Agriculture remains to be a major threat to biodiversity, primarily due to partial habitat destruction, unsustainable land use, and the erosion of plant genetic diversity. At the same time, plant genetic resources are essential for crop improvement and long-term food security. A significant share of global agrobiodiversity is safeguarded through ex situ conservation, stored as seed collections in gene banks around the world. These collections include cultivated varieties and crop wild relatives, which play a crucial role in broadening the genetic base for breeding resilient crops. In Poland, the active collection of vegetable genetic resources, including traditional and old cultivars as well as wild relatives, is maintained by the Regional Centre for Horticultural Biodiversity (RCBO) at The National Institute of Horticultural Research in Skierniewice. The living collection supports both scientific research and biodiversity-based development in rural areas. One of the ongoing initiatives of the RCBO focuses on the multiplication, evaluation, and registration of regional and amateur vegetable varieties. It aims to increase their representation in the National List of Vegetable Plant Varieties and supports the implementation of agri-environment-climate schemes under the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). It also assists farmers in reintroducing locally adapted, historically cultivated varieties. To date, eleven old vegetable varieties have been submitted for registration and are currently awaiting approval. There is growing recognition of the need to preserve these genetic resources, not only for their breeding potential but also as a moral responsibility to protect biodiversity and regional heritage for future generations.
Abstract The Lithuanian breeder Antanas Gailiūnas (1918–2004) developed a series of interspecific grapevine hybrids suited for the northern climate. With recent climate change and milder conditions, some of these hybrids have become the main varieties cultivated in Lithuanian vineyards. However, after about 50 years of vegetative propagation by amateur growers, significant plant heterogeneity has been observed. It remains unclear whether these differences are purely phenotypic or also genotypic. Additionally, the origin of many Lithuanian grapevine seedlings is undocumented. According to EU wine regulations, only Vitis vinifera varieties or regionally registered hybrids may be used for wine production. The aim of this study was to assess the genetic diversity and potential origin of grape varieties commonly grown in Lithuania. A total of 78 grapevine leaf samples were collected from six vineyards. Molecular identification was carried out using eight microsatellite (SSR) markers, following the guidelines of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV). In total, 133 polymorphic alleles were identified, with allele numbers per primer pair ranging from 7 to 18. The most informative loci were VVMD7 and VVMD28. The SSR profiles revealed clear genetic distinctions among the genotypes and helped identify cases where different sample names shared the same genetic code. These results confirm the effectiveness of SSR markers for grapevine genotyping and provide valuable data for distinguishing, authenticating, and potentially registering local Lithuanian grape varieties in line with EU regulations.
The article examines the economic feasibility of using microbial and phytohormonal biopreparations in organic soyabean production in Ukraine under the conditions of climatic instability and market fluctuations. The aim of the study was to conduct a comprehensive economic assessment of the profitability of biotechnological cultivation schemes for the Khorol soyabean variety using biopreparations of different origins - Profix, Mycofriend and Violar - implemented over three years (2022–2024), taking into account the level of costs, organic product prices, and hydrothermal conditions. The study also sought to develop an adaptive model for choosing the optimal strategy for organic soyabean producers. The methodology is based on a combination of cost analysis, profitability sensitivity to price scenarios €475–661 per tonne, yield variation coefficients, as well as strategic grouping of schemes according to the “income-risk” criteria. The developed heat map and strategic matrices enabled the formulation of flexible recommendations based on financial capacities and market price expectations. It was found that the combined schemes (in particular, Mycofriend + Profix + Violar) demonstrate not only the maximum yield (3.23 t ha −1 ) and the highest profitability (369%), but also the lowest level of yield fluctuation (CV=9.7%), which indicates their adaptability to hydrothermal stress. At the same time, some monocomponent options (Profix, Control) had unstable yields with a low level of profitability. Based on multi− criteria analysis, a Decision Matrix Model was proposed that combines producer goals, climatic expectations, and market prices of products.
Abstract Since the introduction of wood cellular material, or Dendrolight®, the process of creating dimensionally stable wood panels (Berger et al ., 2016) has evolved towards the creation of a similar, but significantly different new material - Lightweight Stabilised Blockboard (LSB). It was patented (Roziņš, M. Vašuks & P. Vašuks, 2014a) with the invented profiled solid wood boards (Roziņš, M. Vašuks & P. Vašuks, 2014b). The LSB design has introduced a smaller groove or kerf height, which hypothetically allows for a reduction in energy consumption during its manufacturing process. Considering that LSB is a new material, most suitable parameters of cutting regime for the LSB mechanical machining have not been developed. To develop machining processes for LSB, it is necessary to determine the optimal cutting tool, machine parameters, expected feed speed and cutting power. The study analyses the parameters of cutting regime that affect the cutting power, and performs theoretical calculations that reveal the expected and most suitable cutting process indicators in the industrial production of LSB, as well as compares the machining of LSB and Dendrolight®. A new evaluation parameter has been introduced that characterises the ratio between the cutting power and the permissible feed speed. It was concluded that grooving LSB lamellae requires significantly less cutting power, and that higher feed speeds are possible compared with the grooving of analogous Dendrolight® lamellae. However, the cutting power required for the LSB grooving is still quite energy-intensive, which potentially limits the possible width of LSB lamellae and the number of simultaneously operating cutting tools.
Abstract The yield formation of sweet cherries occurs in a relatively short time and has been influenced by various factors. Shortly after blooming, the incompletely fructified fruits drop off the trees. Later, the second fruit drop is mostly is related to resource availability and sink-source relations in the trees. The aim of the study was to evaluate the initial fruit density, fruit drop and final fruit density for eleven sweet cherry cultivars and the impact of rootstocks, year-to-year differences and growing systems. Fruit density on a sample branches was detected in 2022 – 2024 after the initial fruit drop and the second fruit drop. Generally, the number of fruits reduced by 24 – 86% during their development and it was affected by growing season, cultivar and rootstock. The lowest level of fruit drop was shown by the cultivars ‘Paula’ in growing system with VOEN cover and drip irrigation. Fruit drop was significantly less for the trees grown on the rootstock ‘Latvijas Zemais’ ( Prunus cerasus L. ) comparing to the trees on the rootstocks P7 and Mahaleb cherry ( Prunus mahaleb L.).
One of the ways to reduce the use of fossil fuels in transport is to use alkane gases in diesel engines. However, as the direct application of gaseous fuels in diesel engines presents technical challenges. A dual-fuel system integrating H 2 O-CH technology offers an effective solution to facilitate the use of alkane gases in internal combustion diesel engines. By partially substituting diesel fuel in the combustion chamber with a mixture of alkane gas and water vapour, a more uniform and complete combustion process can be achieved, thereby reducing diesel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The aim of this study is to compare the performance (power, torque, fuel, gas and water consumption) of a passenger car with a diesel engine when running on pure diesel fuel and when running on a combination of diesel and gaseous fuel using H 2 O-CH technology equipment. The performance indicators were compared in different driving modes using the chassis dynamometer Mustang MD1750, while simultaneously measuring fossil diesel, LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas), and water consumption. The results demonstrate that a properly integrated and calibrated dual-fuel system equipped with H 2 O-CH technology can, under certain operating conditions, achieve higher engine performance while partially replacing diesel fuel with a mixture of alkane gas and water vapour. The presence of water vapour in the fuel mixture reduces the risk of detonation in the combustion chamber and contributes to smoother and more stable engine operation.
During the three-year period from 2022 to 2024, five primocane-fruiting raspberry cultivars (‘Delniwa’, ‘Enrosadira’, ‘Jantar’, ‘Poemat’, ‘Polka’) were evaluated at the Polli Horticultural Research Centre of the Estonian University of Life Sciences, situated in southern Estonia. This study aimed to assess the traits of yield and fruit quality indicators of these selected cultivars, as well as their resistance to abiotic stress factors (temperature fluctuations and precipitation variability) and their adaptability to Estonian climatic conditions. As a result of the study, the most suitable raspberry cultivar for cultivation in Estonian conditions was identified among these cultivars. The study revealed significant differences between cultivars. The Polish cultivar ‘Poemat’ performed most consistently and proved to be well-adapted to Estonia’s climate. In contrast, the Italian cultivar ‘Enrosadira’ had the most fluctuating yields year-to-year, implying it’s more sensitive to varying weather conditions. The low yield of ‘Polka’ in the first year of observation, which constantly decreased in successive years, showed that this cultivar is not suitable for the Estonian climate conditions. Among the cultivars tested, ‘Delniwa’ from Poland showed the highest ratio of total soluble solids to total acids in juice, indicating the best taste characteristics. The study highlights the cultivar ‘Poemat’ among the evaluated raspberry cultivars as the most promising for Estonian growers due to its stable yield and good adaptability to climatic conditions. The study results provide practical knowledge for selecting parent cultivar plants in raspberry breeding and planning plantations in the Baltic region.
Microgreens are young seedlings harvested at the first true leaf stage and are valued for their concentrated flavour and phytonutrients. Their short growth cycle and high planting density make them well-suited for Totally Controlled Environment Agriculture (TCEA), which shields crop performance from external weather and water scarcity. However, species-specific water footprints for these juvenile crops remain limited, which inhibits accurate sustainability claims. This study evaluated twelve culinary microgreen species representing Amaryllidaceae, Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Fabaceae and Lamiaceae , cultivated in a micro-TCEA unit under two LED spectra with contrasting Red:Blue ratios (5.08 vs 2.33; 255 µmol m −2 s −1 ; 14 h photoperiod). Ranking species by days to harvest and cumulative water use produced a multidimensional efficiency matrix linking physiology to resource demands. The analysis revealed clear interspecific differences in growth duration and water consumption, which directly affected water-use efficiency (ranging from 73 to 154 g biomass L −1 ). Spectral treatment did not alter biomass, water use efficiency, nitrate, or phenolic content, confirming nutritional parity across light regimes. The observed variability among species in crop length and water budget highlights that early-stage demand is primarily driven by intrinsic physiological traits. Adopting species-specific irrigation set points offers a high-leverage route to maximise yield while minimising water withdrawal, providing a practical framework for cultivar choice, scheduling, and climate-adaptive strategies in precise horticulture.
Blackcurrant ( Ribes nigrum L.) is the most widely grown berry crop in Latvia, with organic plantations occupying a large share of production. However, the fruit productivity is limited by the susceptibility to pests, diseases, and environmental stresses of grown cultivars. To identify sources of resistance, 19 local genotypes, including cultivars, breeding selections, and expedition-collected material, were evaluated for yield, fruit quality, and resistance/tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Considerable variability in the resistance of the tested accessions was observed. The cultivars ‘Karina’ and ‘Ritmo’ as well as the genotypes VI-2, GEN 233A, GEN 264 and GEN 645 showed the highest levels of resistance to pests and diseases. GEN 758 had good winter hardiness and frost tolerance while GEN 233A was additionally notable for its high nutritional value of its fruit.
Abstract For successful development of fruit production in Latvia it is necessary to obtain new cultivars suitable for commercial growing and able to compete with imported fruits. The aim of the breeding program at Institute of Horticulture is to combine the following: (1) high fruit quality, long storage, improved flesh firmness and biochemical content, especially Brix, polyphenols; (2) climate adapted tree with high and regular yields, easy for training, desirably with self-thinning fruits; (3) complex resistance or tolerance to main apple diseases – scab, mildew and others. The resistance has to be durable, so different resistance sources are combined in crosses, including genes Rvi6 and Rvi5. Sources of fire blight resistance are also used, as this disease now arrives in Latvia. Recently more attention is paid to late flowering with some resistance to spring frosts, as this trait is becoming increasingly important in Latvia with climate change. For improved quality, best cultivars grown worldwide are included, like ‘Bohemia’, ‘Honeycrisp’. Late maturing is preferred, but with harvest not too late for Latvia. In 2024 six variety candidates were applied for registration: ‘Inara’ ( ‘ Alesya‘ x ‘Honeycrisp’), ‘Raivo’ (‘Bogatyr’ x ‘Fantazja’), ‘Sarmīte’ (Co-op 7 x AMD-12-15-15) for commercial growing and ‘Katrīnīte’ Rvi6 (BM 41497 x ‘Latkrimson’) for home gardens; ornamental apples ‘Antonija’ and ‘Dūdars’ (both ‘Top Millionaire’ x D-1-94-2). Promising variety candidates for registration are H-15-05-20 ‘Ilze’ (‘Eksotika’ x ‘Bohemia’), H-3-07-164 ’Vizma’ (‘Ligita’ x ‘Honeycrisp’), cider apple P 53-1 ‘Pūres Sidra’ (‘Redcroft’ o.p.), ornamental crab S1-8 ‘Austris’ (‘Geneva crab’ o.p.).
In apple production, reducing the use of synthetic pesticides may be possible by using inorganic substances in the second part of the season against secondary scab infections. An investigation was conducted to evaluate strategies for controlling apple scab. The trial comprised the following treatments: synthetic fungicides applied to manually pruned slender-spindle canopy trees; synthetic fungicides applied during the primary scab infection period and inorganic substances during the secondary period; and synthetic fungicides applied only during the early stages of apple scab infection for mechanically pruned trees with a vertical axis canopy. The incidence of apple scab in ‘Ligol’ was strongly influenced by season, treatment, and canopy management, with secondary infection periods being critical for disease control. Combining synthetic fungicides in the primary period with inorganic substances in the secondary period effectively reduced fruit infection while limiting chemical use. Vertical-axis orchard systems showed higher yield efficiency per canopy volume. Overall, integrated management strategies, including pruning, canopy design, and targeted fungicide application are essential for optimising yield and fruit health under variable seasonal conditions.
This article investigates the relationship between meteorological factors and the weight dynamics of honey bee ( Apis mellifera ) colonies. Beekeeping, a crucial component of agriculture, is directly influenced by environmental conditions. The study employs a comprehensive approach, integrating meteorological data and hive weight measurements to assess the impact of temperature, humidity, wind speed and precipitation on honey bee colony productivity. Through bee colony weight measurements in four different geographical locations and available meteorological data, the research aims to identify patterns and correlations between meteorological variations and the fluctuations in hive weight, shedding light on the potential implications for beekeeping practices and the overall wellbeing of honey bees. Weight Delta is a negative or positive increase in the average weight of the hive in the current hour in relation to the hive’s average weight in the preceding hour of day. The developed correlation matrix revealed that the bee colony weight Delta value most depends on the air relative humidity, temperature and hour of the day. Random Forest was selected as the regression model because it showed the most promising performance comparing to other regression models. The developed prediction model showed that the highest Delta value is obtained when the outdoor temperature is in the range of 19 °C to 27 °C and the relative humidity is from 20% to 40%. The findings contribute valuable insights to the fields of apiculture and environmental science, facilitating informed decision-making for beekeepers and policymakers alike in efforts to mitigate the challenges faced by honey bee colonies in an ever-changing climate.
Mixotrophic cultivation of microalgae using dairy industry by-products as a cheap alternative media offers a sustainable method for dairy industry waste reduction and stimulation of value-added biomass synthesis. Such integration can support the principles of circular economy and promotes environmentally friendly practices within the dairy industry sector. The current study focuses on the mixotrophic cultivation of a newly isolated green microalga Graesiella emersonii MSCL 1718 strain in concentrated cheese whey permeate. It was demonstrated that G. emersonii can successfully grow in whey permeate significantly surpassing the biomass synthesis of photoautotrophic control group cultivated in modified Bold’s Basal medium. Different concentrations of permeate were assessed to determine an optimal media preparation strategy and G. emersonii lactose tolerance levels. It was shown that G. emersonii maintained significant biomass production rates with lactose exceeding 40 g L −1 concentrations in the experimental media. The highest biomass productivity was observed in 20% permeate medium, reaching 0.17 ± 0.02 g L −1 d-1 (dry weight). The results of this study highlight the suitability of G. emersonii for further bioconversion of dairy industry by-products into value-added biomass and commercial products. However, further assessment is required to optimise the biomass production and evaluate the bioconversion rates of various nutrients. Additionally, a pilot-scale assessment of biomass production is crucial for gaining a better understanding of the process and assessing the feasibility of the proposed approach.
This study investigates the perceived efficacy of agroforestry as a climate change mitigation strategy and other motivating factors influencing farmers’ adoption of agroforestry practices, specifically in Oyo State, southwestern Nigeria. A survey involving 400 respondents utilized structured questionnaires to gather data. Statistical analyses, including independent samples t-test and one-way ANOVA, were employed to assess differences in agroforestry practices based on gender and age/education sub-groups. The relationship between perceived efficacy, cues to agroforestry, and agroforestry practices was examined using the Pearson correlation coefficient. Findings indicate that while 83.0% of respondents had previously engaged in agroforestry, current engagement reduced sharply to 42.8%. Gender significantly influenced agroforestry practices, with women at a disadvantage ( p < 0.05), whereas age and education did not show significant effects ( p > 0.05). Perceived efficacy showed an insignificant relationship with agroforestry practices ( r = 0.069, p > 0.05), contrasting with cues to agroforestry which exhibited a significant positive correlation ( r = 0.379, p < 0.05). Despite the substantial perceived efficacy of agroforestry in mitigating climate change, this perception does not translate into actual agroforestry practices among farmers. The study underscores the importance of introducing cues and prompts to bridge the gap between ideal perceptions and behaviour/adoption, thereby enhancing the efficacy of agroforestry as a climate change mitigation strategy, particularly in developing contexts like Nigeria.
The aim of current study is to evaluate the influence of pre-treatment methods on pea-based beverage quality. The influence of pea variety and pre-treatment on the nutritional composition, physicochemical properties, and volatile profile of pea-based beverages was investigated. Conventionally grown spring pea genotypes were used: ‘Lasma’, ‘Zaiga’, H 08-10-15. The analysed parameters included total dietary fibre, proteins, amino acid profile, total phenolic content (TPC), tannin content (TC), pH, viscosity and volatile compounds. Among the evaluated varieties, the grey pea breeding line H 08-10-15 exhibited significantly higher (p < 0.05) protein content, while ‘Zaiga’ had significantly lower protein content but the highest total dietary fibre content (p < 0.05). Amino acid composition varied notably by variety, with H 08-10-15 showing higher concentrations of Gly, His, and Leu. Germination significantly reduced total solids, viscosity, total dietary fibre content, while increasing soluble solids in pea-based beverages. Viscosity was highest in boiled samples and those derived from pea breeding line H 08-10-15. TPC was highest in ‘Zaiga’, and roasting reduced content of both TPC and TC. Volatile compound analysis revealed that pre-treatment significantly affected the aroma profile, with germination reducing undesirable notes such as beany, earthy and mushroom aromas by decreasing 1-octen-3-ol and heptanal. These findings demonstrate that both pea variety and pre-treatment methods critically affect the nutritional and sensory attributes of pea-based beverages, providing insights for the development of improved plant-based products. The most suitable raw material for pea beverage production is grey pea breeding line H 08-10-15, with germination and roasting as pre-treatment methods.
Sustainable development of society is the only effective mechanism of development in the face of climate change and environmental pollution. One of the ways to solve these problems is the transition to a green economy. The purpose of this article is to identify current trends and prospects for the development of green energy financing in Ukraine. This study analyses green energy financing, as this area is quite promising after the start of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation (RF) and a massive attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. As of the beginning of June 2023, according to preliminary estimates, direct losses of the Ukrainian energy sector amounted to USD 8.8 billion. It was found that 6% of RES were damaged; 25% were occupied. All this had a negative impact on energy production. A positive trend was observed during the periods 2016–2018 and 2020–2021. According to Climatescope’s Most Attractive Markets for Renewable Energy Investment Ranking, Ukraine ranks 74th globally and 27th in the European region with a score of 1.83. In 2022, investments in clean energy decreased by 99.7%. The problems that hinder the attraction of green finance in Ukraine are identified. To develop green finance, it is proposed to adopt the subsidy system, features and specifics of contracts for difference from the experience of Poland. The experience of Germany is useful in the issue of the Energy Transition Fund. The experience of Denmark is worth using public-private partnerships. It is established that despite the growing share of non-performing loans, lending is a promising area of green energy financing.
This study examines the beliefs and attitudes of animal welfare volunteers in Latvia towards veterinarians and veterinary inspectors, with the objective of shedding light on the intricate dynamics within these relationships. This study, utilising qualitative research through ten semi-structured interviews, uncovers divergent perspectives on the relationship between volunteers and veterinary professionals. Volunteers express a largely negative attitude towards veterinary inspectors, highlighting deficiency in empathy, insufficient action on concerns about illegal breeders, and punitive actions against volunteers for regulatory noncompliance. In contrast, their attitude towards veterinarians is more nuanced, encompassing both anger because of treatment costs and an acknowledgment of common objectives with certain veterinarians, especially younger professionals who exhibit dedication to animal care. The results indicate that the volunteers’ emotional commitment to animal rescue and beliefs about vets and veterinary inspectors markedly affects their interactions with them, resulting in difficulties in cooperation with the abovementioned persons. The findings highlight the vital need for improved communication and collaboration, and recommend examining prevalent ethical viewpoints about companion animals, as well as analysing the historical impact of legislation and societal norms on perceptions of animal welfare, which could enhance the discourse among stakeholders.
Recent changes in cannabis regulations and increased global attention to sustainability have contributed to a renewed interest in hemp farming. However, farm-level assessments of the sustainability of hemp farming remain limited, creating a research gap that constrains a comprehensive understanding of its environmental, economic, and social impacts. To address this, the present study employs the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Sustainability Assessment of Food and Agriculture (SAFA) tool to evaluate a hemp farm across four dimensions: environmental integrity, economic resilience, social well-being, and good governance. Using an exploratory single-case study design, data were collected through internal documents, a semi-structured interview with the farm manager, and publicly available sources The results show strong performance in the social and governance dimensions, with the farm contributing to rural development through community engagement and tourism. In contrast, the environmental and economic dimensions reveal constraints, such as the absence of formal biodiversity monitoring, dependence on external energy supply, and limited revenue diversification. The findings indicate a need to adapt sustainability assessment frameworks to better reflect informal and small-scale farming contexts, where tacit knowledge and interrelated sustainability dimensions influence outcomes. Although exploratory and context-specific, the study contributes to a broader understanding of sustainability in niche or emerging crop systems and suggests directions for refining assessment methodologies.
In recent years, the focus has increasingly shifted towards sustainable packaging solutions, with a rising interest in utilising edible materials for dairy product packaging. The dairy industry has substantial potential for the utilisation of edible coatings and films, as indicated by recent research in this field. The selection of packaging material and design plays a crucial role in ensuring that each packaged dairy product meets expected standards of shelf-life, quality and safety, while also being cost-effective, visually appealing, and environmentally sustainable. Effective packaging can enhance efficiency, minimise waste, and improve overall product quality. This review consolidates recent findings on edible biodegradable packaging applications for cheese, highlighting key advancements, and offering insights into future trends with a focus on environmentally friendly practices within the dairy industry. It also discusses current testing possibilities for biodegradable packaging across various dairy products.
Abstract To determine dependence patterns, we studied a collection comprising 45 naked-oat accessions of different ecological, geographical and genetic origins. To assess the accessions for a set of investigated characters, cluster analysis was conducted. The cluster analysis distinguished four groups of accessions according to the panicle performance constituents. The accessions of clusters one and two were identified as valuable starting materials for naked-oat breeding to create high-yielding cultivars suitable for cultivation in the Eastern Left-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. The selected naked-oat accessions in clusters one and two are valuable for further breeding because they exhibit altered correlations between plant height, panicle performance, and the number of kernels per panicle. The correlations between panicle performance and plant height, and between the number of kernels per panicle and plant height, are negative in these clusters (r= −0.41 and r= −0.41, respectively), unlike the correlations in the entire studied collection, where these traits were positively correlated or were hardly correlated (r= 0.42 and r= 0.19, respectively). The selected accessions are characterised by the following features: the plant height of 78.5–86.2 cm, the panicle length of 16.9–18.8 cm, 33.5–39.2 spikelets per panicle, 47.3–52.4 kernels per panicle, the weight of kernels per panicle of 1.2–1.3 g, and the thousand-kernel weight of 27.0–27.3 g.
