After regaining independence the agricultural production in Estonia has undergone a drastic decline. Due to the inadequate application of fertilizers and pesticides, the yield of field crops and grasslands has decreased 1-7 % per year. The balance of nitrogen in the arable soils is negative, particularly respecting fodder crops. At present, in Estonia most of grasslands are practically not fertilized, or they are fertilized in the last order. The amount of nitrogen removed with the yield of fodder crops, cereals and potato are by 45, 20 and 17 kg ha*[-1) higher, respectively, compared with the amounts of N applied to the soil with organic and mineral fertilizers, available for those crops. The effectiveness of nitrogen fertilizers depends largely on weather conditions during the vegetation period and is the lower, the higher is soil humus content. On gleyic and gley soils, whose humus content is higher, the efficiency of nitrogen fertilizers is 2-3 times lower and the agroecological and economic fertilization risks are higher. On sown grasslands, the efficiency of nitrogen fertilizers depends not so much on soil fertility as on soil water supply, humus content and grass sward type. With proper application of fertilizers, use of suitable plant species and varieties, it is possible to increase significantly not only the yield per unit area but also its nutritive value.

The aim of the research was to find out different aspects of food environment at schools, linking them to the economic situation in the regions and comparing those to the tendencies in Riga. The research shows that there is a need for common politics concerning school meals as every schools follows its own practice that mainly depends on social budget of the local government institutions, qualifications of scool personnel and different eating traditions in different regions.

The change from large scale agriculture to private small scale farming has resulted in a severe lack of plant protection means. Fields of Latvia have become more weedy for last four years. This fact shows the necessity for a change in the strategy of weed control. The effect of inexpensive and wide-spread herbicides 2.4-D and MCPA is insignificant in weed control. From 1994 Latvian State Centre of Plant Protection has been studying the occurance of weed species in the Central part of Latvia (Vidzeme), to make use schedules of necessary herbicides. The research was carried out jointly with the Latvia University of Agriculture. During the research carried out from 1997 to 2000, 60 weed species were established, but in all the crop sowings 10 species were predominant. The number of Elymus repens, Myosotis arvensis and Viola arvensis has increased during last four years. In Vidzeme region, from 1997 to 2000, it was stated that soil infestation of weed seeds varies from 4.5 to 11.1 thousand seeds per square metre on the average. Perennial dicot-weeds have shown the lowest variation coefficient, compaered with other weed groups.

It is well known that secretion of gastric acid is regulated neurally by the stimulation of n.vagus and humorally by the activation of histamine H2 receptors in parietal cells. The purpose of the investigation was to clear up neural and humoral regulation mechanisms of gastric acid secretion in the postnatal ontogenesis of calves. Four calves from 5 to 14 weeks of age with chronical fistulae in abomasum have been investigated. Two electrode pH-probe has been used for measures. Atropine sulphate (0,06 mg kg*[-1) IV infusion) has been used to stop function of n.vagus, and cimetidine (0.16 mg kg*[-1) IV infusion) to block humoral regulation. The results clearly show that both, atropine sulphate and cimetidine, demonstrate some blocking influence on the HCL of abomasum in calves of different age.

It is very important to use the exact investment model for energy enterprises. Giant investment is necessary for establishing continued energy systems using renewable energy resources. Demand of the heat energy usually is higher in a winter period compare to the summer time. Program combinations of different heating modus are researched using EnergyPRO.

The article describes present situation in further education of agricultural advisers and agronomists. There are three major challenges in rural and agricultural development today - coverage, sustainability and relevance. Changes in further education and information technologies play the most important role for agricultural advisers. Farmers want to study and get a certificate of agricultural education in order to be able to participate in different projects and acquire the EU structural funds. The article deals with the problem of using the EU structural funds for rural development. Agiculturists need professional advice from agricultural advisers.

Vocational education in all countries provides a specific learning system to their students and students are more motivated to take practical training for their further development. Agriculture-based vocational educational institutions have been facing problems of losing its students since 1998. To promote survival of these schools, a non-agriculture based curriculum was provided. Nowadays, in order to support agriculture-based vocational education, there is a need to do research on the prospects and needs of this type of schooling in Latvia. There is a need for new methods and models of curricula, based on practical needs of students, in order to promote management and marketing skills for future farmers.

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

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