The economics of the tree plantation crops is summarized in this paper. Aleurites spp. cultivation gives good economic returns. However, the end product of this crop is an oil which is particularly used in industries. Therefore, it is highly dependent on external market forces. At present, most requirement of this oil is met from imports. This also necessitates that the cost of production should be minimal to warrant a competitive price. Poor infrastructure and hilly terrains put these traditional farmers at a disadvantage vis-a-vis their counterparts elsewhere. Still, Aleurites spp. had a good economic potential and support from the government can provide the required impetus to the cultivation of this crop. It can provide an alternative livelihood to shifting cultivators not only in Mizoram but in other states as well where agroclimatic conditions favor the growth of this tree. On Livistonia jenkinsiana, at present, the produce has a small market which can possibly expand in terms of its demand. However, large market expansion is impossible as the leaves must compete with modern house building materials. Thus, it can provide an alternative to shifting cultivation only to a limited extent. Intervention in terms of value addition and market expansion is desirable. Thysanolaena maxima, on the other hand, has a high benefit cost ratio and very good market, processing and value addition facilities have also come up in nearby lowland trading centers. As a result, T. maxima cultivation is expanding rapidly. Even without any external intervention, the farmers are getting good returns. In villages where the farmers have taken up the cultivation of this crop, within 10-15 years it has almost completely occupied all the lands previously used for shifting cultivation. T.maxima had low starting cost and quick returns (on the second year). The other two species have high cost on the first three years. In particular, Aleurites can give the highest income over six years

Forest mineral soil is one of the terrestrial carbon pools, and changes in forest management practices can affect the carbon stock in forest soil. The purpose of the study is to estimate temporal fertilization impact on mineral soil organic carbon stock, depending on fertilizers applied, forest stand type, different dominant tree species of the stands. Coniferous and birch forest stands with mineral soil in the central and eastern part of Latvia were selected for the experiment. The fertilizers used were wood ash and nitrogen containing mineral fertilizer. No significant differences in organic carbon stock in O horizon were detected 2–5 years after fertilization. A tendency of smaller organic carbon stock in upper mineral soil layers (0–10 cm, 10–20 cm) was found in most part of objects. Significantly smaller organic carbon stock was found in upper mineral soil layers (0–10 cm and 10–20 cm) in birch stands with wet mineral soil treated with ammonium nitrate if compared to the control plots, possibly due to a different soil moisture regime of forest stands. The positive and significant correlations between soil organic carbon and nitrogen stocks were found in most part of the objects.

In the celebration of the Annual 25th International Scientific Conference “Research for Rural Development 2019ˮ held at the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, in Jelgava, from 15 to 17 May, participants with different backgrounds from 12 countries did 156 presentations, enjoyed welcome dinner with Latvian folk songs and dances as well as tasted a special cake. During a social programme of the conference, the participants visited a malt production plant, Rundāle palace and had farewell lunch. In the retrospect, four months later, we consider the Conference a great success in terms of interdisciplinary studies and networking opportunities. The sessions of the conference were structured so as to give all participants the opportunity to contribute to the primary purpose of the conference, which is discussion of important current issues facing rural development. The interdisciplinary proceedings of the Annual 25th International Scientific Conference “Research for Rural Development 2019ˮ (two volumes since 2010) are intended for academics, students and professionals. The subjects covered by those issues are as follows: crop production, animal breeding, agricultural engineering, agrarian and regional economics, food sciences, veterinary medicine, forestry, wood processing, water management, environmental engineering, information and communication technologies.