Partners
Latvia University of Agriculture
Latvian Biomedical Research abd Study Centre
Latvian State Forest Research Institute "Silava"
Latvia Research Centre of Plant Protection
The Institute of Organic Synthesis
Pūre Horticulture Research Centre
Latvian Fruitgrowers Association
Latvian Rural Advisory and Training Centre
Cooperation
LOCAL COOPERATION PROJECTS
In the framework of State research programs, ERDF, subsidy and other projects: cooperation with the Latvian University of Agriculture - Institute of Agrobiotechnology and Faculty of Food Technology, with University of Latvia – Faculties of Biology and Chemistry, with Latvian Research and Study Centre of Biomedicine, with in the framework of the research project with Riga Technical University.
Testing of promising fruit crop cultivars and development
of orchard management techniques for commercial growing: in cooperation
with Latvian Plant Protection Research Centre, with Latvian University
of Agriculture - Institute of Mechanization and Institute of Water and
Soil, with farms in different regions of Latvia.
Development
and biochemical evaluation of innovative fruit and berry products: in
cooperation with the Latvian University of Agriculture – Faculty of Food
Technology, with University of Latvia – Faculty of Chemistry, with
Institute of Organic Synthesis and with several fruit and berry
processing enterprises.
Preservation
of fruit crop genetic resources: in cooperation with Genetic Resources
Centre, Latvia State Forestry Science Institute “Silava”, and Pure
Horticultural Research Centre.
PRACTICAL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RESULTS OF RESEARCH
Cooperation with agriculture interest groups in Latvia, as well as with individual enterprises in the field of fruit growing and production of healthy food
Commercial
fruit growing in Latvia, since its beginning in 1990-ties, has always
been based on the scientific research done at he Institute, as well as
the know-how and long-term experience of the Institute staff, obtained
in variety studies, development of modern Technologies for fruit growing
and processing and in wide international cooperation.
The
Institute (Dobele HPBES) in 1998 was the initiator in the forming of the
Latvian Fruit growers Association (LFGA)
Latvian Fruitgrowers Association, with which it has close cooperation.
Researchers of the Institute are in the Board of LFGA and active
participants and organizers of different activities (seminars, lectures,
exhibitions and Farmers Days). Through the Association, the newest
information obtained in scientific research is passed over to growers.
Scientists give consultations at the Institute, as well as during field
visits to farms.
Following
the recommendation of the Institute (Dobele HPBES), in 2000 a fruit
grower consulting group was organized at the
Latvian Rural Advisory and Training
Centre (LRATC). The advisors regularly
received the newest research results from the Institute. The Institute
scientists also participate in activities organized by Department of
Agriculture and consulting bureaus in different regions of Latvia.
Institute (Dobele HPBES) in 2002 started cooperation with Latvian
supermarkets in the sale of fruits, in 2003 the sale was handed over to
the fruit growers cooperative “Lieldārzi”.
Since
1999 close cooperation has developed with fruit and berry processing
enterprises in Latvia and Sweden. Several market-oriented and
international research projects have been carried out resulting in new
products which have already been introduced into production and are sold
in shops.
In
cooperation with the Latvia Ministry of Agriculture a system of
production trials of fruit varieties (including organic growing) at
farms has been developed. LSIFG does the collecting of data and
publishes the results.
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION PROJECTS
At present Institute participates in 6 international projects:
„Characterization of the Latvian and Swedish sweet and sour cherry
genetic resources using molecular markers” (in cooperation with
Swedish Agricultural University and Chair of Horticulture, Michigan
State University, USA).
„Evaluation
of Northern American apple rootstocks” (in cooperation with Iowa State
University, USA).
COST projekts „Bacterial diseases of stone fruits and nuts”
(2006.-2011.),
EUREKA project „Functional food ingredients from plant products”
(2006-2008) in cooperation with Lithuanian and Serbian scientists,
EU funded project
„Core collection of Northern European gene pool of Ribes„ (RIBESCO)
(2007 - 2011),
Exchange if breeding material and scientific information with research
institutions: Lithuanian Institute of Horticulture, Babtai; Institute of
Horticulture and Breeding, Holovousy, Czech Republic; Horticulture
Research Centre Ullensvang, Norway; Polli Horticultural Research Centre,
Estonia; Institute of Fruit Growing, Republic of Belarus; Institute of
Pomology and Floriculture, Skierniewice, Poland, etc.
In total the scientists of our Institute actively participate in different level research projects in cooperation with over 24 research institutions in Europe, USA and Canada. Since 2002 Institute represents Latvia in EUFRIN - European Fruit Research Institute Network. Since 2001 Institute (Dobele HPBES) is a member of IPGRI - International Plant Genetic Resources Institute, ECPGR - European cooperative programme for crop genetic resources networks Prunus, Malus un Pyrus working groups. For 10 years the Institute (Dobele HPBES) scientists are active members of ISHS - International Society for Horticultural Science and EUCARPIA - European association for research on plant breeding.