Research Goals and Key Research Directions

Key Research Goals for 2025–2031

  1. Breeding and diversification of crops for Nordic/Baltic Sea region: resilient, high quality, productive cultivars - a full-scale breeding (including pre-breeding, commercialization) for Latvia's major crops (apple, raspberry, blackcurrant, Japanese quince) and separate breeding elements for less-common crops (stone fruits, pears, melons, onions, garlic); anticipatory breeding - Japanese quince resistance to fire blight, blackcurrant drought tolerance and resistance, generative organ spring frost resistance; AI-supported phenotyping and genotyping; exploration and promotion of underutilized crops (e.g. edamame, honeysuckle, rowan, walnut, cornelian cherry).
  2. Fundamental aspects and research supporting breeding and horticultural science: molecular marker and other indicator improvement, resistance genetics, using whole-genome sequencing and transcriptome analysis, resistance donor selection, pathogen biology and interaction with host (e.g. Ribes-Cecidophyopsis-BRV, P.communis–G.sabinae), self-incompatibility of Japanese quince, method development for host-pathogen interaction studies (Ribes artificial invading with Cecidophyopsis, artificial viral vectors for Rubus viruses); emerging fungal pathogens of woody fruit crops - impact, diversity, host range, and infection sources.
  3. Climate-smart production systems: GHG emission limitation technologies; mineral fertilizer alternatives; mulching materials; soil fertility and biological activity; underutilized crop growing systems; resource efficiency (sun light, water, soil); smart tools (remote, non-destructive methods, satellite imagery, UAV sensors); urban gardening (crops, cultivars, substrates).
  4. Processing and analytical technologies: nutrient-dense food products and bio-based packaging materials; microbiological safety; shelf-life extension; macromolecules (plant lipids, proteins, polysaccharides); micromolecules (tocochromanols, phenolics, volatile aroma compounds); bioprocessing; eco-friendly analytic methodologies.

Means to achieve research objectives are: 1) Qualified and motivated personnel (attracting, supporting all-grade students, supporting mobility, motivating remuneration); 2) State-of-the-art research facilities (investment 4.1 milions EUR during last six years; further purposeful investments); 3) Comprehensive and long-term collaboration via multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research with national and international partners (e.g. BMC, “Silava” for HTS, bioinformatics; EDI, RTU for smart solutions; cultivar testing in local and abroad farms); 4)
Balancing, diversification and foreseen increase of funding.

The focus on applied research goals will be maintained (breeding, smart solutions, circular economy). The fundamental research (plant genetics, pathology, biochemistry) proportion and role increase is foreseen

The research facility development plan is in action and foreseen purposeful investments (e.g. GC MS-MS (volatile compounds), Zeta-potential analyser (macromolecules and dispersed systems), benchtop nuclear magnetic resonance analyser (lipids), Nanopore sequencing, benchtop TEM, 3D X-ray Microscopy, MALDI-TOF). Additional knowledge and access to facilities will be provided by staff training abroad and collaborative projects. Employment of foreign scientists for specific fields is considered.

Financing is planned according to the goals set (~20% fundamental, 80% applied research). State funding for the breeding has increased significantly (~10x in 2025 in comparison to 2020-2022) and, according to The Ministry of Agriculture's Strategy, will be increased, allowing to include pre-breeding and fundamental aspects. For resource balancing, further focus will be on collaborative, larger and financially more-intensive project applications (e.g. EU, ERC Synergy grants, State-funded breeding and research programs).

Institutional ethics guidelines are established, and relevant national, EU and international ethics guidelines and rules are followed and permissions are acquired as needed.