The aroma of coffee is the main quality factor. Compounds with floral, fruity, citrus and sometimes fermented aroma notes are defined as high quality characteristics for the specialty coffee brew. Commercial coffees mostly are at medium roast and the aroma profile is focused on balanced chocolate, caramel, toasted bread and almond bitterness aroma notes. These sensory characteristics set the focus for volatile compound profile analysis by Headspace solidphase microextraction (HS-SPME). The most popular fibres for commercial coffee aroma profile analysis are DVB/ CAR/PDMS, CAR/PDMS, PDMS/DVB and PA. There is limited research done about specialty coffee aroma profile and evaluation of more suitable fibres for solid-phase microextraction. The aim of the research is to evaluate the aroma composition of specialty coffee brews using different SPME fibres. Results demonstrated that CAR/PDMS fibre, compared to other fibres, can extract significantly more volatile compounds with higher peak areas in all chemical compound groups, except phenols. The CAR/PDMS was the only fibre which could detect all 17 important volatile compounds for specialty coffee. In conclusion, from the given research evidence, CAR/PDMS fibre is suggested as the most suitable SPME fibre coating for volatile compound extraction for specialty coffee brew import. The result provides evidence for improved specialty coffee aroma profile analysis by SPME.

Determination of organic acids in honey samples from Latvian market by high-performance liquid chromatography Honey is a naturally sweet product, which is produced by honeybees (Apis mellifera). Honey is a natural source of antioxidants and has been known to mankind since ancient times. Honey contains approximately 200 different compounds. Organic acids can be used as an indicator to detect the freshness, authenticity and acidity of honey. The aim of this research was to determine and quantify organic acids such as oxalic, L-tartaric, D-quinic, L-malic, L-ascorbic, citric, fumaric and succinic in honey samples from Latvian market u sing high-performance liquid chromatography. The chromatographic separation of organic acids was carried out with PerkinElmer C18 (4.6 mm Í 250 mm I.D, particle size 5 mm) analytical column at the temperature of 35 °C in wavelength at 210 nm. The obtained results showed that the analysed honey samples contain L-tartaric, D-quinic, L-malic, L-ascorbic, citric, fumaric and succinic acids. The concentration of these acids was found to be variable. Oxalic acid was not detected in the analysed honey samples. L-tartaric acid was the main acid in all analysed honey samples.

The preservation of local animal breeds is a topical theme in recent years. Latvian Brown (LB) and Latvian Blue (LZ) cow breeds are exhausting and must be preserved. It can be performed by the use of multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET). The difficulties exist in choosing the gene-fond (GF) cows as donors caused by the small number of animals. Twenty-three cows were intended for donor cow’s role from different herds until September 2018, and twenty of them were accepted. Anamnesis, clinical examination, blood morphology (13 parameters) and biochemical indices (19 parameters) were analysed before MO induction. Three cows were rejected because of ovarian cysts or pyometra, negative energy balance (NEB) (glucose is less than 2.3 mmol LE−1 simultaneously with elevated ß-hydroxybutyric acid is greater than 1.4 mmol LE−1) and elevated (p is less than 0.05) number of leukocytes (28.20 x109 LE−1). More than 52.6% of cows had a repeated artificial insemination before the last parturition, and 5.3% of cows had lifeless offspring in the last parturition. The 1st and 2nd lactation cows were healthier than older cows (p is less than 0.05). The amount of albumins, cholesterol, triglycerides and Na, K, P, Cl, Mg was significantly different in donors with and without successfully obtained embryos (p is less than 0.05). In conclusion, not only acceptable clinical health but also the cow metabolic status is a decisive factor for success of MOET.

The aim of this pilot study was to assess whether a single mesenchymal stem cell intra-articular injection in the osteoarthritic joint gives a therapeutic effect. This trial study was made in order to better manage and structure further study on more dogs. Single injections of 3 million mesenchymal stem cell intra-articular injections were made bilaterally in the osteoarthritic elbow joints. The dog was examined before and after monthly stem cell therapy using stance analyser scales to determine the static weight of each limb. Weight balance between forelegs improved, but not significantly (p is greater than 0.05). A radiographic examination was made for both elbow joints before stem cell therapy and the second and fifth month thereafter. Calculations of sub-trochlear sclerosis in percentage were made using mediolateral projections. Sub-trochlear sclerosis in percentage significantly decreased (p is less than 0.05) after stem cell therapy in both legs.

The purpose of using electrosurgical devices in veterinary practice is to reduce bleeding during the cut increasing temperature locally, causing coagulation and apoptosis of proteins. There is a lack of data on the extent and depth of these thermal damages and whether these effects on the different tissues are the same. Because of that, the aim of this study was to investigate which of the different electrosurgical devices causes highest heating effect on the skin tissue of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). The research was carried out at the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. It included 50 rabbits, on average 2 years old, clinically healthy, with similar weight and condition. We formed five experimental groups: skin tissue cut with CO2 laser (n=10), an electrocoagulator (n=10), a tissue welding device (n=10), a radiofrequency apparatus (n=10) and a scalpel as control group (n=10). In order to evaluate the thermal effects of electrosurgical instruments on tissues, we performed contactless thermography. There were taken 3 images for each animal, totally 150 skin thermo-grams. From the obtained results we conclude that the most pronounced thermal effect on rabbit’s skin was caused with laser and an electrocoagulator. All electrosurgical devices caused a significantly higher (p is less than 0.01) increase in skin temperature compared to a surgical scalpel at the moment of tissue incision. During the study, it was found that the gentlest electrosurgical devices were used on rabbit skin tissue were a radiofrequency device.

The impacts of agricultural policies are decisive on the agricultural sector, especially in the case of the European Union’s (EU) Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The 2013 CAP reform introduced several new measures. In budgetary terms, basic payment and greening were the most significant ones. Besides, coupled supports, young farmer and small farmers scheme should be mentioned. To reveal the changes caused by these measures, the time horizon of the study is 2013−2017. Since the subsidies represent a significant part of the income generated in the agricultural sector, the basic hypothesis of the study is that the production units concerned (individual farms, private enterprises) gave economically rational answers. In practice, this means trying to fully adapt to the changes to maximize support. Based on the analysed datasets (Hungarian Central Statistical Office and Hungarian State Treasury), it became evident that farmers responded rationally: splitting up farms against capping, moving towards the lowest resistance to comply with greening, plus associating them with the extra support of coupled payments. Generational renewal is a key issue; however, the present form of young farmers’ scheme needs to be refined to be more effective. Small farmers scheme is a good opportunity for farmers with less than 5.5 ha and most of the concerned farmers chose well. However, there are about 6,000 farms that are too small for the standard system, while 772 farms that are too large for the small farmers scheme.

Wheat (Triticum) grain is generally used for food due to its grain quality. The two-factorial trial was conducted in the Research and Study farm ‘Pēterlauki’, Latvia, with an aim of finding out the soil tillage and crop diversification in rotation effect on winter wheat grain yield and quality. Two soil tillage systems (traditional and reduced) and three crop rotation schemes with different winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) fore-crops (wheat, oilseed rape (Brassica napus ssp. oleifera), faba bean (Vicia faba)) were used. The trial started in 2009. For this paper data from 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 growing seasons was used. Yields harvested in 2017 were significantly (p is less than 0.001) higher than those in 2018 (on average 7.17 t haE−1 in 2017, 6.18 t haE−1 in 2018). The highest yield (8.06 t haE−1) was gained in the variant where the fore-crop in 2017 had been faba bean. Crop rotation, including only repeated wheat sowings in both years, showed the lowest yield (on average 5.81 t ha E−1). Crop rotation with oilseed rape and wheat showed a significant wheat yield increase in the following two-year period in comparison to to repeated wheat sowings. A year as a factor had a significant (p is less than 0.05) impact on crude protein content (%), Zeleny index, volume weight (g LE−1) and 1000 grain weight (g). Both, volume weight (g LE−1) and 1000 grain weight, were influenced (p is less than 0.05) by the crop rotation and forecrop. Zeleny index depended on all researched factors. Crude protein content was influenced by soil tillage method (p is less than 0.0016) and fore-crop (p=0.0052). Hagberg falling number was not influenced by any of the investigated factors.

Winter oilseed rape is the main oilseed crop in Latvia. High yield production depends on applied plant nutrients, especially nitrogen. Nitrogen is one of the most mobile plant nutrients in the soil and, therefore, nitrogen fertilizer management is an important part of agriculture. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the effect of nitrogen fertilizer rate on nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in winter oilseed rape. The field experiment was conducted during four growing seasons (2014/2015, 2015/2016, 2016/2017 and 2017/2018) at the Research and Study farm ‘Pēterlauki’ of Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (56° 30.658´ N and 23° 41.580´ E). In total, eight nitrogen rates were used in this experiment (kg ha-1 of N pure matter): N0 or control, N60, N90, N120 (80+40), N150 (100+50), N180 (120+60), N210 (120+60+30) and N240 (140+60+40). All NUE parameters were calculated only for five nitrogen rates (N0; N60, N120, N180 and N 240). Results indicated that the nitrogen fertilizer rate had a significant (p is less than 0.001) effect on winter oilseed rape seed yield. The yield increased until the rate N120 – N180. Nitrogen fertilizer rate also significantly (p is less than 0.001) affected N, P2 O5 and K2 O removal with oilseed rape biomass. N and K2 O removal with seed yield significantly increased until the nitrogen rate N120 – N180, but P2 O5 until N60 – N180. Results showed that the nitrogen fertilizer significantly (p is less than 0.001) affected NUE, nitrogen uptake efficiency (NUpE) and nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUtE), but it did not have a significant (p=0.840) effect on nitrogen harvesting index (NHI). By increasing the nitrogen fertilizer rate, NUE, NUpE and NUtE decreased.

Winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) leaf diseases are an important risk factor that influences the productivity and quality of wheat production. The aim of the present study was to review published scientific literature about the possibilities for integrated control of winter wheat leaf diseases. The most common and economically important wheat leaf diseases are Septoria leaf blotch (caused by Zymoseptoria tritici), tan spot (caused by Pyrenophora triticirepentis), yellow rust (caused by Puccinia striiformis), and powdery mildew (caused by Blumeria graminis). The severity of winter wheat diseases has varied significantly over the years and depended on meteorological conditions, variety resistance to pathogen, and tillage system. The crop rotation and an efficient residue management significantly decrease the development of tan spot. The development of Septoria leaf blotch mainly depends on meteorological conditions, but agronomic practice is less important. The use of disease-resistant varieties is the most economical, safe, and effective way to prevent and control wheat leaf diseases. Many European countries have a number of decision support systems for optimizing and minimizing the use of fungicides. Decision support systems are based on control thresholds and meteorological observations. Most used parameters are: air temperature, relative air humidity, and precipitation. These systems have been developed in the countries with a milder climate and a longer vegetation period than Latvia, and systems need to be adapted to Latvian conditions. The main groups of fungicides for disease control in winter wheat are azoles, strobilurin, and carboxamides. The results of many studies about the effectiveness of fungicide groups show that the obtained results differ and further research is needed.

Brown rust caused by Puccinia recondita is a significant disease in cereal growing areas worldwide. On average, brown rust can cause yield losses from 10% to 40% resulting in economic losses. The disease damages the leaves, stems and glumes of cereals. Classification of the pathogen causing brown rust has undergone several revisions. There are two different opinions about the causal agent causing brown rust on rye and wheat. Some scientists consider that the causal agent of brown rust in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and rye (Secale cereale) is included in the broad species of P. recondita defined by Cummins, but other scientists consider that there are two species causing brown rust – P. recondita in rye and P. triticina in wheat. There are many studies about the races of P. recondita in wheat: in North America, 70 races are collected every year; in Canada, 35 races have been found; in Europe, 105 races have been found. Unfortunately, there are no studies about the races of the pathogen of rye. P. recondita is a heteroecious fungus with a complicated life cycle. For successful development, the fungus requires cereals as primary hosts and different alternative hosts, depending on the specialization of the pathogen. Specific studies about the biology, distribution and harmfulness of Puccinia recondita in Latvia are necessary. Monographic method was used for this study. The aim of this article is to summarize the information from the literature about Puccinia recondita, the causal agent of brown rust, with emphasis on the occurrence, harmfulness, taxonomy, and life cycle of P. recondita f. sp. secalis.