrepreneurship and skills in digital production, environmental production, circular economy, service innovation and creative economy. In order to be ready for the future, clusters must be geared towards creating a smart value chains, international cooperation and cross-sectoral partnerships. This research paper proposes a model  as a tool for agro-clusters to become “smart”, also this proposal providing information on the most important steps in the creation and development of smart agro-clusters. The used research methodology was based on analysis and synthesis of the information on the economic and social aspects of the development of the agro-food sector and of clusters in Romania. In conclusion, the authors of this paper wanted to emphasize the necessity of the development of smart agro-clusters for the future smart specialization of the regions.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Saccharomyes cerevisiae, Geotrichum fermentans, Rhodotorula rubra and Kluyveromyces marxianus yeast cell suspensions and Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell wall’s polysaccharides and fermentation time on mycotoxins concentrations in feed wheat. The 2018 harvest three feed wheat samples were taken from grain processing companies and the research was carried out at the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Veterinary Academy, Mycotoxicology Laboratory. The thin – layer chromatography technique (TLC) was used to determine mycotoxins concentrations in the samples. The wheat samples were inoculated with Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Geotrichum fermentans Rhodotorula rubra and Kluyveromyces marxianus yeast 104 cells` ml-1 suspensions and Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell wall`s polysaccharides, duration of the wheat fermentation with the yeast was – 30 min. and 60 min. It was found that all species the yeast suspensions – reducing effect of mycotoxins concentrations correlated with longer duration of fermentation. Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast suspension after 60 min. reduced AFB1 and DON by 100% (p<0.05) and ZEA up to 80.1 ± 0.50% (p<0.05). Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast cell wall`s polysaccharides decreased the concentrations of AFB1 (p>0.05), ZEA (p<0.05), DON (p<0.05) during the experiment better than Saccharomyces cerevisiae 104 cells` ml-1 suspension and after 60 min. exposure polysaccharides absorbed all wheat mycotoxins by 100% (p<0.05). The AFB1 were best absorbed by Kluyveromyces marxianus yeast after 60 min. of fermentation by 100% (p<0.05). The DON concentration was below the detection limit after 60 min. of fermentation with Geotrichum fermentans and Rhodotorula rubra yeast.

The aim of the paper was to determine the impact of Marijampolė city wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) on the water quality of the Šešupė River. The wastewater and surface water samples were collected from January 2015 until January 2018. The condition of the surface water the Šešupė River condition is assessed 100 meters before the release point and 500 meters after the release point. The results show that the wastewater treatment  is treated efficiently. It has been determined that the values all indicators of wastewater treatment efficiency duration of the study was the same (the function was negative, and the determination coefficients were very low: R2= 0. 03; R2= 0.012; R2= 0.0006 and R2=0.034). The treated wastewater is released from the Marijampolė WWTP into the Šešupe River. The highest concentration according to all examined indicators was in 500 meters after the release of the wastewater. All differences were found to be statistically significant. It shows that, although wastewater is efficiently treated, it has a negative impact on the water quality of the Šešupė River.

The paper presents the comparative analysis of the Palanga city landscape change during the period between 2008 and 2019. For this analysis, the land fund statistics of the Republic of Lithuania, which had been grouped into a relatively natural and anthropogenic landscape, were used. Landscape change is graphically shown in the figures. Lithuanian and foreign scientific literature and legal acts were analyzed for the fulfillment of the work. The Palanga city landscape analysis of the current situation was done. During the analysis the Palanga city statistics were compared with the data of Klaipeda County and the Republic of Lithuania. Landscape structure maintenance is the subject important and relevant to this day, as the landscape shapes the country's culture and is the component of natural and cultural heritage contributing to the quality of life and it consolidates Lithuanian identity, uniqueness in Europe and the world. The topic is actual because it is necessary to analyze landscape change in Palanga in order to evaluate and preserve the components of natural landscape in Lithuanian resort. The analysis showed that during the analyzed period the Palanga city natural landscape area 46.34 ha or 1.39 percent. The increase of the natural landscape area was determined by the development of water bodies and wetland areas.

Fertilization is a way of improving tree growth and thus profitability of forestry, however this practice may cause negative side effects, such as loss of biodiversity. Ground vegetation represents a major part of plant biodiversity in forest and it is sensitive to environmental changes. The aim of the study was to characterize a short-term impact of ammonium nitrate and wood ash application on floristic composition and species diversity in conifer and deciduous forests on drained mineral and peat soils. The study was conducted in 6 stands representing Myrtillosa, Myrtillosa turf.mel., Vacciniosa mel. and Vacciniosa turf. mel. forest types. The projective cover of each species was estimated visually, separately for moss, herb and shrub layer. Shannon diversity index was calculated and compared between the plots, where fertilizers were added, and control plots. Results show that species composition corresponds to the respective forest types regardless of the application of fertilizers. In Myrtillosa mel. stands, Myrtillosa turf. mel. birch stand and Vacciniosa mel. stand nitrophilous species were more frequently observed and had a slightly larger projective cover in treatment plots, which could be explained by the impact of fertilization. Species diversity in the moss layer might have lowered as a result of fertilization, whereas no consistent patterns were observed for the herb layer. A repeated survey will show, if changes in ground vegetation persist longer.

Jerusalem artichoke is suitable for use in biorefineries due to the very high biomass production and low soil, climate and cultivation requirements. Tubers of this species can be used for the production of methane fermentation or bioethanol. The aboveground part can be used for the production of biomethane, as well as in the direct combustion process or for the production of briquettes and pellets. Of the cultivars tested, Albik and Violet de Rennes proved to be the most useful for energy purposes. An important advantage of Jerusalem artichoke is its resistance to adverse climatic conditions (drought, frost), resistance to diseases and pests and the possibility of self-renewal.

To clarify the opinion of Latvian private forest owners on the use of EU funding in forest management, a survey of forest owners (Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies grant project No. Z7 funding) was conducted in November 2018 by the staff members of the Forest Advisory Service Centre (FASC) which is a branch of the Latvian Rural Advisory and Training Centre. A total of 153 forest owners have been included in the survey, of whom 107 (70%) forest owners have previously used EU funding support in forest management, and 46 forest owners (30%) who have not used this opportunity. The respondents included in the survey represent forest owners from all regions of Latvia. The survey included general questions describing the profile of the forest owner, such as the size of the owned forest area, for how long the forest has been the owner’s property, knowledge of forest management and the way of receiving information. Regarding the attracting of EU funding, the forest owner's view of the already used EU support and its type was clarified and the overall level of satisfaction, the necessary improvements, and the type of EU support needed for further forest management were identified. The study also includes the results of other similar surveys carried out by other institutions on forest owners’ opinions on EU support for forestry. The results of the survey conducted by FASC confirm that 76% of forest owners who have already used some measures of the EU's financial support at least once are ready to take advantage of the opportunity to apply for the support also in the future. The forest owners, who have not used EU financial support for forest management so far, continue to express sceptical opinions, and only 46% of such respondents would be willing to apply for further EU support funding. When comparing the priority support directions specified by forest owners, it can be concluded that the trends in the need for subsidies are fairly similar, 80% of owners who have previously used the financial EU support, point out that support for young stand and advanced growth thinning is still needed in the future. The same opinion has been expressed by 70% of forest owners who have not previously used the EU funding. In a series of studies, a general trend for priority of most desirable EU subsidies have been identified and it was revealed that 61% of forest owners want to receive support for young stand and advanced growth thinning. Half of this percentage of respondents have pointed out the need for EU subsidies for forest amelioration and road construction (32%), forest establishment (31%), forest regeneration (30%) and for compensations of the protection of natural values and for it management  (29%).

In traditional farming, plants require a lot of space (growing area), they consume a large amount of water, absorb a small percentage of nutrients in soil and are completely dependent on meteorological conditions. Therefore, growing crops in this way entails high costs and a high risk of invested funds. One of the measures to reduce these factors is the use of hydroponics.In the study six types of hydroponic systems (HS) plant constructions based on plant nutrient supply technology were reviewed: ebb and flow HS; nutrient film technique (NFT) HS; aeroponics; deep water culture HS; “wick” HS and drip-irrigation HS. In addition, a review of the structural design of the hydroponic systems identified their advantages and disadvantages in green fodder production.The most promising technology for the cultivation of green fodder is the NFT HS. This cultivation technology is appreciated in feed production for its highly utilized growing room volume and closed-loop irrigation solution to plants, which allows it to be easily automated based on solution parameters. Seven farms already have this technology in place in Lithuania. In order to optimize hydroponic fodder cultivation technology, it is expedient to improve NFT equipment and process control systems.