Academic CentreDevelopment and testing of a prototype of a plant growth stimulator and antimicrobial agent of microalgae origin for autumn raspberries
Project: Development and testing of a prototype of a plant growth stimulator and antimicrobial agent of microalgae origin for autumn raspberries
Project no. 19-00-A01620-000072
Project coordinator (Lead partner): University of Latvia (UL Institute of Biology)
Project cooperation partners:
- Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies
- Dainis Rūtenbergs, self-employed person
- “KLĪVES”, Šņickovskis’ farm at Jelgava district
Project implementation term: 05.2020. - 01.2023.
Objective of the project:
To approbate and evaluate environment-friendly biotechnological cultivation process of microalgae in Latvia and to develop a method for obtaining a preparation containing microalgae biomass for improving berry growth indicators, to enhance their productivity and resistance to pathogens, to biotic and abiotic stressors as well.
Project actuality:
A major problem facing fruit and berry growers is crop losses due to both the spreading of various plant diseases and damage during storage. For example, summarizing several years of observations on the prevalence of diseases in raspberry plantations, specialists of the Latvian Plant Protection Research Center have concluded that year after year, economically significant crop losses are caused by various types of microscopic fungi. Certain substances of microalgae biomass are able to improve plants growth rates, berry quality and productivity, so if the preparation developed after the Project will be commercialized, it should be possible to use it as sustainable biosolution to improve the economic indicators of fruit and berry farms.
Description of activities:
Within the framework of the Project, the development, approbation and optimization of the method for obtaining microalgae preparation, as well as efficiency evaluation of the preparation at the experimental raspberry plantations will be performed. New knowledge will be gained about the most suitable conditions for microalgae cultivation and species. Use of the developed preparation is intended to increase raspberry plantations productivity and berry quality, prevent from spreading plant diseases and activate the soil processes.
Total budget: 70 305,13 EUR (incl. EAFRD support 63 274,63 EUR)
UL total budget: 55 300,13 EUR (incl. EAFRD support 49 770,12 EUR)
Contacts: The scientific leader of the project Pāvels Semjonovs, Dr. biol., pavels.semjonovs@lu.lv
The implementation of the project is supported by the Rural Support Service and the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Latvia.
More information on the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development is available on the European Commission's website: http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/rural-development-2014-2020/index_lv.htm
Obtaining of bio-degradable polymers from renewable resources for production of protective coatings and packaging materials for fruits
Project: Obtaining of bio-degradable polymers from renewable resources for production of protective coatings and packaging materials for fruits
Project no. 19-00-A01612-000004
Project coordinator (Lead partner): University of Latvia (UL Institute of Biology)
Project cooperation partners:
- Institute of Horticulture
- Rankas Piens, JSC
- Probiotika LV, Ltd.
- Skoru dārzi, Ltd.
- Pērles, farm at Auru parish
- Valters Dambe, self-employed person
Project implementation term: 10/2019 – 09/2022
Objective of the project:
Development of novel materials for fruit treatment, particularly soft berries (raspberries and strawberries) - biologically degradable edible coatings for preserving quality of berries and prolongation of their storage time without using for human and environment harmful chemicals.
Description of activities:
This study aims to verify that the storage time of berries can be extended by coating them with an effective, safe for health and biodegradable polymer, which is obtained by way of microbial synthesis of polysaccharides, their derivatives and composites. Research will be carried out on specific features of biopolymers obtained from agricultural and industry by-products. Developing a prototype of the technology for production of biopolymer coatings and packaging materials with the characteristics corresponding to the type of their application.
Total budget: 487 890,15 EUR (incl. EAFRD support 438 841,14 EUR)
UL total budget: 302 813,00 EUR (incl. EAFRD support 272 531,70 EUR)
Contacts: The scientific leader of the project Pāvels Semjonovs, Dr. biol., pavels.semjonovs@lu.lv
The implementation of the project is supported by the Rural Support Service and the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Latvia.
More information on the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development is available on the European Commission's website: http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/rural-development-2014-2020/index_lv.htm
Determination of optimal growth conditions for vegetables using the hydroponics growing method with artificial and natural lighting
Project: “Determination of optimal growth conditions for vegetables using the hydroponics growing method with artificial and natural lighting”
Project No. 18-00-A01612-000017
The project is implemented by the EU European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) Latvian Rural Development Program 2014-2020 within the framework of sub-measure 16.1 “Support for the implementation of the European Innovation Partnership project on agricultural productivity and sustainability working groups” of the 16th measure “Cooperation”.
The project is implemented with the aim to study and determine the optimal growing conditions in the covered areas - in greenhouses using the hydroponics growing method of tomato and cucumber varieties grown with artificial and natural light.
Project implementation period: 01.09.2019.-31.08.2021.
Leading partner of the project: University of Latvia, structural unit Institute of Biology
Project partners:
- Ltd. “Getliņi EKO”,
- Farm „Kliģēni”,
- Latvia University of Agriculture, Plant Protection Scientific Institute “Agrihorts”.
Project participants from University of Latvia: leading researcher/scientific coordinator Anita Osvalde, leading researcher Andis Karlsons, leading researcher Gunta Čekstere
Activities planned in the project:
- Research on the role of mineral nutrition in improving the quality of tomatoes and cucumbers, looking for solutions to prevent fruit defects by regulating the supply of nutrients to plants. The project will investigate the mineral nutrition status of tomatoes and cucumbers during the growing season in greenhouses with artificial and natural lighting, summarize and evaluate the results of the chemical composition of the nutrient solution, develop measures to optimize the mineral nutrition conditions of tomatoes and cucumbers.
- Identification of diseases and pests, development of complex solutions for their effective control. The project will include pest monitoring and research on the activity of beneficial insects, identification of pathogens and studies of the effectiveness of promising plant protection products, as well as development of recommendations for plant protection measures. The study will also include biological plant protection products.
- Provision of a production / research platform for the implementation of planned activities in greenhouses. There will be continuous monitoring of all processes in the greenhouse, inventory of yield and non-standard products, implementation of the developed recommendations.
The total budget of the project: total costs 475 035.86 EUR, including EAFRD contribution EUR 427532.27.
LU funding: total costs 90 000.01 EUR, EAFRD funding 81 000.01 (90%) EUR
More information about EAFRD on the European Commission's website
Modernization of winter garlic cultivation for safe harvesting in an organic farm
Project: „Modernization of winter garlic cultivation for safe harvesting in an organic farm”
Project No. 18-00-A01620-000014
The project is implemented by the support of EU European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) Latvian Rural Development Program 2014-2020 within the framework of sub-measure 16.2 “Support for the development of new products, methods, processes and technologies” of the 16th measure “Cooperation”.
The project is implemented with the aim of obtaining regular and high winter garlic yields on an organic farm, using garlic growing in covered areas during the winter and precise technologies for growing in the field.
Project implementation period: 20.08.2018.-27.02.2021.
The participation of the University of Latvia as a partner in the project implementation is planned for 24 months: 20.08.2018.-19.08.2020.
Project partners:
- Farm „Lazdiņas” (leading partner),
- Farm „Mazkūlīši”,
- Institute of Horticulture
- University of Latvia, Institute of Biology.
Project participants from University of Latvia: leading researcher/scientific manager Anita Osvalde, leading researcher Andis Karlsons, leading researcher Gunta Čekstere
Functions and tasks of the University of Latvia in the project
- Development of soil improvement scheme for garlic growing in an organic farm.
- Research on the composition of different substrates for the wintering period of garlic planting material.
- Research on the most suitable substrate composition for growing of garlic planting material in a cassette system.
- Participating in the organization of the Field day
- Participation in the preparation of project reports throughout the project implementation period and in regular communication between project partners
The total budget of the project: 99 971.08 EUR, of which EAFRD funding is 82773.97 EUR.
LU funding: total costs 33227.30 EUR, EAFRD funding 29904.57 (90%) EUR
More information about EAFRD on the European Commission's website
Development of methodology for propagation and cultivation of lingonberry Vaccinium vitis-idaea varieties
Project: “Development of methodology for propagation and cultivation of lingonberry Vaccinium vitis-idaea varieties”
Project No. 18-00-A01620-000011
This project is implementated by the Botanical Garden of the University of Latvia in collaboration with Institute of Biology of the University of Latvia by the support of the EU European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) Latvian Rural Development Program 2014-2020 within the framework of sub-measure 16.2 “Support for the development of new products, methods, processes and technologies” of the 16th measure “Cooperation”.
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