The aim of this research was to compare effects of fertilization with various ratios of N, P and K (N:P:K) on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) infection in roots of Dactylis glomerata in Ca-carbonate (limed) and non-limed meadow plots at the Research Centre of Skriveri, Latvia University of Agriculture. Dactylis glomerata roots were excavated from variously fertilizer plots, a minimum 3 root samples per plot and analysed for two consecutive years. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi infection rates were estimated according to accepted scoring tables used for determination of AMF colonization.

A study was conducted to determine efficiency of an organic acids additive on pigs metabolic processes and diggestive tract microflora. The pigs of control group were fed without an organic acids additive. The feed of the trial group piglets contained 6 kg of organic acids additive per tonne feed, for starter pigs - 4 kg per tonne feed, for finished pigs - 3 kg per tonne feed. The study indicated that at the age of 130 days, pig mass in the trial group was 54.08 kg an average, but in the control group - 51.06 kg, which showed that pigs from the trial group had by 6% higher average mass than in the control group (p is less than 0.005). At the age of 160 days, pig mass in the trial group was an average 94.3 kg, in the control group - 90.63 kg; pigs from the trial group had by 4% higher mass than in the control group (p is less than 0.005). Feed consumption for the trial group was by 1% less than in the control group. Average daily gain for the trial group was 0.663 kg, which was by 6% more than for the control group pigs (p is less than 0.005). Feed conversion in the trial group was 3.06 kg, but in the control group - 3.275 kg, i.e. 6.4% higher than in the trial group. Analyses of Jejunum microflora showed that use of acidifier additive reduced Mould colony formed units - CFU amount in 1 g of the trial group sample by 6%. Staphylococcus species amount in the trial group was 500 CFU in 1 g of sample, but in the control group - 40000 CFU, i.e. 80 times more. In the trial group, Lactic acid bacteria CFU amount in 1 g of sample was by 6% higher than in the control group. The results of Rectum microflora analyses showed that Staphylococcus species amount in the trial group was 12000 CFU in 1 g of sample, but in the control group it was by 34% higher.

In Latvia, use of unheated cow sheds with lowered environmental temperature is growing. In such circumstances, cooling of the milking equipment washing liquid is more rapid and quality of the washing equipment decreases. However, it may be eliminated by coating the milk and washing liquid piping with heat insulation. A mathematical model of the milking equipment washing liquid by which the end temperature of the washing liquid cooling can be determined is developed. Two types of heat insulation materials are under the trial. Laboratory experiments on cooling of the washing liquid are carried out and the experimental coefficients of the mathematical model are determined.

Theoretical and experimental investigations are carried out to estimating the impact of the plough body working width on its specific draft resistance, as well as the ploughing efficiency. By using analytical correlations derived as a result of theoretical research, a computer algorithm has been worked out for simulating the functions of the plough body and the forces exerted by soil upon the operating parts, as well as its draft resistance. Specific draft resistance of the plough body, energy consumption, as well as labour efficiency and ploughing costs depend considerably on the working width of the body. By increasing it, the energy capacity, specific fuel consumption and expenditure decrease, but labour efficiency increases.

Biodiesel is renewable and environmentally friendly fuel, which can be used as a substitute for diesel in compression ignition (CI) engines. Nowadays it is also successfully used not only in transport sector, but also in commercial construction equipment and space heating. As the production of biodiesel (rapeseed methyl ester RME) is started now and is planned to grow rapidly, it is necessary to investigate biodiesel impact on engine performance and exhaust gas composition. This paper describes results of the investigation the aim of which was to find out the impact of biodiesel and its blends on an engine's dynamical, economical and ecological parameters in laboratory conditions on an engine test bench. The experimental work was done with an XD2P diesel engine in the Motor testing and biofuels laboratory of the Motor Vehicle Institute of Latvia University of Agriculture. The engine was fuelled on fossil diesel, rapeseed methyl ester (RME) and on blends of 5 (5RME) and 35 (35RME) percent RME/diesel fuel. The results indicated that power for biodiesel and blends was lower than with ordinary petrol diesel on average. 7.9% on 100RME and 3.6% on 35RME. The reduction in torque and increase in fuel consumption was observed. Experimental results showed that the addition of RME to diesel can significantly reduce oxides of nitrogen (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), and absorption coefficient.

According to EU Water Framework Directive, anew model of land reclamation management and financing will be developed. Taking into consideration the high vale of state investment required to ensure a steady work of land reclamation systems, it is important to reject the funds allocated on an equality principles and to give preference to the regions where the maintenance, rehabilitation and repair of these structures is more effective. The discussion concerning the allocation of state funds is elaborated in this paper. On the basis of statistical analysis, natural and economical regional differences were evaluated. Four scenarios of the allocation of special subsidies from state budget are submitted for approval. When modelling the financing results based on the regional distribution methodology, the changes in base financing indices are under discussion.

The paper presents study results on nutrient leaching in crop rotation fields where slurry was applied. The studies were carried out within the period of 2001-2003. As the study results have shown, phosphorus (P) concentrations much depend on drainage runoff. Increasing drainage runoff resulted in decreased P concentrations (r=0.7). P leaching also depends on the precipitation amount (r=0.83). Higher precipitation rates resulted in more intensive P leaching. P leaching more depended on the drainage runoff and the type of cultivated crops rather than on fertilization rates. P leaching also depends on the precipitation amount (r=0.83). Higher precipitation rates resulted in more intensive P leaching. P leaching more depended on the drainage runoff and the type of cultivated crops rather than on fertilization rates. P leaching decreased when higher amounts of phosphorus were accumulated in crop yield; the mineralization process of vegetative residuals that were left in the test field enhanced more intensive P leaching. When slurry was applied on crops of the test field, P concentrations never exceeded maximum allowable rates determined in normative documents of the environment of Lithuania. From the point of view of the environment protection, it is more expedient to apply slurry in spring because in this season of the year the leached amount of total P input into the soil is 37.5% less compared to its leached amount when slurry is applied in autumn.

The research paper summarizes the results of the influencing factors of small and medium enterprises development: government's policy, access to short and long term financing with reasonable interest rate, investments, tax system, geographical environment, business environment and infrastructure, experience and knowledge. Most of all the small and medium enterprises development is influenced by the investments but also other factors have very significant role.

The paper is aimed at the assessment of opportunities for the financing of innovative activities in Latgale region. The analysis is based generally on the case of Rezekne. Firstly, the problem is determined - Latgale is the weakest region in Latvia from economical development point of view. Secondly, the overview of the financial resources for innovative activities is given. Finally, the author argues his opinion on necessity to develop innovative business in order to improve the situation in Latgale. One of the most important aspects that hamper Latgale's development is the lack of financial resources. The optimal schemes for the financing of innovative business are offered. The research lead to the conclusion that finances for sustainable development of innovative business could be attracted through the Latgale's small enterprises (SMEs) cooperation with regional higher education institutions (Rezekne Higher Education Institution, Daugavpils University), business support centres and Rezekne Special economical zone structures.

In the article there are used statistical data about Latvia rural private households of the years 2001 and 2003. The distribution of natural households in Latvia countryside is investigated. The possibilities of the use of input-output models in the research of natural rural household economy are investigated. Making use of private household "Galakrogs" input-output tables for the years 1999, 2000, and 2001 published by A.Eglite, corresponding input-output models are compiled and their informative analysis is performed.