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Peat is one of the most important natural resources in Latvia. Peat extraction in Latvia occurs mainly from raised bogs (high bogs) and represents an important economic sector, mainly focused on horticulture. Of the total affected area, which exceeds 50 thousand hectares, approximately 18 thousand hectares are no longer actively exploited and require management, renaturalization or recultivation. Since the main tool for preventing rapid degradation of cutover peat soils is vegetation restoration, one of the scenar...

Cloudberry is a perspective berry crop for extracted peat bog recultivation in Latvia. The study aimed to assess the effect of different fertiliser doses on cloudberry variety Nyby vitality. In 2023, cloudberries were propagated and in September planted outside into outdoor flower beds (24 pots in each bed) with milled raw peat. The beds were separated into four treatments with different doses of complex fertiliser 12-8-16 with micronutrients: control C, N12, N24, and N36 (respectively, 0, 12, 24, and 36 kg ha-1 o...

The cultivation of American cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton) with organic fertilizers is becoming more common in the world. With 180 ha of producing plantings and 376 tonnes of yearly production, Latvia is one of the largest cranberry producers in the world. The lack of knowledge on fertilization management can be an obstacle to a successful transition to organic farming. The objective of this study was to test the effect of organic fertilizer of animal origin on cranberry mineral nutrition status, plant ...

The industrial cultivation of American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton) in Latvia was started during last 20 years with total plantings of more than 125 ha today. As a native wetland plant, commonly cranberries grows on poor, acid soils and are characterized as nutrients low requiring crop, however, balanced plant nutrition is vitally important to realize the full potential of cranberries as crop, to ensure adequate growth and yield production. Previous results obtained by authors from different cranberry p...

Soilless hydroponic cultivation of cucumbers (Cucumis sativus L.) has expanded rapidly during the last few decades. One of the key factors in achieving high productivity in industrial greenhouses is the choice of growing medium. Rockwool has become dominant, especially in Europe. However, in addition to energy consumption during production, landfilling of rockwool as a non-biodegradable material is expensive and poses an environmental risk. Therefore, there is increasing use of organic substrates in the soilless c...

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is among the main bulbous vegetable known worldwide for both economic and health value. The research was conducted in the framework of the project on the modernization of winter garlic cultivation to ensure guaranteed yield in the organic production system. The new technology is designed to prevent the effects of unfavourable soil and climatic conditions on the rooting and wintering ability of garlic ? factors that significantly affect the garlic production in Latvia. Field studies were ...

One of the most widespread acidophilic fruit crops in Latvia is highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.). The first commercial plantings were established at the beginning of 2000th, and in 2016 the blueberry orchards exceeded 290 ha. In general, blueberry is a highly specialized crop that has definite soil agrochemical prerequisites. In Latvia, highbush blueberries are cultivated in extracted raised bogs on peat soil, as well as on mineral soils with high organic matter content. Unlike most fruits, blueberries...