Black point of wheat grains was often observed during wheat harvest during this summer (2018). Several grain producers asked to identify reasons and evaluate harmfulness of this disease. Black point of wheat grains can be caused by different microorganisms, mainly fungi. It is a widespread disease, but its harmfulness is not estimated. The aim of this study was to identify causal agents of black point. Grains of spring wheat cultivar ‘Granny’ from production field were used for examination. Fungi were isolated on the Potato dextrose agar and identified accordingly with morphological traits of colonies and spores’ sizes. Black point was caused by fungi from genera Alternaria, Cladosporium, Bipolaris, Fusarium and Epicoccum. Further investigations are necessary to evaluate impact of this disease on grain germination ability and health of seedlings.

In the context of climate change, it is important to look for alternative beef cattle fattening methods which could at least replace intensive cattle fattening. Fattening with grass forage could be useful, but not all beef cattle breeds are suitable for such type of fattening. The aim of this study was to compare Angus and Hereford purebred bulls’ fattening and slaughter results when grass forage was used for fattening. The results show that Angus bulls reached better fattening results in a shorter period. Average age before slaughter was 558±4.6 days with live weight 541.3±9.82 kg. They achieved highest live weight and carcass weight gain from birth to slaughter (904.7±20.76 g dE-1 and 506.9±13.80 g dE-1, respectively). Carcass conformation score in muscle development was higher for Angus bulls (2.8±0.10 points), but Hereford bulls showed slightly better fat score (2.2±0.08 points).

The number of potato varieties in Latvia’s market is very extensive, and the choice of the growers depends on potato production target. The quality of tubers is the priority for table potato varieties, as well as for different kinds of processing (e. g., potato crisps and starch). Common potato tuber diseases in Latvia are common scab caused by bacteria Streptomyces scabies, black scab caused by Rhizoctonia solani, black dot caused by Colletotrichum coccodes, and silver scab caused by Helminthosporium solani. The aim of this research was to detect the occurrence of potato tuber diseases depending of variety. Tubers from 35 different potato varieties were collected from the reference field of “Latfood Agro” Ltd in October 2017, and were analysed after a three-month storage. The incidence and severity of tuber diseases were calculated. Common scab, black dot, and silver scab were dominant tuber diseases. The incidence varied from 0 to 100% depending on diseases and varieties. The severity of common scab for three varieties – ‘Carolus’, ‘Madeleine’, and ‘Agria’ – exceeded 3 points, which means that 5.1–10% of the surface of potato tubers exhibited disease symptoms. The severity of black dot and silver scab did not exceed 2 points. Black scab was observed only in some cases. Powdery scab caused by Spongospora subterranea was observed for two varieties: ‘Blue Congo’ and ‘Rotte Emalie’.

Faba beans (also called field beans, broad beans, fava beans), which are a good source of protein, are mainly grown for seed production and are used for food and for animal feed. Usually, faba beans are included in crop rotation systems to improve soil fertility. Leaf spot caused by Botrytis spp. is the dominant faba bean disease in Latvia. Leaf spots caused by Alternaria/Stemphylium and Didymella fabae, and rust caused by Uromyces viciae-fabae are observed almost every year. In 2017, also downy mildew caused by Peronospora viciae was observed. The aim of the present study was to investigate the development of faba bean diseases depending on varieties (‘Laura’, ‘Boxer’, ‘Isabell’) and sowing time (April 21, April 29, May 8). Observations were carried out at the Research and Study farm “Peterlauki” of the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies in 2018. Disease severity (0–9 point scale) on leaves was observed after the appearance of first symptoms till the end of vegetation season, and the values of AUDPC were calculated. In 2018, leaf spot caused by Botrytis spp. was the dominant disease and its development was dependent on varieties and the sowing time (p is less than 0.001). The incidence of leaf spot caused by Stemphylium spp. was higher than the incidence of leaf spot caused by Alternaria spp. Rust was observed only at the end of growing season (BBCH 80) – on beans sown in May.

Latvian Blue (LZ) is one of two dairy cow breeds that is included in the conservation programme of local genetic resources. The aim of the study was to analyse blood (%) of Latvian Blue cows born in different years. In the study, animals born between years 2003 and 2017 were used, a total of 855 animals. Analysed animals were divided in five groups depending on the 1st and 2nd biggest percentage of different breed’s blood (percentage of blood is less than 25%, from 25.01 to 37.50%, from 37.51 to 50.00%, from 50.01 to 75.00% and more than 75.01%). The majority of analysed cows (n=302) had 37.51–50.00%, and 204 cows had 50.01 to 75.00% LZ breed blood. Only three cows had LZ breed blood percentage more than 75.01%. In Latvia, none purebred LZ cow is find. In LZ genetic resources’ population, the largest proportion of blood, other than Latvian Blue, is that of Lithuanian Grey, Holstein Black and White, Latvian Brown and Tyrol Grey. The second largest blood group is more diverse. Only 23 of analysed LZ breed cows (2.7%) had the blood of two different breeds, the rest of animals had the blood of three and more different cow breeds. With the targeted work preserving LZ breed, breeding specialists have succeeded in raising the percentage of LZ breed blood in new animal generation.

As one of the main challenges in dairy farming is to ensure the economic benefit from single cow, it is important to find out the relationships between those factors and cow longevity traits. The aim of our study was to evaluate the relationships between different udder conformation traits and cow longevity in voluntary milking system. Data about 112 culled Holstein Black and White breed cows of LLU Research and Study Farm “Vecauce” voluntary milking system group was included in the study. Data was collected from the “Agricultural Data Centre”. In the analysed group, the average lifespan was 1824.2±52.06 days in which 30317.9±1280.25 kg milk was obtained. The udder conformation traits that showed significant (p is less than 0.05) impact on cow longevity traits were udder depth, fore udder attachment, as well as rear teat placement and teat length. Cows that characterized with the teat length and rear teat placement optimal evaluation scores, had significantly (p is less than 0.05) shorter lifespan than cows with longer and widely positioned teat (1790.9±61.48 and 1794.6±91.80 days, accordingly). Cows with rear teat placement and teat length evaluated with 6–9 linear score points characterized with significantly higher lifetime and life day milk yield (31120.2±2530.73 kg and 16.3±0.79 kg in rear teat placement group and 33043.2±2236.81 kg and 16.7±0.58 kg in teat length group). The udder that is positioned closer to cows body showed positive impact not only on cow lifespan, but also on their lifetime and life day milk yield.

It is necessary to provide proper planting material for the desert melons (Cucumis melo L.). The research was carried out at the Botanical Garden of Latvia University. Latgale’s melon line 4(3) seeds were sown in vegetation pots in greenhouse in 2018. The main objective was to observe the morphological characteristics of Latgale’s melon line 4(3). Results indicated on the diversity: genetic material of line 4(3) was heterogeneous. Leaf plate form varied between 1 st and 2nd level branches, melon blooming features and fruit characteristics varied between plants.

The aim of the research was to explore the influence of organic mulch on the yield and quality of carrots (Daucus carota L.) and beets (Beta vulgaris f. rubra L.). The open field experiment was carried out in Jelgava district, Glūda civil parish, “Tutiķi”. Three types of organic mulch (straw, dried grass, peat, as well as the variant without mulch as control) were used in this research. Weeding and weed registration was done four times per growing period. Significant differences in the weed control effect among variants with different mulch materials (p is less than 0.05) were established. Significant differences of the yield of carrots and beets were not observed depending on used organic mulch (p is less than 0.05). It was observed, that the highest yield of carrots was in variant where peat mulch was used, but that of beets – in variant where straw mulch was used. Quality of carrots and beets did not differ significantly depending on the organic mulch variant used. Most of standard category carrots were obtained in the control variant, while beets – in the variants with straw and dried grass mulch.

The task of Latvian wheat breeders is to create new varieties, suitable for the Baltic climatic conditions, high yielding, resistant to lodging and diseases, with grain quality appropriate for producers. The winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) variety ‘Brencis’ (‘Pamjati Fedina’/’Pegassos’) was developed at Institute of Agricultural Resources and Economics Stende Research Centre (2001 to 2015) as a result of hybridization and repeated selection. Originators are Vija Strazdiņa, Valentīna Fetere and Maija Ceraukste. The variety is characterized with good winter hardiness (7–9 point), growing period 225 days (calculating from 1 January), and average yield 9.64 t haE-1. Grain quality is suitable for food production – protein content is 124 g kgE-1, gluten content 250 g kgE-1, Zeleny index 47.8, falling number 285 s. Average plant height of variety ‘Brencis’ is 87 cm, resistance to lodging is high (9 point), but resistance to main leaf diseases is moderate. The variety is registered in Latvian Catalogue of Plant Varieties from 2018.