2023, Vol. 21, No. 3

Selle kollektsiooni püsiv URIhttp://hdl.handle.net/10492/8782

Sirvi

Nüüd näidatakse 1 - 20 33

Sustainable power generation expansion with RES and energy storage
(Estonian University of Life Sciences, 2023) Karapidakis, E.; Kikaki, A.; Mozakis, J.
Several island power systems have a tremendous protentional for RES use. Nevertheless, present infrastructures and system operations emerge with limitations, preventing the technology from further exploitation. Specifically, this paper presents and analyzes a representative interconnected island power system operation and highlights the benefits and challenges of embedding an ultra-high share of RES. This level of power and energy penetration could be technically feasible, taking into account interconnections and electricity storage systems, which could provide under specific implementation strategies advantages in stability, reliability, and energy adequacy.
Life cycle assessment of fish feed for oil alternatives - environmental impact of microalgae, rapeseed and fish oil
(Estonian University of Life Sciences, 2023) Zlaugotne, B.; Diaz Sanchez, F.; Pubule, J.; Blumberga, D.
Fish is an inexpensive source of high-quality protein as well as valuable micronutrients. Increasing the volume of fish and producing more fish feed is necessary to ensure the necessary consumption. One of the main components of fish feed is oil, the most crucial lipid source in fish feed. Fish oil is easily digestible and contains essential fatty acids, but replacing fish oil with alternative oil might make the fish feed more sustainable. Vegetable oils can replace fish oil due to reduced costs due to continued growth in production volumes, high availability and better economic value. Soy, linseed, rapeseed, sunflower, palm and olive oils are often used in fish feed. Also, microalgae oil is rich in essential fatty acids and a long-lasting alternative to fish oil. Important is not only the environmental impact of oil alternatives but also how these alternatives maintain or even improve the overall composition and quality of fish feed and products. An LCA assessment was performed to determine the environmental impact of microalgae, rapeseed oil, and fish oil. Where LCA system boundaries are “cradle to gate” and a functional unit of 1 kg of oil. LCA inventory is data from a literature review and SimaPro Ecoinvent database. The results obtained from LCA are based on PEFCR impact assessment categories. The LCA results show that the single score value for microalgae oil is 1.00E+00 mPt, for rapeseed oil 3.55E-01 mPt and fish oil 1.61E-01 mPt. It should be noted that the comparison presented reflects a generic comparison of alternatives, as the input data is derived from the literature analysis and the Ecoinvent v3.8 database.
Trends in milk yield productivity and emissions from the dairy sector in Latvia
(Estonian University of Life Sciences, 2023) Paura, L.; Berzina, L.; Degola, L.; Aplocina, E.; Kairisa, D.; Jonkus, D.; Skiste, O.
Dairy cow productivity continuously increased in Latvia in recent years. Despite decreasing numbers of dairy cow population dairy farms have been identified as an important source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Dairy sector emissions create the largest share of enteric fermentation emissions as well as emissions from manure in housing facilities, during long-term storage and field application within agriculture sector total emissions. The main objective of this study is to present the results of trend analysis in the productivity of the dairy sector and corresponding emission in Latvia. Research is focused on analysis of dairy cow productivity and feeding strategies to quantify the effect of increasing milk yield on GHG emissions. In the framework of this research, emissions were calculated and evaluated for low and high productivity dairy cows according to the methodology of ‘2019 Refinement to the 2006 Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories’. During the last decade dairy cow productivity in Latvia has increased and the average milk yield in standard lactation was 8,320 kg per year in 2021. It was observed that 60% of the total number of dairy cows met the requirements of a high-productivity system, while 40% of the dairy cows belonged to low-productivity systems in Latvia. Research results show that total GHG emissions for high-productivity system can reach 5.3 kt CO2 eq. per 1,000 cows per year, however, for low-productivity system the total amount of emissions does not exceed 3.1 kt CO2 eq. per 1,000 cows.
Isolation and study of a bioactive extract enriched with anthocyanin from red grape pomace (Cabernet Sauvignon)
(Estonian University of Life Sciences, 2023) Shakiryanova, Z.; Khegay, R.; Gayibov, U.; Saparbekova, A.; Konarbayeva, Z.; Latif, A.; Smirnova, O.
Grape pomace is a natural product rich in dietary fibers, polyphenols and anthocyanidins. By their chemical composition, secondary products from grape processing are valuable raw materials for obtaining a variety of new products. Recently, in food biotechnology, fermented and unfermented grape pomace have undergone a deeper study of the role of additives in dry powders or extracts. The quality and biological value of natural food products are determined by their chemical composition and a whole complex of integral organoleptic properties that depend on this composition. Natural anthocyanin dyes not only give color to vegetable raw materials, but also have a well-known physiological activity, in particular, coloring and antioxidant. Purified natural dyes have recently been increasingly used to improve the consumer properties of food products, in biologically active additives, in pharmaceutical preparations for the treatment and prevention of various diseases. At the same time, the composition of anthocyanins, even for the same variety of plant raw materials, is complex and variable; it depends on climatic conditions, on the maturity of berries, root crops, and the quality of agricultural work. Anthocyanins easily undergo a number of transformations depending on the conditions of extraction and analysis. The originality and novelty of the isolation and production of biologically active extracts with antiradical properties from by-products of local wineries in ecologically safe areas of southern Kazakhstan lies in the fact that natural environmental conditions: high temperatures and low humidity which contribute to the formation of biologically active substances with increased concentrations. Current research was aimed at the deep study of extracts from grape pomace rich - anthocyanins. Red grape pomaces of Vitis vinifera L. Cabernet Sauvignon were extracted using a solvent-based (SE) method with concentrations of 70% v/v and solid/liquid ratios of 1:10, followed by incubation at three different temperatures of 30 °C, 40 °C, and 50 °C for 1 h, 2 h, 3 h, and 4 h. All solvent extracts showed higher amounts of anthocyanin pigments. The maximum yield was obtained by using the optimal time of extraction (2 h at 50 °C), with the highest total anthocyanin recovery obtained by means of 70% ethanol. The anti-radical and toxic effects of the obtained extract (anthocyanin) were studied.
Spatial disparity and environmental issues of organic agriculture
(Estonian University of Life Sciences, 2023) Ušča, M.; Ieviņa, L.; Lakovskis, P.
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.
The impact of training on safety performance in agriculture: A scoping review
(Estonian University of Life Sciences, 2023) Vaher, Ragne; Merisalu, Eda; Estonian University of Life Sciences. Institute of Forestry and Engineering. Chair of Biosystems Engineering
The aim of the study was to analyse the effectiveness of occupational health and safety (OHS) training methods on safety behaviour of farmers and agricultural workers based on literature results. The scoping review intends to find out the main gaps in teaching methodology influencing safety performance of employers and employees in agriculture. A systematic search of literature with help of predefined search strings (agriculture, education, effectiveness, farmer, farm worker, intervention, safety, training) in two literature databases (Scopus, EBSCO) was carried out. It was analysed, how effectively different training methods improved safety awareness and performance of farmers, students and employees. The strength of the evidence on training’s effectiveness was assessed for existence of control or comparison group, pre- and post-testing, follow-up testing, statistical significance testing, clear methodology description and thorough study overview were presented. In the primary literature research, 276 articles were identified. A total of 224 articles were left after the exclusion of redundant publications. After the abstracts’ screening 52 publications met the eligibility criteria. After the full text screening by two independent researchers additionally 33 studies were excluded, and in total 19 studies entered into the data charting process. The articles were assessed as medium (n = 8) and high (n = 8) in terms of strength of evidence. According to the review results, the training methods used in the agricultural sector have shown as effective due to the safety awareness and risk behavior among the trainees improved, but new OHS knowledge after training need to be engaged and regularly updated.
Simultaneous nutrient and organic matter removal from wastewater by aerobic granular sludge process
(Estonian University of Life Sciences, 2023) Denisova, V.; Kokina, K.; Gruskevica, K.; Mezule, L.
Aerobic granular sludge (AGS) technology offers several benefits, such as simultaneous removal of nutrients and organic matter from wastewater, stronger granule structure, excellent settleability, and high resistance to toxicity. However, the formation of granules can take a long time and needs to be dense and stable. In this study, the formation of aerobic granules in sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) using a granular activated carbon (GAC) and aluminium sulphate coagulant were evaluated for the simultaneous removal of nutrient (phosphorus (TP) and nitrogen (TN)) and organic matter (chemical oxygen demand (COD)) from wastewater. The reactors were continuously operated for 107 days and were fed with synthetic media and real domestic sewage. However, adaptation process with the synthetic wastewater led to relatively slow granulation process (sedimentation rate of sludge flocks was 3 m h-1 ). During the experiments, there was no visible formation of granules in SBRs based on the analysis of the sludge samples, only the formation of aggregate structures similar to flocks. However, the results showed that total phosphorus (TP) removal efficiency was over 90% in SBR operated with aluminium sulphate. However, COD and total nitrogen (TN) removals were higher in GAC SBR, 75% and 10%, respectively. Thus, even if granules are not developed yet, the system is working efficiently. The results of this study could be useful in the development of AGS technology for full-scale wastewater treatment plant.
Effect of new biologically active feed ingredient - potassium humate on productivity and milk quality of dairy cows
(Estonian University of Life Sciences, 2023) Nolberga-Trupa, A.; Ruska, D.; Grandbergs, G.
In animal feeding, the use of effective bioactive feed additives of natural origin, which have a stimulatory effect on the digestive and metabolic processes in an animal organism, while maximally maintaining the conditions for a healthy rumen environment, in combination with an environmentally friendly and economically beneficial agricultural production process, is being studied. Humates can play an important role in addressing this problem. Therefore, a study with Holstein-Friesian Black-and-White cows was carried out on the farm ‘Dukati’, Vitinu Parish, Auce Municipality, to understand the effect of potassium humate on the productivity and milk quality of dairy cows. Animals were selected for the research and assigned by the analogy principle to two treatment groups: trial and control; each group consisted of 15 dairy cows. The dairy cows were kept in free stall barns. The animals were provided with all welfare requirements according to the guidelines. During the trial, a decrease in productivity in both groups of cows was observed, but this decrease was slower in the trial group - by 6 kg ECM, compared to the beginning of the trial. During the trial, the milk composition, according to its fat and lactose content, was similar for cows of both groups. The protein content in the milk of the cows of both groups differed (P < 0.05). In the trial cow group, the protein content in milk increased by 0.15%, but the urea content in the milk decreased by 0.96 mg dL-1 , and somatic cell count by 180 thsd mL-1 compared to the beginning of the trial.
Compost barn system and its influence on the environment, comfort and welfare of dairy cattle
(Estonian University of Life Sciences, 2023) Nepomuceno, G.L.; Cecchin, D.; Damasceno, F.A.; Amaral, P.I.S.; Caproni, V.R.; Rossi, G.; Bambi, G.; Ferraz, P.F.P.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the thermal environment on behavioral and physiological parameters of crossbred cows of different productivity levels confined in a compost barn system. For this, air temperature (Tdb) and relative humidity (RH) data were measured using sensors/registers and wind speed (Vair) was recorded with the aid of an anemometer. Subsequently, these data were used to calculate the Temperature and Humidity Index (THI). Bedding material variables (pH and humidity) were also evaluated. The animals were evaluated for physiological variables (respiratory rate – RR and surface temperature – ST), scores (body condition, locomotion and dirt) and behavior. The analyses were carried out on two groups of cows (Group 1: high production vs. Group 2: medium and low production). The average pH of the bedding material was 8.5, within the recommended range. In the case of the physiological responses of the cows, the respiratory rate (RR) of Group 1 indicated better conditions of thermal comfort in the morning vs. the afternoon. The system was efficient in both groups based on body condition score, indicating favorable conditions for the health of the animals. Regarding the behavioral evaluation, Group 1 and 2 were statistically similar and had the longest rumination times, in relation to the other evaluated behaviors. Regarding active periods, medium production were the most active. Regarding idle time, low production spent more time idle than the other animals.
Determination of tomato quality with hyperspectral imaging
(Estonian University of Life Sciences, 2023) Alsiņa, I.; Dūma, M.; Dubova, L.; Alksnis, R.; Dučkena, L.; Erdberga, I.; Harbovska, T.; Avotiņš, A.
Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.) are a widely used vegetable in the human diet throughout the year, both fresh and in various processed products. Tomatoes contain compounds important to human health and are an important source of vitamins, antioxidants, and mineral elements. Performing biochemical analyses is an expensive, environmentally unfriendly and time-consuming process; therefore, a way to determine the biochemical composition of tomatoes using non-destructive methods is being sought. The study includes 45 varieties of tomatoes with different colors - red, pink, orange, brown, yellow, and bicolor tomato fruits. The content of dry matter, soluble dry matter, titratable acidity, lycopene, β-carotene, total phenol, and flavonoids was determined by standard biochemical procedure. Reflectance spectrums of tomato fruits were obtained with Remote Sensing Portable Spectroradiometer RS-3500 (Ltd. Spectral Evolution, Haverhill, MA, USA) at the wavelength 350–2,500 nm with a 1 nm interval. In order to determine the content of various biochemical parameters in tomatoes, the vegetation indices found in the literature were used, and new ones were developed. The research demonstrated that the developed vegetative indices allow to detect lycopene and β-carotene content non-destructively. For the determination of the dry matter, soluble solids and phenolic content, indices designed for detecting water content can be used, but their correlation coefficients with chemical methods are moderately high - 0.65, 0.56 and 0.57, respectively. It was found that the best correlation between biochemically detected parameters and vegetation indices is for lycopene > β-carotene > dry matter> total phenols = titratable acidity ≥ soluble solids > taste index > flavonoids.
The laboratory estimation of essential oils as biological methods against black cherry aphids M. cerasi
(Estonian University of Life Sciences, 2023) Eisa, M.A.S.; Matsera, O.; Cagáň, Ľ.
Plants' essential oils play a considerable role in the plant integrated protection systems against harmful insects. Therefore the aim of our study was to find the potential repellency and toxicity effects of essential oils (EOs) from Allium sativum L., Ocimum basilicum L., Lavandula angustifolia Mill, Eucalyptus globulus, Labill and Curcuma longa L., and two chemical substances DEET (N, N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide) and 2-Undecanone on the black cherry aphids Myzus cerasi. Repellent peculiarities were evaluated at five different concentrations: 0.3%, 0.6%, 0.9%, 1.2% and 1.5%, with 4 replications at the interim of 15 and 30 minutes for an olfactometer test and mortality was evaluated after 2, 6 and 24 hours for insecticidal activity test. The repellent index was most influenced by the concentration of essential oil; the percentage of influence was 64%. At the same time, the highest repellency index 95% was achieved at a concentration of 1.5% when using essential oils of A. sativum and E. globulus, as well as when using 2-Undecanone within 30 minutes of waiting. A contact toxicity (mortality) test in Petri dishes showed efficacy for all tested oils and chemicals after a 6-hour treatment period. The lowest concentration that ensured 100% insect mortality was 0.9% when using E. globulus essential oil. The lowest lethal concentration (LC50) value of 0.00240 mL/10 mL was obtained with O. basilicum oil and the lowest LC98 value of 0.28209 mL/10 mL was obtained with E. globulus oil after a 6-hour treatment period.
IoT and measurement of fermentation process of rice wine
(Estonian University of Life Sciences, 2023) Vošahlík, J.
The article deals with the fermentation process of rice wine and obtaining data during fermentation with the help of IoT, developed and implemented stirrer. Stirrer was printed by 3D printer. The process of converting D-glucose into ethanol together with the oxidation of reduced coenzymes is called fermentation. Ethanol fermentation takes place anaerobically, i.e., without access to air with the help of yeast. The fermentation process is gradually being improved with the help of acquired sensor data and the gradual possibility of automation. The main objective of this paper is to develop an experimental environment for measuring rice wine fermentation processes with the help of IoT. During the fermentation of rice wine, there are measurable attributes that can be measured with the help of sensors. These attributes affecting the final product quality, positively but also negatively (pH, temperature, humidity, etc.). It is therefore necessary to select a given sensor that can monitor the attributes and then devices that can then manage and evaluate it. the correct selection and use of sensors and computing equipment, the acquisition and processing of data and the application of the resulting values to fermentation procedures, the resulting product quality increases.
Bioenergy transition as a strategic mechanism to diversify energy sources in rural areas in Colombia
(Estonian University of Life Sciences, 2023) Villegas, S.; Rocha-Meneses, Lisandra; Luna-del Risco, M.; Arroyave, C.; Arrieta, C.; Arredondo, C.
The growth in population has resulted in an increase in the consumption of goods and services, which has led to a surge in waste generation and the use of fossil fuels. To mitigate the envi-ronmental issues associated with improper waste management and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels, residual organic matter can be used to produce bioenergy in the form of biogas and biomethane through anaerobic digestion (AD). These biofuels can act as substitutes for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and natural gas (NG) and can be utilized for power and heat generation. In Colombia, the current production of biogas is 4 MW, and the government aims to increase its utilization by promoting the inclusion of biogas and biomethane in the energy matrix through a supportive regulatory framework. Studies suggest that the theoretical energy potential of livestock waste in Colombia is estimated to be 2,673 MW, but the current technological conditions allow for the utilization of only 198 MW, with the pork sector contributing 34%. This study examines the legal context and the present state of biogas in the Colombian energy matrix, while exploring the potential of the Colombian pig farming sector for biogas production. The social, economic, and environmental barriers and opportunities faced by this sector in becoming an energy producer during the transition period are also identified. The findings suggest that biogas presents a sustainable energy solution for rural areas of Colombia where pig farming is a prominent economic activity. Biogas can replace traditional fuels like LPG and firewood for cooking purposes or serve as a complementary source for electricity and thermal energy production in non-interconnected zones. This could mitigate environmental issues and reduce the prevalence of respiratory diseases associated with the use of firewood.
Assessment of ‘Complex–co’ preparation efficiency for some cereal crops growth stimulation
(Estonian University of Life Sciences, 2023) Martirosyan, H.S.; Mikaelyan, A.R.; Asatryan, N.L.; Babayan, B.G.
The problem of obtaining environmentally friendly products, which are free from unwanted compounds that are harmful for human health like residual nitrates is very actual. The solution to this problem should be started from the initial stage of crop cultivation: seed disinfection. For that goal the new organic origin preparation ‘Complex-Co’ was used. In current paper the effect of a new plant growth stimulation preparation of complex influence ‘ComplexCo’, was studied on cereal crops cultivation. It was produced by the acidic processing of winemaking waste product: the natural cream of tartar. Unlike the high risk classical organic and inorganic fertilizers, ‘Complex-Co’ preparation is based on absolutely vital compounds and can be considered ecologically safe. It contains: amino derivatives of natural tartaric acid (TA), coalmine and micro-nutrient elements, which provide the target properties and improve soil behavior. The effect of ‘Complex-Co’ preparation was studied on three common agricultural crops: barley, emmer and triticale. As a result of the experiments and field-trials it was proved as an effective preparation for root and foliar nutrition of crops. After the usage of the elaborated preparation the significant growth stimulation effect was observed for all the tested cereal crops. Also, the disinfection effect of ‘Complex-Co’ preparation was observed for the seeds of the tested plants. The preparation is being recommended for the further research of its effect on various plants cultivation in farms, greenhouses and orangeries.
Fixed-time artificial insemination in the bovine ‘Lydia Brava dos Açores’ using frozen semen
(Estonian University of Life Sciences, 2023) Faria, N.; Pacheco-Lima, J.; Valadão, L.; Moreira da Silva, M.H.; Moreira Silva, F.
The present study was designed to evaluate the use of estrus synchronization and fixedtime artificial insemination (FTAI) after synchronization of ovulation in the bovine Lidia cattle called ‘Brava dos Açores’. For such purpose, a total of 70 females was submitted to FTAI after a CIDR®-Cosynch synchronization protocol, in which on Day 0, a progesterone-impregnated internal controlled release drug (CIDR®) was inserted intravaginally, and GnRH was administered intramuscularly. After 5 or 7 days, respectively for heifers or cows, PGF2α was administered and the CIDR® removed, being the artificial insemination performed after 60 hours only once using straws containing 50 million mL of spermatozoa per straw. Before starting synchronization, all animals were vaccinated against several diseases, and only females negative for IBR/BVD, Trichomoniasis, Brucellosis, Leucosis and Campylobacteriosis were selected to be used in the experiment. Pregnancy diagnoses were performed, by ultrasonography. During the experiment, females took a routine course, to reduce the stress during the different procedures such as to place and remove the implants and the artificial insemination, because as they are known to be quite nervous, it can seriously impair seriously the results. In general, 64% of the cows became pregnant vs 40% for heifers, which can be considered satisfactory considering the nature of inseminated cattle. It can be, thus, concluded that the animal’s correct management, as well as the use of the presented protocols are fundamental to achieve the success of this technique, so that the use of these protocols and animal’s management when inseminating this type of animals is strongly recommended.
Nutritional, physical and sensory quality of gingerbread prepared using different sweeteners
(Estonian University of Life Sciences, 2023) Ivanišová, E.; Mošaťová, D.; Hlaváčová, Z.; Hlaváč, P.; Kunecová, D.; Gálik, B.; Čech, M.; Harangozo, Ľ.; Kubiak, P.
The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of replacing refined beet sucrose in gingerbread with different types of sweeteners (cane sugar, sorbitol, xylitol, maple syrup). The content of fat, dry matter, dietary fibre, ash, crude protein, amino acids, selected microelements, and caloric value were determined. Organoleptic and dimensional (3D-analysis) properties were also evaluated. The fat content in samples ranged from 11.13% to 11.97%, crude fibre content - from 0.53% to 0.55%, ash content - from 0.72% to 1.06%, and crude protein - from 7.92% to 8.12%. The analysis of amino acids revealed that glutamic acid was dominant in the samples with its concentration ranging from 19.14 mg g-1 (control sample) to 23.88 mg g-1 (sample with maple syrup). The caloric value was the highest in the control sample which contained sucrose from sugar beet and the one containing xylitol (~4,480 cal g-1 ). The lowest - in the sample with maple syrup (4,247 cal g-1 ). The total content of selected microelements determined in the tested samples with atomic absorption spectrometry (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Co, Ni, Cr, Cd and Pb) were within the limits permitted by the regulations of the Slovak legislation. The 3D analysis of samples with Volscan Profiler indicated that volume, width and height was better in the samples with sweeteners than in the control sample. The gingerbread with xylitol had best organoleptic properties, as evaluated by sensory panellists.
Problems and prospects of sugar beet cultivation in Kazakhstan
(Estonian University of Life Sciences, 2023) Khusnitdinova, M.; Abdrakhmanova, A.; Pozharskiy, A.; Kapytina, A.; Kerimbek, N.; Nizamdinova, G.; Taskuzhina, A.; Adilbayeva, K.; Kolchenko, M.; Gritsenko, D.
Purpose - to ensure the food security of Kazakhstan, domestic sugar industry should aim at a significant reduction in import dependence and transition to self-sufficiency. The share of domestic sugar from sugar beet in Kazakhstan is 7%. Design/methodology/approach - review indicating the main problems in the sugar beet production in Kazakhstan for the purpose of reimagining the domestic sugar beet industry to reduce dependence on sugar import. We analyzed the dynamics of sugar beet cultivation in Kazakhstan over the past 20 years and detected a sharp reduction in the sugar beet production. Findings - we have identified 10 problems in sugar beet production in Kazakhstan and determined the necessary targeted solutions. We consider the main direction to be the development of scientific methodology for sugar beet production (breeding of new highly productive disease-resistant cultivars, improvement of sugar beet protection system, efficient crop rotation). The most notable problems included in this paper are small-scale marketability of sugar beet farms, infectious diseases of sugar beet, water supply shortages, use of outdated agricultural technologies, high cost of imported sugar beet seeds. Originality/value - The present paper includes a full analysis of current problems in sugar beet production in Kazakhstan.
Analysis of scrapie resistance and productivity of Latvian dark head breed old type sheep compliant to the conservation program of the genetic resources
(Estonian University of Life Sciences, 2023) Bārzdiņa, D.; Kairiša, D.
Since 2002, the European Union has implemented a disease surveillance programme for transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) in small ruminants, which can cause very high economic losses to sheep farmers worldwide. In order to detect susceptibility to this fatal sheep disease, surveillance of this disease has been carried out in Europe for several years. Such a programme was introduced in Latvia in 2004 when the country joined the European Union, so Latvia has been monitoring this potential disease for several years. As this fatal disease has not been detected in Latvia, only a few studies have been conducted on scrapie genotypes in the Latvian Dark Head sheep breed and their effect on sheep productivity traits. The aim of the study was to analyse the productivity of the first lambs of Latvian Dark Head sheep in relation to the scrapie genotype. According to the data analysis, a total of 1531 or 97.7% of the ewes with R1, R2 and R3 scrapie genotypes can be used for future sheep breeding. The average age of all ewes included in the Programme was 5 years and the average fertility was 1.8 lambs. Later in the work, 1,335 Latvian Dark Head ewes with 100% bloodiness were analysed and the average fertility of ewes in the R1 and R3 scrapie genotype groups was 1.6 lambs and 1.7 lambs for ewes in the R2 risk group. In the last 10 years, the implementation of the conservation programme of the old type Latvian Dark Head sheep breed has been successful.
Effect of sapropel fertilizer on the quality of the yield of some field crops
(Estonian University of Life Sciences, 2023) Zarina, L.; Cerina, S.; Proskina, L.
Sapropel is specific water body sediments containing a high level of organic matter formed from remains of water biota mixed with mineral components. One of the most promising utilisation ways of sapropel is agriculture where it can be used as soil amendment to improve soil physical properties and thus obtain economically viable and high quality yield of field crops. For three years the experiments were conducted at Priekuli Research Centre of the Institute of Agricultural Resources and Economics. Dehydrated sapropel mass from Lake Bizas was studied as soil biological fertilizer to determine its suitability for use in field crop production. Researches were carried out in organic crop rotation, in the fields of potato, winter rye and field bean. Three different doses of sapropel fertilizer were applied. During the three-year period (2020–2022), the yield indicators of the plant species included in the study were evaluated, and the quality of the yield of these species was assessed. The results of research confirm the positive effect of sapropel on yield quality indicators - protein (field beans), starch (potatoes) falling number and 1,000 seed mass (winter rye).
Sleep hygiene and psycho-emotional load for office employees
(Estonian University of Life Sciences, 2023) Stelle, S.; Freiberga, P.; Kalkis, H.; Roja, Z.
The development of technology and changes in the world have dramatically increased the psycho-emotional risk exposure for office employees. At the work with computer and digital devices in the offices, employees are exposed to several risk factors of the work environment and one of the most frequent complaints is psycho-emotional load caused by various issues. There is no denying that sleep is one of the basic human needs, and sleep quality is important for maintaining and preserving good health and wellbeing. Sleep hygiene includes a set of various measures, such as the regularity of waking up and going to bed, that can affect and improve the quality of sleep. Sleep quality is closely related to mental health, as poor mental health can negatively affect sleep quality and vice versa. Reduced psycho-emotional load is associated with better sleep hygiene and also good sleep hygiene is associated with reduced psycho-emotional load. Health promotion measures and a work environment that supports sleep health could reduce psycho-emotional load experienced by employees, increase work ability, productivity and reduce the risk of accidents at the workplace. The aim of this study was to investigate psycho-emotional load and sleep hygiene importance for office employees.

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