Interest in cloudberries Rubus chamaemorus L. has recently increased in the world and Latvia because development of this industry could increase regional economic growth. However, there are many unknown issues in this industry, even in a global context. Meanwhile, researches of cloudberry and Arctic bramble (Rubus arcticus L.) cultivation in Latvia practically do not exist. Cultivation of different cloudberry varieties would be a good opportunity of bog re-cultivation, opening the way for specific “niche” products with high added value. In the University of Eastern Finland there was a study where five substrates, five fertilizers and nine genotypes (varieties, hybrids) were tested for influence on the Arctic bramble growth and development, and biochemical parameters of berry, as well as fertilizer and clones impact on productivity and fruit quality of cloudberry. I had a chance to take part in an experience exchange project called “Leonardo da Vinci” where I had an opportunity to visit the University of Kuopio, Department of Pomiculture, where I met with my colleagues and learned the development of methodology, as well as the problems that arise during the cultivation of both species.

Winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is the major field crop grown in Latvia. Gluten quantity and quality are important indices for technological processing of wheat. Field experiments with winter wheat cultivars ‘Bussard’ and ‘Zentos’ using four nitrogen top-dressing rates (N60, N90, N120 and N150) were carried out at the Study and Research farm „Peterlauki” of Latvia University of Agriculture in 2009/2010, 2010/2011 and 2011/2012. The objective of this study was to determine year (Y) and nitrogen fertilizer (N) effect for two winter wheat cultivars on wet gluten content and gluten quality. Year, nitrogen fertilizer and year × N-fertilizer interaction had a significant effect on wet gluten content and quality. Significant negative correlation was determined between grain gluten content and gluten index only for cultivar ‘Zentos’ (r = –0.765).

Calendula (Calendula officinalis L.) is an annual plant and belongs to the Asteraceae family. It is a medicinal plant and its flowers are used as important ingredient of pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food production. The aim of this study was to evaluate influence of sowing rate on flowers diameter of calendula. The trial was carried out in the Research and Study Farm „Vecauce” during 2014. Six calendula cultivars ‘Cream Beauty’, ‘Greenheart’, ‘Indian Prince’, ‘Pink Surprise’, ‘Radio’ and ‘Santana’ were sown using three sowing rates: 6 kg haE-1, 9 kg haE-1 and 12 kg haE-1. Flowers’ diameter was measured during flowering period. During investigation period, there were noted that flower size decreases (except cultivar ‘Radio’) increasing sowing rate. The biggest flowers were obtained using sowing rate 6 kg haE-1. The biggest flowers were noted for cultivars ‘Greenheart’ (8.2 cm), ‘Cream Beauty’ (7.0 cm) and ‘Santana’ (7.0 cm) using sowing rate 6 kg haE-1, but cultivar ‘Radio’ has biggest flowers when sowing rate 9 kg haE-1 was used. Cultivar ‘Indian Prince’ sown at the sowing rate 12 kg haE-1 produced the smallest flowers (4.8 cm). According to the obtained data, flower size of calendula was significantly (p is less than 0.05) influenced by the used sowing rate (by 13%), as well as selected cultivar (by 78%). The interaction of both factors affected flower size at about 5%.

Some of small-sized Bembidion ground beetles (Carabidae) often inhabit various cereal crops and are feeding mainly on aphids. They also can take a dominant position into assemblage of all ground beetle species. The objective of this research was to compare phenology of activity density of Bembidion ground beetles in differently managed winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) fields. The research was carried out at Latvia University of Agriculture Study and Research Farm „Peterlauki” (56 o 30’39.38’’N; 23o 41’30.15’’E) using 12 differently cultivated and pre-cropped sample plots (0.25 ha) during 2012. Totally six Bembidion species – B. quadrimaculatum, B. lampros, B. properans, B. guttula, B. mannerheimii and B. obtusum – were observed. Different pre-crops did not significantly affect the activity density of Bembidion beetles, but traditionally tilled (ploughed) soil promoted significantly higher activity density of Bembidion ground beetles than minimally tilled soil throughout vegetation season.

All possible sources of nitrogen available for crops before decision is made for the use of commercial fertilisers is necessary according to the requirements of Nitrate directive and adjustment documents regulating fertiliser use planning. Soil together with crop residues is one of nitrogen supplying sources, but quantifying amounts which could be released in plant available form and take part in yield formation by numerous reasons are difficult. Indirect soil nitrogen supply assessment could be derived from data obtained in field experiments where no-fertiliser-plot was used. Nitrogen off-take in this plot shows amount of nitrogen crops are able to obtain from soil and crop residues pool. In field conditions such factors were developed for winter rye and wheat, spring wheat and barley, winter and spring rape, as well as potatoes, and are based on 72 field experiments performed in Latvia within the 5 year (2008 – 2012) period. Share of soil nitrogen sources was also calculated for situations when crops were supplied with different nitrogen fertiliser amounts.

Productivity and response to waste water, wood ash and digestate fertilizer of commercial clones ‘Sven’, ‘Gudrun’, ‘Tordis’, ‘Tora’, ‘Lisa’, ‘Inger’, ‘Stina’ and ‘Klara’ were tested in Skriveri and „Vecauce”. The best combination of moisture content of chips and productivity showed ‘Sven’ („Vecauce”) and ‘Thor’ (Skriveri). Most effective fertilizer was waste water sludge, but the most productive clones in Latvian conditions were ‘Tora’, ‘Inger’, ‘Tordis’, ‘Klara’, but on sandy soils – ‘Sven’.

The present research is a part of Master Degree Thesis „Importance of antler characteristics and body size validation in red deer farming”. The data for the research was obtained while evaluating red deer calves and hinds on the farm „Dumpji” during the herd’s annual prophylactic check-up in December 2013 and April 2014. Within the framework of the research body mass and body parts measurements were made for hinds (n = 71). They were born in the 2011. Within the framework of the research measurements of red deer hinds’ body mass, height at withers, hip height, head width and hip width were made. Main values of these measurements were calculated and their correlations drawn. The findings showed that body mass has a close positive correlation with hip width (r = 0.481; p is less than 0.01), hip height (r=0.337; p is less than 0.01) and height at withers (r = 0.453; p is less than 0.01). Moreover, hip height has a close positive correlation with height at withers (r = 0.547; p = 0.01).

Recently the growth rates of bioenergy production are leading to the waste – digestate and wood ash increases, which are essential to be managed in the most efficient way. In order to study the waste products application possibilities for energy crops – reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) and festulolium (×Festulolium pabulare), the fertilisation trials were established in 2012 at the Skriveri Research Institute of Agriculture. The following treatments were compared: (1) without fertilisers (control); (2) mineral fertilisers; (3) wood ash; (4) digestate once per season; (5) digestate two times per season. Similar amount of main plant nutrients (N, P2O5, K2O) were provided in all treatments. The biomass yield was harvested using two cutting regimes: two cut and one-cut harvest system. This article summarizes the findings on the grasses productivity in 1st year of use. The productivity of perennial grass biomass was dependent on the type of applied fertilisers, grass species and cutting regime: the highest average dry matter yield was produced by reed canary grass. The highest dry matter (DM) yield in average for both grass species were obtained by harvesting once per season – in autumn at the phase of crop senescence when wood ash and mineral fertilisers were used as fertilisers.

Environmental conditions and climate change on a global scale affects the overall agriculture and food supply. More and more consumers are taking care about healthy and balanced diet, but it is not easy to provide year round fresh vegetables in the daily consumption. Leaves of the Urtica dioca L. is a good source of some important minerals and vitamins. Many people collect the young nettle shoots in early spring for salads and soups. The investigations were carried out at Pūre Horticultural Research Centre with the aim to evaluate dynamics of vitamin C during vegetation season. Biochemical analyzes were performed in Latvia University of Agriculture, Institute of Soil and Plant Science laboratory. Differences between all clones were observed. Significant difference in vitamin C content depending on nettle harvesting times was also observed. Highest vitamin C content was observed in the first testing time (3 – 5 true leaf unfolded).time (3 – 5 true leaf unfolded).

Milk production and milk composition are of prime economic importance for farmers. Thus, as protein volume in feed is increased, not only more milk is produced, bet also threats for environmental pollution are growing. The objective of this work was to establish milk urea content in different farms. Individual cow milk samples (n = 14873) were collected monthly from September 2009 to September 2011. It was established in this study that forecasted ammonium pollution emitted daily from agricultural holdings using tie stall housing may comprise 91.4 – 104.0 g from cow, while amount emitted by freestall housing holdings may constitute 93.9 – 95.9 g from cow daily.