The traditional way of dealing with manure - storage, transportation, spreading in the fields - is currently applied very successfully, but is economically very expensive. People complain about very unpleasant smells, which are caused by gasses (indole, merkaptanas, hydrogen sulphide, ammonia) being released from the manure. Scientists are searching for other ways of handling manure which try to convert it to less harmful substances, reduce its odour and at the same time make it thicker by extracting its water content. The aim of our work was to evaluate the composition of slurry after processing it mechanically, and to test the effectiveness of the application of new coagulants and flocculants on its clarification. Fresh liquid manure from 'Sajas' pig complex(Kelme district) and the liquid manure treated in biogas reactors from Lekėčiai pig complex (Šakiai district) was used for research (2006-2008). Anionic coagulants such as aluminium chloride (Al2Cl), ferrous chloride (Fe2Cl) and pollycrilamide cationic flocculant 'Magnofloc 1011' were applied to clarify manure. 40-44% of organic pollutants can be removed from the aerated sewage under constant processing by coagulants and flocculants. The best result in pollutant removal from sewage is achieved when it is processed with 1.5 kg mE-3 norm of aluminium saline (AlCl) and 3.0 g mE-3 norm of flocculant 'Magnofloc 1011'.

Performing biofuel use studies, a large number of parameters that characterize engine operation under different conditions and with different fuel mixtures have to be identified. The real driving conditions are usually simulated by driving cycles on a laboratory chassis dynamometer. There are two major categories of driving cycles: legislative and non-legislative. From the viewpoint of cycle formation there are also two ways. One is composed of various driving modes of constant acceleration, deceleration and speed, and is referred to as modal or polygonal. The other type is derived from actual driving data and is called as 'real world' cycle. There is a strong agreement among researchers that driving characteristics of each city are unique because of different vehicle fleet composition, driving behaviour and road network topography. It is therefore better to develop own driving cycles than using driving cycles developed elsewhere. The aim of this investigation is to develop driving cycles or models for dynamometer control software corresponding to peculiarities of Latvia. The procedure for cycle development and fuel consumption and exhaust emissions measurement was worked out. Using real driving data on the Jelgava streets, models simulating driving in different urban areas were constructed. The model quality was determined using vehicle driving parameters and fuel consumption measurement results from both the road and laboratory tests. Since the obtained data coincidence of all the parameters exceeded 98%, the elaborated cycles can be used for the biofuel use efficiency determination.

The dietary fibre is edible parts of plants' carbohydrates that are resistant to digestion in human small intestine. Diets naturally rich in dietary fibre support to prevent constipation, improve gastrointestinal health, glucose tolerance and the insulin response, and reduce the risk of colon cancer, hyperlipidemia, hypertension and other coronary heart disease risk factors. About 45% of the dietary fibre intake comes from grains and grain mixtures. In Latvia, there are neither data, nor investigations of the dietary fibre content in grain products during processing and in the end products in which manufacturers and consumers are interested. The aim of this paper was an approval of dietary fibre determination methodology by using analytical equipment the Full option science system (FOS) Analytical Fibertec E 1023. The dietary fibre determination experiments were carried out in the Research Laboratory of the Department of Food Technology at the Latvia University of Agriculture in 2009. The Total Dietary Fibre (TDF) content was analyzed in the samples of rye whole grain flour, rye whole grain bread, and wheat biscuit. Experiments showed that the fibre content in rye whole grain flour is 13.8 g 100 gE-1, in rye whole grain bread - 11.6 g 100 gE-1, and in the wheat biscuit - 1.9 g 100 gE-1. Reached data are comparable with results of other researchers' data.

Willows (Salix sp.) and reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinecea L.) (RCG) are fast growing perennial energy crop and potential cultures for recovering of cutaway peat lands. Cut away peat land soils are characterized by high acidity (pHKCl 2-3), high NH4**+1, and lack of P and K. Wood ash could be good liming agent and resource of potassium. Waste water sewage sludge (WWSS) compost is effective fertilizer and source of phosphorus. The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of application of WWSS compost and wood ash fertilizers of different doses on ingrown of willow cuttings and RCG in potted cultures. The wood ash addition of 10 g lE-1 and 20 g lE-1 to WWSS compost mix with peat from used query in proportions 1:1 and 4:1 were tested. The length of shoots and dry mass of shoots and roots were assessed to determine the effect of fertilization on growth of crops. Chemical analyses of growing media were performed to determine the content of main nutrient elements and pHKCl changes during season. The positive effect of fertilization on growth of crops was observed - an optimum dose for willows is (10 g lE-1) equivalent to 10 tDM haE-1 wood ash with mix of WWSS compost with peat. RCG produces more biomass in growing media containing largest doses of wood ash and WWSS compost premix. The willows produced bigger amount of biomass and accumulated more nutrients from growing media than RCG.

The characteristics of the new potato cyst nematode (Globodera rostochiensis, pathotype RO1) resistant, medium ripening potato variety ‘Teele’ (‘Cinja’ ´ ‘Paola’) developed at the Estonian Crop Research Institute (ECRI) is discussed in this paper. The variety ‘Teele’ was included in Estonian and European Variety List in 2013.The variety ‘Teele’ passed the preliminary, dynamic and final trials in 2008 - 2012 at the ECRI, where it was compared with standard varieties ‘Maret’ (early), ‘Piret’ (medium) and ‘Anti’ (late). The official trials in Estonia and the technical examination (DUS test) in Czech Republic were carried out in 2011 – 2012. Potato cyst nematode (Ro1) and wart (Synchytrium endobioticum (Schilbersky) pathotype 1 (D 1)) resistance of the new variety were determined in Poland in the Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute. Tuber yield and tuber weight of the variety ‘Teele’ were equal to ‘Maret’ and ‘Anti’ but higher than ‘Piret’. The number of tubers per plant was equal in all standard varieties. Tuber yield and yield of marketable tubers of dynamic trials present the medium ripening of the variety ‘Teele’. The potato variety ‘Teele’ had good quality characteristics (shallow eyes, regular shape) and good culinary traits of table potato variety. It had a relatively good resistance to late blight (Phytophthora infestans) (field resistance), overcoming standard varieties ‘Maret’ and ‘Piret’.

The objective of the study was to investigate the microbiological content of cow (Bos primigenius) milk in Latvian organic farms according to season and herd size with a purpose to detect their impact on the distribution of mastitis causing pathogens in milk. Samples were collected in 14 organic dairy farms of Latvia, 4 times through 2012: in winter, autumn, spring and summer period. Raw milk samples (n=564) obtained from cow composite milk were studied. The samples were divided into three groups in accordance with the number of cows in the cow-shed: A (3-30), B (31-60) and C (61-124). The total colony count (TTC) and the isolation of mastitis causing bacteria were analysed using standard methods. Bacterial growth occurred in 90.4% of samples. Isolated microorganisms belonged to 35 species, and the following bacteria were the most prevalent agent, including Coagulase negative staphylococci in 29.4%, Staphylococcus aureus in 24.1%, Kocuria kristinae in 12.9%, and Enterobacteriaceae spp. in 10.3% out of 564 milk samples. Depending on the season, the average number of TCC was the lowest in summer (4.66 ± 4.01 log10 CFU mLE-1), moderately higher in spring and winter (4.72 ± 4.18 and 4.82 ± 3.54 log10 CFU mLE-1, respectively), but significantly higher in autumn (5.43 ± 4.80 log10 CFU mL-E1). Coliforms were not isolated from group A herds instead of B (3.1%) and C (4.6%). Occurrence of Staphylococcus aureus was noticeably higher in B (19.1%) and C (20.8%) than in A (12.6%) herds. Most of group A herds met the milk quality requirements, while group C herds produced more contaminated milk.

In Latvia, Picea abies and Pinus sylvestris as the commercially most valuable species make more than half of all woodlands. It has been found that about 23% of spruce stands are infected by root rot, caused predominantly by fungal pathogen Heterobasidion annosum s.l. To restrict the spread of root rot in coniferous forests of Latvia, the Joint Stock Company ''Latvijas valsts meži'' collaborated with Latvian State Forest Research Institute ''Silava'' in 2006 and launched a project for testing the Rotstop biological preparation, containing a suspension of Phlebiopsis gigantea spores. This project had a general task to accomplish Rotstop using technology approbation in Latvia and develop control system. Starting with the year 2008, preparation was used for stump treatment during thinning operations. When analysing the field data, a conclusion made in other studies was confirmed - P. gigantea colonizes pinewood more intensively even in case of improper stump treatment. It implies that the quality of stump treatment is decisive when using Rotstop for rot control in spruce stands.

Invention of light weight cellular wood material (CWM) with a trade mark of Dendrolight is one of the most important innovations in wood industry of the last decade. Currently CWM has been used as core material for sandwichpanels. These three layer panels are used in furniture industry and have wide non-structural applications. The aim of the research was to define the thermal properties of CWM and evaluate various wall envelopes where solid wood cellular material is used. There were 4 specimens of cellular wood material manufactured with nominal dimensions thickness 120 mm, length and with 600 mm to determine thermal conductivity and thermal transmittance according to standard EN 12667:2002. The specimens were manufactured of four layer 112 mm thick Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) CWM double faced with 4 mm thick high-density fiberboard (HDF). Adhesive used in the bonding process was polivinilacetate Cascol 3353. Each direction (parallel, perpendicular) was represented by two specimens. Common procedure to evaluate the energy efficiency of building envelope is to calculate thermal transmittance in static conditions. The influence of the cellular material orientation to its thermal properties was investigated. Coefficient of thermal conductivity was determined for both material directions of CWM (l0 =0.0977 W∙m-1∙K-1 l90=0.148 W∙m-1∙K-1), combining the test method of EN 12667:2002 and calculation method of standard EN 6946:2008. To calculate thermal transmittance of various wall envelopes calculation software in JavaScript environment was created. Various compositions of external walls were assessed, thermal transmittance of these structures were calculated according to standard EN 6946:2008.

Bioethanol can be used for food production and to partially replace fossil fuel. Bioethanol is mainly produced from renewable biomass that contains sugars, starch or lignocellulose. The main raw materials for production of bioethanol are cereals, maize (Zea mays), sugarbeets (Beta vulgaris sacccharifera) and other plant species. During the trial that took place in State Stende Cereals Breeding Institute during a three year period (from 2009/2010 to 2011/2012) we examined the suitability of grain from winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), triticale (×Triticosecale Wittm) and rye (Secale cereale L.) for the production of bioethanol. Three varieties of each species were used in the trial. During the trial period the grain yield, the ethanol outcome (L tE-1) and the ethanol yield (L haE-1) were determined. It was established that during three years wheat and triticale provided the highest starch content (more than 700 g kgE-1) of the grain as well as the highest ethanol outcome (L tE-1). These species provided both high grain yield (more than 9 t haE-1 on average) and the highest ethanol yield (3300 – 4665 L haE-1). The choice of variety was also important as both the grain starch content and the grain yield depend on the genotype of the variety.

The experiment was carried out in the Latvia University of Agriculture. The objectives of this research were to study changes of bean (Phaseolus) protein fractions occurring under the thermal treatment conditions and determine the critical temperature for Maillard reactions in beans. In these reactions lignified protein is made from amino acids and sugars, and it decreases the nutrition value of the food. If lignified protein exceeds 50% of crude protein content in food, then food is considered unsuitable for daily diet. In this experiment beans were milled and then heated at 50 ± 3 °C, 75 ± 3 °C, 100 ± 3 °C, 125 ± 3 °C and 150 ± 3 °C temperature in the drying oven for 20 h. As a control sample non heated beans were used, and they all were kept in a plastic jar at room temperature (20 ± 1 °C). Dry matter, crude protein, starch, sugar and lignified protein content were determined in heated beans and control samples. No significant changes of crude protein content were observed due to thermal treatment. It was from 24.3 ± 0.3 g 100 g-1 of dry matter. Similarly, no significant changes were observed in starch content, as it stayed averagely 47.1 ± 0.2 g 100 g-1 of dry matter. Medium high correlation was observed (0.64) between lignified protein content and sugar content for in different temperature treated beans. Lignified protein showed exponential growth if the samples were heated at a temperature of 100 ± 3 °C and higher, giving exponential change.