Latvia State Institute of Fruit-Growing

The main aim or the research is the working out and improvement of orchard management technologies for fruit and berry plantations. Trials and observations are performed along the following lines:

Testing of pome and stone fruit rootstocks new in Latvia; testing of dwarfing pear rootstock suitability for use as inter-stocks; trials about the compatibility of the best rootstocks with commercially grown and promising cultivars. Observations about the suitability of rootstocks for different growing conditions are done at farms in different regions of the country.

Studies on the provision of best growing conditions in fruit and berry plantations:

- regulation and maintenance of soil moisture, cultivation of soil in strips, in cooperation with Institute of Water and Soil

- fertilizing and providing of optimal agrochemical conditions to plants, in cooperation with Centre of Agrochemical Research, Laboratory of Agronomical Analyses of the Latvian Agricultural University, Institute of Biology of the University of Latvia etc.

Research in plant protection:

Part of research and observations are done in cooperation with scientists from other institutions: Latvian Plant Protection Research Centre, State Plant Protection Service.

Observations and reconnaissance studies about the suitability of cultivars to different training systems and training time. Growing of berry bushes in espaliers.

Working out of growing systems for new and rare fruit crops (Japanese quince, seabuckthorn, Northern grape).

Integrated fruit production

Integrated fruit production means profitable production of high-quality fruits using environment-friendly growing techniques, reducing the use of chemicals and undesirable by-effects, to ensure the protection of environment and human health.
Economically necessary actions in fruit production must be harmonized with ecologically acceptable methods.
Integrated fruit production (IFP) includes not only production in orchard, but all stages of production, from the choice of location to marketing, and basic principles of IFP must be observed in all stages.

The main tasks in all stages are:

To ensure the obtaining of healthy and high-quality product with minimal pesticide residues,
To perform plant protection according to forecasts and observations based on critical thresholds of harmful organisms,
To preserve and increase biological diversity both in the orchard and around it:
- to avoid pollution of soil, water and air,
- to increase and maintain sustainable fertility of soil,
- to prefer natural factors in the regulation of plant and soil processes,
- to care not only for the fruit plants and environment, but also for the health of the grower, especially when working with chemicals.

Latvian Fruit Growers Association unites integrated growers and represents them at the Ministry of Agriculture and other organizations.