This paper analyses food consumption in rural households of forest zones. Based on a panel survey of 80 households in Cameroon, expenditure-elasticities of demand for roots and tubers are estimated and compared with those of other staples. Yam and cassava are the two most important root and tuber crops grown in Africa. The expenditure elasticity estimates for yam revealed that the domestic market potentials are high in forest zone for this crop, while in the case of cassava, it was established that the extent to which the potential market will be expanded, would depend on which degree the quality of the dry products can be improved

The content of reducing sugars can be 30% higher if modified amylase is added to scald. Investigations were carried out with the rye-flour and fine flour scald. Photometrical method was used as a standard method for the determination of reducing sugars. Enzymes were inactvated using the advanced method. Results show, that the amount of reducing sugars is 1.8% lower in rye-flour and 2.1% lower in fine flour compare to the results obtained using the standard method.

In plot trials, seeded in a pure stand without a cover crop, tetraploid red clover varieties bred at Jogeva - 'Varte' (early) and 'Ilte' (late), outyielded the diploid standard varieties in crude protein yield at optimal harvest schedule by 30.8% as an average of two production years (the yields 2255 and 1724 kg ha*[-1), respectively) and 14.9% (the yields 2073 and 1804 kg ha*[-1), respectively), by 26.3% as an average of three production years (the yields 2254 and 1785 kg ha*[-1), respectively) and 28.4% (the yields 2173 and 1693 kg ha*[-1), respectively). Considering the crude protein content of dry matter and crude protein yield, a three-cut harvesting regime should be applied in early tetraploid red clover varieties to attain the best result. Then the first cut should be taken at the budding stage, the second at early bloom of regrowth and the third cut prior to the commencement of night frosts. The late tetraploid red clover varieties should be harvested twice-the first cut at the budding stage and the second cut prior to the first night frosts. The larger crude protein yield of tetraploid varieties was caused mainly by their higher dry matter yield; it was affected to a lesser extent by the crude protein content of dry matter. Yet, the tetraploid varieties exceeded in majority of harvest times the diploid varieties in dry matter's crude protein content but the excess was mainly insignificant.

Milk quality analyses were carried out at the Department of Veterinary Medicine of the LUA Research Centre "Sigra". The total amount of investigated samples was 140, of which 81.4% proved to be appropriate for extra and first class milk, but 18.6% were unqualitative. The total number of microorganisms ranged from 8000 to 20,000,000, but the number of somatic cells from 1000 to 4,068,000 in 1 ml of milk. Coagulase - positive Staphylococcus aureus were isolated in 8 cases or 5.7%. Coagulase - negative Staphylococcus were isolated in 31 cases or 22.1%. Using the BBL Crystal Indentification System for Gram-Positive microorganisms, four species of microorganisms Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus intermedius, Micrococcus sedentarius and Micrococcus luteus were identified which are building various colonies on Baird-Parker Agar.

More than 17,5% of Latvian agricultural land is abondoned, therefore effective use of this land is a significant issue in national economics. One of the alternatives of how to use abandoned agricultural land is its afforestation by birch. The present research is based on the Scandinavian experience. Calculations have been made on the necessary investments and management costs. The recovery and possible impact on price changes in raw birch materials are analysed as well.

Problems in hulless barley growing are caused by a low germination ability and emergence. Grain quality for feed and food are influenced by threshability and infection with fungal diseases. The aim of experiments was to investigate the possible hulless barley seed and grain quality problems under Latvia's conditions. Germination, emergence, test weight, 1000 grain weight and threshability of 77 hulless barley genotypes of diverse origin were determined and compared to hulled control varieties. Correlation between hulless barley germination, grain germ damage and grain infection with Fusarium, Helmintosporium and Penicillum was analyzed. The seed material structure (content of grains with damaged germ, broken grains and grains with undetached hulls) of 5 hulless barley genotypes was determined.

Weather conditions in Latvia are very favourable for the development of potato late blight caused by Phytophthora infestans (Mont) de Bary. The control of potato late blight can be performed using different approaches: standardised technology, prognoses of the first infection and prognoses of the progress of disease development. The negative prognosis model Negfry is based on the last two mentioned above. For the control of potato late blight in Latvia mainly has been used - standardised technology. The first field treatment was made during the row closing or according to prognoses. Regular treatments were made each 8-14 days. The use of NegFry model started in Latvia in 1998. Local varieties and weather data have been used for the trial. For the control of potato late blight in field trials standartised fungicide application was compared with the NegFry model and the untreated variant. The major task of the use of the model is possibility to reduce the number of fungicide treatments. The NegFry model helps to realise an integrated plant protection system, which decreases fungicide application and increases economical efficiency.

By using city of Jelgava and its separate districts as an example, the article investigates the practical applicability of some theoretic investigations related to the life in cities.