Interest in cloudberries Rubus chamaemorus L. has recently increased in the world and Latvia because development of this industry could increase regional economic growth. However, there are many unknown issues in this industry, even in a global context. Meanwhile, researches of cloudberry and Arctic bramble (Rubus arcticus L.) cultivation in Latvia practically do not exist. Cultivation of different cloudberry varieties would be a good opportunity of bog re-cultivation, opening the way for specific “niche” products with high added value. In the University of Eastern Finland there was a study where five substrates, five fertilizers and nine genotypes (varieties, hybrids) were tested for influence on the Arctic bramble growth and development, and biochemical parameters of berry, as well as fertilizer and clones impact on productivity and fruit quality of cloudberry. I had a chance to take part in an experience exchange project called “Leonardo da Vinci” where I had an opportunity to visit the University of Kuopio, Department of Pomiculture, where I met with my colleagues and learned the development of methodology, as well as the problems that arise during the cultivation of both species.

Productivity and response to waste water, wood ash and digestate fertilizer of commercial clones ‘Sven’, ‘Gudrun’, ‘Tordis’, ‘Tora’, ‘Lisa’, ‘Inger’, ‘Stina’ and ‘Klara’ were tested in Skriveri and „Vecauce”. The best combination of moisture content of chips and productivity showed ‘Sven’ („Vecauce”) and ‘Thor’ (Skriveri). Most effective fertilizer was waste water sludge, but the most productive clones in Latvian conditions were ‘Tora’, ‘Inger’, ‘Tordis’, ‘Klara’, but on sandy soils – ‘Sven’.

Milk production and milk composition are of prime economic importance for farmers. Thus, as protein volume in feed is increased, not only more milk is produced, bet also threats for environmental pollution are growing. The objective of this work was to establish milk urea content in different farms. Individual cow milk samples (n = 14873) were collected monthly from September 2009 to September 2011. It was established in this study that forecasted ammonium pollution emitted daily from agricultural holdings using tie stall housing may comprise 91.4 – 104.0 g from cow, while amount emitted by freestall housing holdings may constitute 93.9 – 95.9 g from cow daily.

Some of small-sized Bembidion ground beetles (Carabidae) often inhabit various cereal crops and are feeding mainly on aphids. They also can take a dominant position into assemblage of all ground beetle species. The objective of this research was to compare phenology of activity density of Bembidion ground beetles in differently managed winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) fields. The research was carried out at Latvia University of Agriculture Study and Research Farm „Peterlauki” (56 o 30’39.38’’N; 23o 41’30.15’’E) using 12 differently cultivated and pre-cropped sample plots (0.25 ha) during 2012. Totally six Bembidion species – B. quadrimaculatum, B. lampros, B. properans, B. guttula, B. mannerheimii and B. obtusum – were observed. Different pre-crops did not significantly affect the activity density of Bembidion beetles, but traditionally tilled (ploughed) soil promoted significantly higher activity density of Bembidion ground beetles than minimally tilled soil throughout vegetation season.

Lactation is a factor affecting milk productivity. Recording data was analyzed from 22 first-, 17 second- and 26 third- and older lactation dairy cows. Cows were from different breeds. Data was collected from calving to the 3rd milk recording (average 80th day of lactation). All cows were kept in loose housing system and fed with total mixed ration. Significantly highest milk yield was in 3rd lactation group in 2nd recording (45.4 ± 1.48 kg, p is less than 0.05). Fat content was significantly different in 1st and 3rd lactation groups in 1st and 2nd recordings, highest fat content was in 3rd lactation group in 1st recording (4.79 ± 0.14%; p 0.05). Milk protein, lactose content and SCS did not differ significantly. Fat – lactose ratio was highest in 3rd lactation group in all recordings. Highest fat – lactose ratio was in 3rd lactation group in 1st recording (0.98).

Recently the growth rates of bioenergy production are leading to the waste – digestate and wood ash increases, which are essential to be managed in the most efficient way. In order to study the waste products application possibilities for energy crops – reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) and festulolium (×Festulolium pabulare), the fertilisation trials were established in 2012 at the Skriveri Research Institute of Agriculture. The following treatments were compared: (1) without fertilisers (control); (2) mineral fertilisers; (3) wood ash; (4) digestate once per season; (5) digestate two times per season. Similar amount of main plant nutrients (N, P2O5, K2O) were provided in all treatments. The biomass yield was harvested using two cutting regimes: two cut and one-cut harvest system. This article summarizes the findings on the grasses productivity in 1st year of use. The productivity of perennial grass biomass was dependent on the type of applied fertilisers, grass species and cutting regime: the highest average dry matter yield was produced by reed canary grass. The highest dry matter (DM) yield in average for both grass species were obtained by harvesting once per season – in autumn at the phase of crop senescence when wood ash and mineral fertilisers were used as fertilisers.

High occurrence of faba bean diseases is observed in production fields in Latvia, but investigations of the disease s have not been done yet. The aim of the presented research was to determine the development of faba bean diseases depending on cultivar, as well as to identify the causal agents of leaf diseases. Field trials were carried out at the Study and Research Farm „Peterlauki” of the Latvia University of Agriculture. Three cultivars ‘Laura’, ‘Isabell’ and ‘Boxer’ were tested. The severity of diseases and the value of the area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) were calculated, obtained data was processed by analysis of variance. Pure cultures of pathogens were obtained and pathogens were identified according to their cultural features. Development of diseases started at the stage of flowering and continued until ripening. The most important disease was leaf blotch. Tendencies of diseases development were similar for all tested varieties; however, ‘Laura’ was significantly more susceptible to leaf blotch. Pure cultures of pathogens were obtained from damaged leaf tissues. The obtained isolates were divided into two groups according to their morphological feature s. Colonies of Botrytis were white, the medium was not coloured, and typical signs (black sclerotia) of the pathogen were found. Colonies of Alternaria were grey, the medium was olive- grey, and typical conidia developed in pure culture s. Further investigations are needed to identify the species of pathogens and harmfulness of diseases under conditions of Latvia.

The aim of this study was to assess the level of somatic cell score (SCS) in milk of Latvian brown cow breed and determine the effect that it shows on cow productivity and functional longevity. Data was obtained from 783 Latvian brown breed cows within 83 dairy farms in all Latvian regions. Cows ending at least first lactation were included in data base. Data was obtained from the Latvian data centre. Milk productivity was expressed as energy corrected milk (ECM) yield in one productive life day and one life day. Functional longevity was defined as the number of days from the first calving to culling, death, or censoring. First lactation average somatic cell score was distributed in five different groups. Significant difference between cow longevity traits and productivity, between groups with less than 1 SCS in milk occurred. In this group average lifespan for cows was 2395 days and average lifetime milk yield was 19105.9 kg ECM.

All possible sources of nitrogen available for crops before decision is made for the use of commercial fertilisers is necessary according to the requirements of Nitrate directive and adjustment documents regulating fertiliser use planning. Soil together with crop residues is one of nitrogen supplying sources, but quantifying amounts which could be released in plant available form and take part in yield formation by numerous reasons are difficult. Indirect soil nitrogen supply assessment could be derived from data obtained in field experiments where no-fertiliser-plot was used. Nitrogen off-take in this plot shows amount of nitrogen crops are able to obtain from soil and crop residues pool. In field conditions such factors were developed for winter rye and wheat, spring wheat and barley, winter and spring rape, as well as potatoes, and are based on 72 field experiments performed in Latvia within the 5 year (2008 – 2012) period. Share of soil nitrogen sources was also calculated for situations when crops were supplied with different nitrogen fertiliser amounts.

Winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is the major field crop grown in Latvia. Gluten quantity and quality are important indices for technological processing of wheat. Field experiments with winter wheat cultivars ‘Bussard’ and ‘Zentos’ using four nitrogen top-dressing rates (N60, N90, N120 and N150) were carried out at the Study and Research farm „Peterlauki” of Latvia University of Agriculture in 2009/2010, 2010/2011 and 2011/2012. The objective of this study was to determine year (Y) and nitrogen fertilizer (N) effect for two winter wheat cultivars on wet gluten content and gluten quality. Year, nitrogen fertilizer and year × N-fertilizer interaction had a significant effect on wet gluten content and quality. Significant negative correlation was determined between grain gluten content and gluten index only for cultivar ‘Zentos’ (r = –0.765).