Tag Archives: Latvia

1374-1387 M. Ušča, L. Ieviņa and P. Lakovskis
Spatial disparity and environmental issues of organic agriculture
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Spatial disparity and environmental issues of organic agriculture

M. Ušča*, L. Ieviņa and P. Lakovskis

Institute of Agricultural Resources and Economics, Struktoru street 14, LV-1039 Riga, Latvia
*Correspondence: maija.usca@arei.lv

Abstract:

Food systems are major drivers of such global environmental problems as a decrease in biodiversity, degradation and fragmentation of habitats, use of fertilizers and pesticides, and water pollution. To deal with the environmental issues caused by agriculture at the European level, agri-environmental measures, including organic agriculture, through Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) are introduced to alleviate the detrimental impacts of agriculture. As it is still not clear whether agri-environmental measures, including organic agriculture, contribute unambiguously to the goals set by the CAP and the impact of organic agriculture on water quality is of high uncertainty, this study aims to analyse the spatial disparity of organic land and its impact on the environment by probing into the connection between the location of organic lands and water quality. The paper is based on a study of spatial analyses of organically managed land, its structure, and its relation to water bodies with a significant load of dispersed pollution from agriculture as well as the statistical analysis of the relationship between organic agriculture and water quality. The research was carried out in Latvia and done on a national level. This paper highlights the necessity for a more goal-oriented approach to the implementation of specific CAP measures as well as gives a deeper understanding of a specific CAP measure – organic agriculture. The statistical analysis of the data confirms that the management of arable land with organic farming methods has the potential to contribute to improving and preserving surface water quality.

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981–993 I. Biuksane
The role of producer organizations in development of the Latvian fruit and vegetables sector and the EU
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The role of producer organizations in development of the Latvian fruit and vegetables sector and the EU

I. Biuksane*

Institute of Agricultural Resources and Economics, Rezekne Academy of Technologies, Struktoru Str. 14, LV–1039 Riga, Latvia
*Correspondence: inese.biuksane@inbox.lv

Abstract:

Cooperation works as a tool for stable and sustainable economic development, facilitating human well-being and development of economy. It reflects cohesion of the sector and interest in facilitation of the common development of the sector. At the EU level, an increasing attention is paid to cooperation and its role in promotion of competitiveness of the fruit and vegetables sector. The aim of the research is to evaluate the contribution of producer organizations to the development of the fruit and vegetable sector and achievement of the objectives of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy. Based on the national and international planning documents, available statistical data and the results of conducted questionnaires, a general overview of the activities of fruit and vegetable producer organizations in Latvia and their achieved results in reaching the objectives of the EU’s common organization of the market in agricultural products was provided. Several proposals were developed to strengthen the activities of fruit and vegetable producer organizations, to facilitate the competitiveness of the sector, as well as to implement the Common Agricultural Policy of the EU. The results obtained during the research can help the institutions involved in the establishment and implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy of the EU to better develop and improve the policy in the sector.

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094–111 J. Gailis, I. Turka and M. Ausmane
Soil tillage and crop rotation differently affect biodiversity and species assemblage of ground beetles inhabiting winter wheat fields
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Soil tillage and crop rotation differently affect biodiversity and species assemblage of ground beetles inhabiting winter wheat fields

J. Gailis*, I. Turka and M. Ausmane

Latvia University of Agriculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Institute of Soil and Plant Sciences, Liela street 2, LV-3001 Jelgava, Latvia
*Correspondence: janis.gailis@llu.lv

Abstract:

This paper continues studies on ground beetles (Carabidae) in differently managed winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) fields in Latvia. The main task of those studies was to assess how different soil tillage regimes (ploughing and non-inverse tillage) and different pre-crops (winter wheat and spring rapeseed (Brassica napus) affect assemblage and biodiversity of ground beetles in winter wheat fields. The research was carried out in the Latvia University of Agriculture Research and Study Farm ‘Pēterlauki’ (56°30’39.38’’N; 23°41’30.15’’E) during vegetation season of 2013. The results were compared with the results of similar research carried out at the same place during 2012. Totally 57 ground beetle species were observed in studied fields in 2013. Total species assemblage varied between both consecutive vegetation seasons of the research, however these were minor differences not connected with studied agro-ecological factors. Dominance structure of ground beetle species was significantly different between both vegetation seasons – species which were dominant and subdominant in 2012 became subdominant and dominant one year later, accordingly. Annual effects of soil tillage regime and pre-crop on ground beetle dominance structure also were observed, however some differences were recognized between both vegetation seasons. In case, if weed control was successful, higher ground beetle biodiversity might be observed in ploughed fields pre-cropped with spring rapeseed. Otherwise, significantly higher ground beetle biodiversity may be observed in harrowed soil independently from the pre-crop.

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123–133 A. Lēnerts, D. Popluga, K. Naglis-Liepa and P. Rivža
Fertilizer use efficiency impact on GHG emissions in the Latvian crop sector
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Fertilizer use efficiency impact on GHG emissions in the Latvian crop sector

A. Lēnerts¹, D. Popluga¹*, K. Naglis-Liepa¹ and P. Rivža²

¹Latvia University of Agriculture, Faculty of Economics and Social Development,
Institute of Economics and Regional Development, Svetes street 18, LV-3001, Jelgava,
Latvia
²Latvia University of Agriculture, Faculty of Information technologies, Liela street 2,
LV-3001, Jelgava, Latvia
*Correspondence: dina.popluga@llu.lv

Abstract:

Within increasing production activity Latvian agricultural sector has become one of the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in Latvia. In 2013, agricultural sector contributed 21.0% of the total GHG emissions originated in Latvia (2310.1 Gg CO2eq). Analysis of agricultural GHG emissions by sources shows that direct N2O emissions from agricultural soils through the usage of synthetic fertilizers are one of the most significant GHG source in Latvia. The usage of synthetic fertilizers is one of the most common widespread agricultural practices in Latvian cropping systems and according to statistical data usage of synthetic fertilizers is constantly increasing, for example, in 2013 it increased by 6.9% if compared with 2012. Taking into account that over-fertilization can lead to negative economic and environmental consequences, such as high production costs, depletion of energy resources, and increased GHG emissions, this research aims to estimate how effective usage of synthetic fertilizers are in Latvian crop farms. In order to achieve the set aim an N fertilizer usage were estimated in four crop farms by giving insight into N balance and N use efficiency (NUE) rate in these farms. Research results suggest that improved N efficiency can be selected as GHG mitigation measure as it reduces N surpluses and the use and production of mineral fertiliser while maintaining yield levels. It was also concluded that improved N efficiency reduces direct N2O emissions from fertilized soils and indirect N2O emissions that occur by the release of NH3.

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