How great is Latvia's success story? The economic, social and political consequences of the recent financial crisis in Latvia

The current state of Latvia can be best described in medical terms: the patient is pale, but alive. The financial woes have been successfully resolved, but economic, social and political challenges remain. The crisis is continuing to affect the fabric of social and political life in Latvia. This paper looks at the economic, social and political consequences of the recent financial crisis and the ensuing economic collapse in Latvia and suggests some remedial actions

Recovering Genetic Resources of Some Legume Species of Latvian Origin by Plant Tissue Culture

Accessions with no germinating seeds are a common problem in plant gene banks and research institutions. Our goal was to elaborate and apply an in vitro method of germination and multiplication of old aged seeds of red and alsike clover and alfalfa. Eighteen clover and five alfalfa accessions were used for germination in vitro. Most of the accessions had produced seeds more than 20 years ago and the seeds did not germinate in soil. Seed pre-treatment with different concentrations of potassium permanganate, as well as addition of phytohormones, AgNO3 and activated carbon to germinating media were tested. Plantlets for all germinated accessions were obtained, even in the case when seeds were 44-year-old (alfalfa). Germination rate in vitro not always correlated with seed age and ranged from 2 to 72%. Pre-treatment with potassium permanganate was effective both for seeds sterilisation and germination stimulation. Most germinated seeds formed phenotypically normal seedlings with all organs. In vitro multiplication of obtained clover plants was performed. Best results were achieved by micropropagation of stem segments approximately 2 mm in length. Number of finally obtained plants depended not only on seed germination ability, but also on micropropagation ability in relation to genotype, and on acclimatization success in soil after in vitro cultivation</jats:p