The Influence Of Cultivation System On Biochemical Content Of Strawberry Fruits

Three cultivars ‘Zefyr’, ‘Honoeoye’ and ‘Polka’ were grown on beds mulched with black plastic or without it, as well as in low tunnels covered by transparent polyethylene film or Agronet (Pegas agro, 17 g·m-2), or without covering. The quality of fruits determined by content of ascorbic acid, titratable acidity, soluble solids, total content of phenolics and anthocyanins, antiradical activity, and radical scavenging activity (RSA) was evaluated during two seasons. Significant differences in phytochemical contents within strawberry cultivars, production seasons and cultivation methods were stated. Cultivar had the greatest influence on the content of ascorbic acid, total phenolics and RSA among all the studied factors. The amount of anthocyanins was mainly influenced by plant covering, while the annual climatic conditions had the greatest impact on the amount of titratable acidity and soluble solids. Soil mulching had the lowest influence on the chemical content of fruits

Risks and returns in strawberry, raspberry and cherry production with various methods

Horticultural production in Latvia has always been subject to numerous and diverse risks similar to other branches of crop plant production in Latvia. On the other hand, the climate of Latvia is favourable for plant crop growing but the value of production depends on climatic condition as well as field management and competence of the farmers. The markets of inputs used in strawberry, raspberry, and cherry farming have a direct impact on risks through unexpected rise in prices. Similarly, returns from horticultural outputs are affected by high volatility of fresh farm produce markets. Besides that, growers face the inevitable yield risks induced by adverse weather conditions, pests, and diseases. There are a few systems used in production of strawberries, raspberries, and cherries - extensive and intensive growing both in open and covered areas. These methods vary by the level of risks and necessary investments. The production of berries and stone fruit in areas covered by polyethylene tunnels is expanding. The tunnel method of production provides better climatic conditions and reduces the damage by pests and diseases, thus, contributing to a longer and more predictable shelf life of the fruit. Production in tunnels extend the harvest season. High tunnels, in turn, can advance harvest dates earlier. Beyond the normal season, there is less competition and producer prices can be set higher. The aim of the study is the assessment of general risks in strawberry, raspberry, and cherry production, risks in production with various methods at farm level and evaluation of the tradeoffs among farming risks and expected returns

Projekto "RIBESCO" sukurta bendra Šiaurės Europos Ribes genties genofondo kolekcija

The RIBESCO project, partly funded by the European Community, has been designed to improve the level of characterisation and conservation of the Northern European Ribes germplasm, currants and gooseberry, utilising coordinated, international achievements. A core collection of the Northern European Ribes germplasm will be established and preserved with special intensity. In the first phase, the Ribes germplasm conserved in the national ex situ collections is subjected to phenotypic characterisation using internationally defined descriptors. Information obtained will be saved in a database and it will be used to select material to the Ribes core collection and to define the part of germplasm that will be identified using molecular markers. The data of molecular identification provide a suggestion for an optimal core collection, representing a maximum amount of genetic variation, with true-to-type varieties selected and duplicated accessions uncovered. The selection of the most valuable genotypes is also based on agronomic, historical or other important cultural values. The decentralised Ribes core collection is established to assure the preservation of selected germplasm, each plant accession to be conserved as safety duplicates. For conservation, both ex situ field collections, in vitro slow-growth collections and cryopreservation long-term collections are established. Easy-access documentation will be a part of the activity. The project promotes Ribes genetic material transfer and use on a whole European scale

RIBESCO project creates a core collection of the Northern European gene pool of Ribes

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A multinational approach for conserving the European genetic resources of currants and gooseberry

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A multinational approach to conserve the european genetic resources of currants and gooseberry

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