The implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC within Eastern European is now becoming of utmost significance. This is especially relevant to the territory of Ukrainian Polessie, which is characterized by specific geological and geomorphological conditions, excessive humidification and significant anthropogenic pressure on all components of ecosystems. In this section, we present a methodology for evaluating the content of specific toxicological substances based on a diversitological approach to the macrophyte composition of reservoirs. At the same time, the possibility to apply diversisologic indicators for the bio-indication of the content of heavy metals in coastal soils and bottom deposits was assessed. The most striking changes in the species composition are manifested at the points of the most significant anthropogenic pressure in the presence of toxic compounds in aquatic ecosystems. Significant variations in view indices were noted when the high concentration of heavy metals was reached in the bottom soil. The most significant influence on the species composition is due to high concentrations of the active forms of zinc and cuprum cations in both coastal soils and bottom deposits, although the excessive maximum limits allowed were only in the second group of substances. The close correlation between the content of all investigated groups of heavy metals in bottom deposits and species numbers, the index of dominance, Shannon Diversity Index, and Pielou’s Evenness Index were established. For Margalef Species Richness Index, close dependencies were established for active forms of cations of nickel, cobalt, zinc and cadmium, for other groups the bonds were weak. For Sørensen–Dice Index weaknesses were found with the contents of active forms of cations of nickel and chromium; for other groups of active forms of heavy metals, except cobalt cations, close ties were established as well.

The research aims of this study were to determine and to evaluate the effect of feed contaminated with different concentrations of fusariotoxins (zearalenone (ZEA), deoxynivalenol (DON) on the quality of milk investigate concentration zearalenone in cow milk samples. Feed and milk samples were collected from dairy farms which were the high Total Bacterial Count (TBC) and Somatic Cell Count (SCC) in milk. Feed samples were tested by TLC (Romer Labs methods). The zearalenone (ZEA) in the milk was measured by ELISA test, RIDASCREEN® Zearalenon (R-Biopharm AG). The milk qualitative indicators testing was conducted by public enterprise „Pieno tyrimai“ (Lithuania). From 12 dairy cow farms, which have high TBC and SCC, were selected feed samples for detection of fusariotoxins. Average ZEA concentration in feed was 496.25±51 µg/kg (p<0.05), DON average concentration in feed was 65.31±12 µg/kg (p<0.05). Higher amount TBC in milk samples were in those farms where was detection ZEA and DON concentration. As a result, we can assume that the higher TBC in milk samples than 221±20 thous. CFU/ml was find in farms where in feed samples was detected the higher ZEA concentration than 700±50 µg/kg (p<0.05). The highest levels than 650±42 of SCC in milk were found when the feed samples were contaminated ZEA - 700±50 µg/kg (p<0.05) and more. It can also be observed that the higher the ZEA concentration in the sample is, the higher the amount of SCC follows. Comparing concentration ZEA in feed and in milk established percent from 0.01 to 0.31 % (p<0.05). The highest levels of SCC and TBC were found in samples with high concentrations of ZEA. In 16 % milk samples we detected ZEA, concentration was from 0.08 µg/l to 0.4 µg/l.  

Human community, whose behavior is determined by the influence of biological and social systems, the ability to realize and evaluate the results of its activities, orientation, strategic decisions, to ensure the sustainable development of the ecosystem, in a context of increasing the factor of limited resources (energy, materials, information) is transformed into intellectualization public relations and institutions. Rural development in the context of decentralization has led to the search for effective public administration mechanisms. The purpose of the study is to establish a mechanism for improving the territorial communities management technology on the example of Family Homesteads. The research methodology is based on structured interviews and unstructured conversations with the inhabitants of family homesteads, leadership of local self-government and experts in the field of rural development. Activation of the processes of rural development through the implementation of the idea of "Family Homestate" involves the participation of the population in the normative regulation (the adoption of the relevant law); assistance in the development of new settlements in rural areas by changing the status of the land, creating a land bank; activation of activity of public organizations registered in territorial communities, organization of settlements at the level of territorial communities, including the exchange of experience, coordination of activities in the middle of the movement, establishment of positive relations between the local population and immigrants and others like that. The advantages of the practice of public administration of the territory are established with the help of blockchain technology, which allows to reduce administration costs and promote resource participation.

This article reveals the importance of social infrastructure (hereinafter SI) services to rural people, overall rural development and its interface with green economy in Poland and Lithuania. Social infrastructure services are recognized as basic services which are useful and used by people in everyday life regardless of where people live. Development of these services is a key issue when it is analysed in the rural context because it includes various services for local community, facilities, relationships and networks which is not always the focus even in scientific discourse. Social infrastructure services can be considered as important element of rural people integration, fostering their capabilities and acknowledging human rights. The research question of this article is – how the importance of social infrastructure services in rural areas appears? The aim of the research is to disclose the importance of social infrastructure services in rural areas. There were used both theoretical and empirical research methods exploring the evaluations about of social infrastructure services in Poland and Lithuania by using empirical data from European Social Survey. The research results disclosed that the differences between two countries are not very strong and between rural and urban areas are slightly noticeable in some aspects. In Poland the state of education services in rural areas and small towns was rated little higher than in Lithuania, while perception of health services is much better in Lithuania, especially in big cities. Lithuanian residents trust the police more than Polish people but their feeling of safety is noticeably lower.

Colletotrichum spp. is a significant strawberry fruit pathogen, causing yield losses of up to 80% - growing resistance to pesticides demands to new, environmentally-friendly plant protection. Essential oils (EO) are one of the biological plant protection products suitable for pathogens control. The antimicrobial and antifungal activity of EO, biodegradability and low toxicity, make it potential for use in plant protection against pathogens instead of chemicals. The present study was carried out to investigate the antifungal effects of Salvia officinalis and Picea abies essential oils against strawberry Colletotrichum spp. The research carried at the LAMMC Institute of Horticulture. The bio-fungicidal effect was assessed based on radial growth inhibitions. There were evaluated several EO concentrations: 1000-1800 µl/l. Single-spore isolate fragment placed in the centre of PDA with different concentrations. Plates were incubated at oils 25 o C in darkness and evaluated after 2, 4, 7 days. S. officinalis and P. abies EO showed inhibitory effect on Colletotrichum spp. mycelial development. The S. officinalis inhibitory effect was more than 50% in all concentrations. The present study revealed that highest 1800 μl/l S. officinalis EO concentration Colletotrichum spp. colony diameter was significantly lower (1.84 cm) compared with control (5.75 cm). However, P. abies inhibition more than 50 % were only in concentrations from 1600 μl/l. According to our results, treatment with EO can reduce the growth of Colletotrichum spp. and EO could be an effective potential bio-fungicide to control strawberry anthracnose. EO as bio-fungicides characteristics is their natural origin and low risk for resistance development.

Latvia's forest reference level (FRL) should take in account the future impact of dynamic age-related forest characteristics in order to avoid unduly constraining the forest management intensity as a core element of sustainable forest management practice, with the aim of maintaining or strengthening long-term carbon sinks. The basic for calculations of GHG projections is AGM (Forest growth model) and EPIM (Emissions Projections and Inventory Model). The scope of the study is to verify applicability of the AGM model in elaboration of the forestry projections for elaboration of the FRL according to regulation (EU) 2018/841.

The collection of 82 collection numbers of the plant Symphyotrichum Nees genus has been accumulated in the period of 1923 - 2018 at Vytautas Magnus University Botanical Garden. The collection consists of Symphyotrichum cordifolium, S. dumosum, S. ericoides, S. laeve, S. lanceolatum, S. lateriflorum, S. novae-angliae, S. novi-belgii, S. oblongifolium, S. pilosum, S. × salignum, S. tradescantii, S. turbinellum, S. urophyllum, and their infraspecific taxa and cultones. The major part of the collection consists of S. novi-belgii (32 collection numbers) and S. novae-angliae (19 collection numbers) infraspecific taxa and cultones. 57 collection numbers were acquired by sproutings from other botanical gardens, private collections, nurseries, the origin of 21 collection numbers is unknown, 4 collection numbers were acquired by seed exchange with other botanical gardens. Phenological observations and biometric measurements of plants were performed according to methodological manual "Methodology of phenological observations, biometric measurements and assortment formation of ornamental herbaceous plants" prepared by J. Vaidelys in 2005. When assessing the phytopathological status of plants, powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) was determined as the main disease affecting the plants. S. dumosum and S. novi-belgii interspecific taxa and cultones were the most susceptible to the disease. Plants grown in the same location for more than 3 years were more susceptible to the disease. The aim of the study was to review the Symphyotrichum collection and to evaluate the susceptibility of different groups of cultivars to powdery mildew.

The capabilities of modern electronics for autonomous environmental monitoring with wireless data transmission and storage are diverse and give the network operator some freedom in performing any task. The aim of the study is to develop a sensor system for monitoring and controlling the active drying process of grain. An experimental prototype was developed and installed on the farm for two grain drying tanks of the same volume; for one of which the intake air was blended with ozone as a grain drying agent. The paper analyzes the desired and minimum number of monitoring parameters, sensor requirements, their optimal placement in grain drying tanks, data collection, transmission and storage, and data processing and display capabilities. By way of example, the preliminary results of grain drying in tank with ozone-enriched intake air are demonstrated.

Innovation – it is a term that we use for decades, but true meaning of this term changes also for decades, according to dynamic environment we are living in. There is now beginning of the 4th industrial revolution and what has been said in World Economic forum, issues are not about technologies anymore, they are about society. Innovation and entrepreneurship in regions is one of essential tools, in added value creation in economics and in development in national level. It is very important to encourage creativity, new ways of thinking and continuous process of learning of individuals. There are some different approaches how to measure competitiveness of state economy and competitiveness in regional level. Statistical data shows situation from point of view in national level, Regional level and local community level have to be researched detailed, and every situation, which can make impact on level above, have to be taken into account. Research methods, used for these studies were analysis of scientific papers, strategic planning documents and guidelines of EU and Latvia and survey of inhabitants of local community what are their opinion about participation in the processes to make changes in development of region and local community. Main results were related with issue, that tenants of region at very low level evaluate impact of state as institution and management system in national level, better evaluation of local government institutions, but at the same time there is lack of desire to participate actively in processes of local community to encourage changes in regional level. Key words: innovation, regional development.

The scientific problem addressed by the article is the lack of the ways for identification and solution of the issues of financial autonomy in rural municipalities. The aim of the article is to identify the problem areas of financial autonomy in Lithuanian rural municipalities. The problem areas of financial autonomy in rural municipalities have been identified under the methods of scientific literature analysis, document analysis, and statistical data analysis, and comparative analysis. The problematics of definition of the phenomenon of financial autonomy of rural municipalities has been noticed; problem areas of expenditure, revenue, financial transfers and borrowing in the municipalities have been identified. The empirical study of the data on 50 Lithuanian rural municipalities reflecting their respective financial autonomy in the period 2014-2018 (municipality revenue structure, revenue per capita, the dynamics of the share of the personal income tax (PIT)) revealed that the major share of the revenues of rural municipalities is collected by means of the PIT. There are four donor municipalities in Lithuania – Vilnius city, Kaunas city, Klaipėda city and Neringa municipalities – with their PITs used to support rural municipalities. The central authorities of Lithuania apply inter-budgetary reallocation of funds in order to introduce the financial equalization measures to adjust for the unequal allocation of potential financial resources between the municipalities with the ultimate objective of eliminating the territorial, social and economic disparities between the municipalities. However, the revenue and expenditure remain unequalized between the municipalities.