During the last decade economy of Latvia has experienced a decrease, crises and also depression. Further development process of Latvia could lead to a rapid economical boom. The application of scientific researches into the development of nationaly economy of Latvia is one of the important aspects. Though the globalisation and commercalisation of scientific researches must be taken into account as well. Science development is opening wide range of possibilitities for research perfection. Most of the Latvian, Lithuanian and Slovakian entrepreneurs are 30-40 years old, who suddenly appeared in the circumstances of conventionally free economy in their twenties.

This paper deals with the results of focus group discussions concerning the Baltic Pulp project carried out among inhabitants of Jekabpils district in February and March 2001. Group discussions were a base for qualitative analysis where differences between opinion within different social groups had been fixed. This gives an insight into opinions as well as suggestions concerning ecological, economical and social factors, connected to the planned pulp mill.

The effect of different fertilizer backgrounds on the potato yield and its chemical composition of different varieties, destined for processing into chips, was investigated at the Elmininkai Research Station of the Lithuanian Institute of Agriculture in 2000. The investigation showed, that potato tuber yield depended on fertilization and genetic characteristics of the potato variety. The most productive potatoes of the following varieties were: early Voke (20,6-36,0) t ha*[-1) and medium late Saturna (27,0-35,4 t ha*[-1)).

One of the main preconditions for an economical milk production is a balanced cow feeding that contains high quality grass forage. Chemical composition of cocksfoot forage during vegetation was investigated at the Research Centre "Sigra" in the Biochemical laboratory of the Latvia University of Agriculture. Changes in the content of crude protein, NEL MJ kg*[-1) of DM, NDF, ADF and DM digestibility were determined. The chemical composition of grass forage depends on many factors, the most significant of which is the harwesting time. The feeding value of the cocksfoot grass decreases during its growing stages as the content of fibre increases and becomes lignified.

In 1999-2000 the field trials with spring wheat 'Munk' on optimisation of a nitrogen fertilizers were established at the Skriveri Research Centre of the Latvia University of Agriculture. The field trials were conducted on two different kinds of Luvisol soil: loam and loamy sand. As the influence of the previous crops-grass, grain and potatoes on efficiency of different (0; 50; 100; 150; 200; 250 kg ha*[-1)) nitrogen fertilizers was investigated. Is stated, that as well as predecessor, and mechanical structure of soil considerably influence efficiency of use of ammonium saltpetre by spring wheat. Some relevant soil properties at the beginning of the experiment were: in loam pH (KCl) 6.3; available phosphorus (DL-method) 100 mg P2O5 kg*[-1), available potassium (DL-method) 135 mg K2O kg*[-1); and soil organic matter (Tyurin's method) 2.3% in sandy loam pH (KCL) - 5.7; available phosphorus - 142 mg P2O5 kg*[-1); available potassium - 92 mg K2) kg(-1); and soil organic matter - 2.2%. The data mathematical processing was done using the General Linear Model criterion Tukey of the program SPSS.

The paper reports on annual pine increment dynamics during the period of last 30 years in the Vesetnieki Station of Permanent Ecological Research with a different drainage level: transitional bog, tree stand between the drainage ditches, tree stand adjacent to ditch. The increment of basal area of annual rings has been found to be considerably higher in the site adjacent to ditch with the most intensive drainage level. The increment of annual rings of individual trees proved to be non-synchronic, therefore trees can be suggested to have different response to have different response to the influence of the same meteorological factors (amount of precipitation, for example). The annual increment data for the last four years (1997-2000) have been compared to the results of biogenous substance circulation measurements during the given period.

More and more people looking for healthy foods. Because researchers in nourishment to look for new possibilities in breadmaking. One of the possibilities is to substitute wheat flour by oat or buckwheat flour in bread products. Bread quality is characterized by sensory properties: taste, smell, flavour and texture. Hardiness, elasticity and gumminess are important indices of bread texture. The purpose of our work is to determine the changes in the bread texture of mix flour sample. Samples were prepared to substitute wheat at 10% and 15% or by at 10% and 25%. The wheat flour was used as a control. The experiments were made in the pilot Laboratory of I.A.T.A. in Spain, using AACC methods. Output data show that substitution buckwheat flour has improved the texture of bread, but substitution of oat flour has impaired the properties of texture.

The study deals with the rural landscape management in Latvia and presents a survey of the current situation in landscape planning and nature protection. It also gives a brief theoretical description of the landscape concept and its development and management. Impact of agriculture, forestry and rural tourism on landscape is analysed through the view on the state politics in these spheres. The author evaluates current situation in environmental politics, informs about environmental law, nature protection and preservation system and spatial planning. The author also draws conslusions and offers her suggestions how to improve the landscape management system basing on comparison between the current situation in landscape management and goals set by the national environment conservation plan (1995).

Salmon (Salmo salar L.) is grown and released in the estuaries in Latvia from which it goes to the feeding areas in the Baltic Sea. The research summaries data about clinical characteristics of fin necrosis and its prevalence in Latvian hatcheries before the smolt stage (complicated physiological, biochemical and morphophysiological changes resulting in migration flight). Clinically expressed fin necrosis was observed in 92.7-97.4% cases.