Evaluation of different oat varieties to identify prospective breeding lines for organic agriculture

Implications Prospective oat breeding lines investigated in this study under organic management conditions showed significant variation according to grain quality traits that are important for grain processors such as grain size, test weight (TW), grain grades, groat percentage, groat yield and damaged groats. It shows the possibility to develop improved oat varieties specifically designed for organic agriculture that possesses oat grain processing requirements to obtain qualitative organic oat products

PRODUCTIVITY OF DIFFERENT SOYBEAN CULTIVARS DEPENDING ON METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS AND GROWING MANNER IN LATGALE 2018–2020

In recent decades in Latvia and other European countries increased interest about growing protein-rich crops and especially soybeans (Glycine max). Although soybean cultivation experiments in Latvia have been carried out for some time, there is still insufficient knowledge about cultivating these plants in the country's climatic conditions. A field trials was carried out in 2018, 2019 and 2020 in the Latgale Agricultural Science Centre. The effect of three factors (A: soybean cultivar (A1 — ‘Lajma’, A2 — ‘Laulema’, A3 — ‘Merlin’, A4 — ‘Tiguan’, A5 — ‘Paradis’, A6 — ‘Touttis’); B: sowing rate (B1 — 40, B2 — 50, B3 — 60 germinable seeds per 1 m2); C: row spacing (C1 — 12.5 cm, C2 — 25 cm) on the development and yield formation of soybean was examined. The experiment was carried out in the framework of the project ‘New technologies and important to look for earlier cultivars to avoid farming risks

IMPACT OF CULTIVATION TECHNOLOGIES ON SOYBEAN PRODUCTION AND QUALITY

Legumes are considered the second most important food source after cereals. One of high protein legume – soybeans is new species for growing in Latvia. Biochemical composition of soybeans is variable dependent on varieties, and highly affected by environmental factors, including fertilisation and the presence of Rhizobium bacteria. Therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate a chemical composition of soya (Glycine max L) differently fertilized and grown in different places in Latvia. In this study was evaluated protein, fat, fibre content and yield of soybean variety ’Laulema’ grown at different (F1-F6) fertilisation background in Stende and Vilani. Overall results of a three-year analysis (2018-2020) showed that the protein content of soybean ‘Laulema’ ranged from 31.0 to 38.9%, values of total crude fat ranged from 19.4 to 22.4, but crude fibre 10.5-13.7%. Significant difference was observed among fertilisation background, year and climatic conditions. Soybean productivity depends to a large extent on climatic conditions. Providing favourable conditions for the development of Rhizobium bacteria and the availability of balanced nutrients for plants, soybean yield can reach 2 - 3 t ha-2 also in Latvi

Grain Composition and Functional Ingredients of Barley Varieties Created in Latvia

Cereals, including barley, have been recognised as functional foods that provide beneficial effect on the health of the consumer and decrease the risk of various diseases. The aim of investigation was to determine the grain composition of barley varieties and perspective breeding lines bred in Latvia and to evaluate its functional ingredients. The results of analysis showed that protein content among varieties ranged from 106.6-146.8 g·kg-1, total dietary fibre 187.4-208.2 g·kg-1, β-glucans 42.8 g-49.4 g·kg-1, and amount of α-tocopherol 6.03-8.93 mg·kg-1. The sum of essential amino acids in barley grain samples was from 32.90 g·kg-1 to 38.71 g·kg-1. All varieties of hulled and hulless barley grain were found to be sources of protein with high biological value. Comparison of barley varieties bred in Latvia suggests that variety ‘Kornelija’ outperforms others in protein, dietary fibre and micronutrient content

Variation in β-Glucan, Protein and Fat Concentration of Oats Created in Latvia

Consumption of dietary fibre has potential in improving nutrition and health. For further breeding of oats, it is necessary to increase knowledge on variation in the content of fibre and bioactive components in oats. Therefore, the aim of the present investigation was to study the extent of variation in β-glucan concentration of oats grown in Latvia and to evaluate association of β-glucan concentration with protein and fat concentration in newly created oat breeding lines. In 2015 and 2016, concentration of protein, fat, and β-glucan in grain of hulled oat varieties ‘Laima’, ‘Peppi’, and ten breeding lines was determined. The obtained results showed a wide range of fat concentration among varieties, with a range from 5.9 to 8.3%. The concentration of β-glucan ranged from 1.8 to 3.6% depending on the year. The β-glucan concentration had medium close positive correlation with lipid and weak significant positive correlation with protein concentration, which significantly differed among genotypes

Chemical Composition of Covered and Naked Spring Barley Varieties and Their Potential for Food Production

By developing new varieties suitable for the production of healthy products, given the greater consumer and manufacturer focus on the functional ingredients and nutritional properties of barley, new opportunities to incorporate barley into human foods are created. Therefore, the aim of investigation was to analyze grain composition of barley varieties and perspective breeding lines bred in Latvia and to evaluate its functional ingredients depending on varieties, year and nitrogen fertilizer rates. The content of protein, starch, β-glucans, total dietary fiber, composition of amino acids and α-tocopherol were determined in the studied samples. The results of two-year analysis showed that the protein content in barley grain samples ranged from 10.5 to 13.9%, total dietary fiber – from 18.74 to 20.82%, but the content of β-glucans ranged from 3.44 to 4.97%. The content of α-tocopherol was determined to range from 7.21 to 8.58 mg/kg, and the sum of essential amino acids – from 31.5 to 38.9 g/kg. Although covered barley varieties demonstrated a higher content of such functional ingredients as α-tocopherol, total dietary fiber and β-glucans, naked barley grains had a higher protein content, the sum of essential amino acids, and, particularly lysine, was not far behind the content recommended by nutrition experts