International Scientific Conference "Academic Agricultural Science in Latvia-150"
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Proceedings International Scientific Conference ACADEMIC AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE IN LATVIA – 150 September 19 – 21, 2013 Jelgava, Latvia ORGANIZING COMMITTEE Chairman P. Rivža Sercretaries I. Alsiņa, J. Mangale, I. Baumane Members A. Ruža Z. Gaile E. Birģele K. Vārtukapteinis A. Gailums D. Kārkliņa G. Andersons I. Pilvere I. Skrupskis V. Bariss V. Strīķis B. Briede L. Leikums SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE Prof. J. Skujāns, Latvia University of Agriculture Prof. O. Spārītis, Latvian Academy of Sciences Prof. R. Sigvald, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Prof. H. Saloniemi, University of Helsinki, Finland Prof. K. Jorgensen, Norwegian Life Science University Prof. R. Detluvas, Aleksandras Stulginskis University, Lithuania Prof. J. Grundspeņķis, Riga Technical University, Latvia Prof. B. Rivža, Latvian Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences REVIEWERS Dr. biol. B. Bankina Dr. med. vet. A. Bērziņš Dr. sc. comp. R. Čevere Dr. phil. J. Alsins Dr. agr. L. Lepse Dr. sc. ing. A. Šteinerts Dr. sc. ing. D. Kārkliņa Dr. oec. V. Baumane Dr. sc. ing. Ē. Tilgalis Dr. phil. V. Bariss LANGUAGE EDITOR I. Skuja Issued with the financial support of the Ministry of Agriculture of Latvia © Latvijas Lauksaimniecības universitāte ISBN 978-9984-48-118-0 Juris Skujāns Rector Latvia University of Agriculture Preface Proceedings of the Latvia University of Agriculture (LLU) will be received by readers during a large international conference with local and foreign participants. This conference is very special because it is dedicated to the 150 years’ anniversary of our university. The beginning of higher agricultural education in Latvia started 150 years ago. One and a half century ago the Agriculture Department was established at the Riga Politechnics. During years it was developed and transformed into an independent higher education institution which obtains a state university status and holds a stable position in the Latvian higher education system. Our scientists in agriculture, forestry, veterinary, food, economy and other branches of science have done a lot of work in order to investigate and comprehend the deepest events of our history, including the history of science. The documents found in archives and other evidences, as well as studied monographs, listened contemporary memories will help to come up with new cognitions and facts and to increase the encyclopedic edition “Higher Agricultural Education in Latvia” and the proceedings “Agriculture Science in Latvia 1950 – 1990: Seniors’ View”. All materials will be summarized and incorporated into a new history book of LLU. Nowadays LLU has become a significant education, science and culture center not only locally in Zemgale region but also nationally. The graduates from our university are demanded specialists and the main developers of intellectual potential at the Latvia’s countryside. Our academic personnel in pedagogical and research work is our golden fund, and we are proud that more than 70% from the elected academic personnel has a doctor degree. LLU takes the 3rd place among other Latvian universities regarding the number of defended doctoral theses. Development of doctoral and master studies is positively influenced by our participation at the Baltic agriculture university cooperation network – BOVA. This cooperation has almost 20 years of history, and it is oriented to a better training of internationally recognized doctoral and master students. Qualified lecturers from a similar Nordic university network – NOVA are attracted for the training on a regular basis. As an example, NOVA international courses on usage of data processing programme “R” in veterinary medicine and life sciences for 40 doctoral students from 18 different countries were organized recently in Jelgava. Our scientists are active participants also in the Nordic Agriculture Scientists Association – they take part in seminars, conferences and organize experience exchange. The Economic Department of this association organized a seminar in Jelgava where local craftsmen and representatives from their professional associations had discussions on establishment of a cooperation network for local food producers, craftsmen and researchers in order to produce new, innovative products. Scientists from the Faculty of Food Technology investigated the chemical composition of gooseberries - processing, packing and maintenance possibilities. They came up with a conclusion that nowadays these nutrient rich berries are cultivated only as a cultivar of small household gardens and have been little used for a broader processing in Latvia and Europe. Chemical composition of 10 cultivars of fresh and frozen gooseberries at different readiness degrees were investigated in order to select the best cultivars for drying and to propose them to interested commercial companies for processing. 3 Signed cooperation agreement between LLU and the Latvian Science Academy envisages the development of research cooperation in agriculture, life sciences, engineering, social and pedagogical spheres of science. The LLU and Latvian State Forest Research Institute „Silava” cooperation memorandum foresees joint cooperation in project development and implementation, common information exchange on research results, as well as development of joint cooperation communication. We are proud and happy that because of different projects in research sector, new laboratory equipment has been obtained for more than 1 million lats. As an institution we pay more attention to our strategic objective which is to implement higher education process in close connection with research and technology transfer. The LLU Technology and Knowledge Transfer Center has concluded many contracts with producers on execution of various research activities. Construction of new laboratory block of veterinary medicine has been completed at the LLU research and training farm “Vecauce” which recently celebrated its 90 years’ anniversary. This year the research farm “Vecauce” has started the formation of “Latvian Brown” breed of cows’ gene pool. One of the worldwide progressive management systems - “Afimilk”, has been installed and successfully implemented at the farm. This system allows to control and compare the data of each cow electronically. By implementing a row of large projects of the European Structural Fund, LLU has developed significant research oriented projects for attracting human resources in field of alternative energy, as well as projects improving material and technical basis for research and study needs. LLU is developing as one of the strongest alternative energy centers in Latvia - extensive research in energy plant growing, production of biogas and its optimization, and solar energy usage are implemented in laboratories and research fields. The new clinic of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine started to operate this year. It is one of the most modern and the best equipped clinics in the Baltics, and it is considered to be the reference clinic for treatment of all animal varieties. The experimental and minimal invasive surgery scientific research center has been developed in cooperation with the Riga Stradiņs University. In accordance with the adopted state regulation on Seeds and Cultivars Law, LLU has been delegated the function of evaluating economic qualities of various plant cultivars. The LLU Lifelong Learning Center has organized international summer schools already for two years. Students of higher level study programmes of landscape architecture and planning from 10 countries acquired variety of landscape and cultural historical values of Latvia and presented their insight on the development of rural territories. A deeper insight in our scientists’ achievements and science development of one of the oldest universities of Latvia you can gain by reading the newest proceedings, and by participating at extensive discussions at the 150 years’ anniversary conference. We hope for a continuing cooperation of all types of activities also in the future. 4 Agriculture Education in Latvia – 150 There is no other as favourable place for ecological agriculture as the territory of Latvia and the Baltic States, considering geographic, climate, biological and all other conditions and being inhabited by the population that is observant, talented, hard working and understands the laws of nature. We occasionally remember this fact, but this year it has been highlighted in Latvia by the 150th anniversary of academic agriculture education and scientific research related to it. In 1861 Riga as a metropolis of the Baltic States obtained the rights to establish a higher education institution, Riga Polytechnic, to transform the traditional manor and single-family farming agriculture having lasted for centuries to the rapidly increasing pace of European industrial large-scale production. Two years later – in 1863, the Departments of Engineering, Chemistry and Agriculture were formed in it to provide studies according to the industry principle. Since then the practical agriculture education and the academic science have developed hand in hand, promoted by a highly qualified and international groups of scientists and academic staff. The need for cultivation of the land as the main economic resource in Latvia has secured a continuous development of various branches of agriculture sciences. After the economic concussions brought by the political catastrophe of World War I, the independent state of Latvia was in need of modern national agriculture. Therefore the Faculty of Agriculture within