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Basic Biological Research For Horticulture Science

Goal – to acquire new knowledge through scientific methods thus facilitating sustainable development of the scientific discipline of horticulture and sectors related to it, such as biology, chemistry, food science, by creating an informative base for applied research.


Priority research topics :

  • Introduction and application of latest methods in genetics and biotechnology for research and breeding of horticultural crops in Latvia;
  • Research in molecular genetics on interaction mechanisms between horticultural crops and abiotic and biotic stress factors, development of resistance-specific molecular markers (apple, pear scab), research on the genetic and biological aspects of the interaction between horticultural crop pathogens and host plants during storage (apples and pears);
  • Development and adaption of specific molecular markers, adaptation for horticultural crops, application of different DNA markers in horticultural crop characterisation (self-incompatibility processes in Prunus, early identification of sea buckthorn gender);
  • Research on virulence, variability and genetic diversity of organisms harmful to fruit crops in the context of the parent plant (Venturia spp., Gnomonia spp., Pseudomonas syringaeCecidophyopsis spp., BRV, RBDV);
  • Research on biology and ecology of harmful organisms to fruit crops (sea buckthorn pests, Cecidophyopsis spp.);
  • Research on general causes of sea buckthorn dieback (pathogenic fungus and bacteria, viruses);
  • Research on causes of cancer in fruit trees and the correlation to putrid spot development during storage (apples, pears);
  • Development and modification of chemical analysis methods for identifying new compounds in horticultural crops and their processed products.

 
Taking in consideration the availability of scientific equipment, scientist expertise and resources, the basic biological research for horticulture science will be conducted in collaboration with University of Latvia (Faculty of Biology), Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (Faculty of Agriculture, Faculty of Food Technology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine), as well as with Daugavpils University, Latvian Plant Protection Research Centre, Latvian State Forest Research Institute "Silava", and Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre.

Participating units of Institute of Horticulture: