International Symposium on Contemporary Horticulture 2025, taking place in Bulduri on May 22.

The conference’s aim is to bring together the latest advances in research on the Contemporary horticulture and to provide an opportunity for exchange information and ideas and stimulate joint research and collaboration.

Topics:

-Plant micropropagation

-biologically active compounds of plants

-Plants and microorganisms

-Digitalization and automation

-precise and climate controlled horticulture

Important dates:

• April 22, 2025– Registration and submission of abstracts
• May 1, 2005– Acceptance notification for authors
• May 15, 2025– e-poster submission for accepted authors
• May 17, 2025– Late registrations (participation in a conference without presentation)

Conference Fees: Participation in the conference is free of charge

For details regarding the conference please contact:

PhD Anta Sparinska anta.sparinska@bulduri.lv

Official language: English is the official language of the conference.

Organizers: Bulduri Biotechnology Center, Bulduri Technical School

Planned agenda:

Recap: International Symposium on Contemporary Horticulture 2025

In the spring of 2025, the third International Symposium on Contemporary Horticulture took place at Bulduri Technical School, marking a significant milestone — for the first time, the event was organized by the newly established Bulduri Biotechnology Centre, a scientific institution born out of the school’s long-standing dedication to innovation and sustainable development.

The symposium gathered researchers and professionals from Latvia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Romania, and Spain, offering a dynamic platform to share knowledge and explore the latest innovations in modern horticulture. The event covered a wide array of topics, including precision agriculture, smart sensors, tissue culture, biofungicides, and energy-efficient vertical farming.

Research Highlight: Clean Planting Material and Soilless Cultivation Technologies

One of the core presentations featured findings from the national research project “Production of healthy planting material and testing of innovative growing methods for crops significant to the national economy”, funded by the Latvian Ministry of Agriculture and the Rural Support Service.

Conducted by Anta Sparinska, Marija Gailite, Liva Purmale-Trasune and colleagues, the study explored year-round production of disease-free planting material for economically significant crops using climate-controlled, soilless systems.

Key results included:

• Strawberries: A full indoor cultivation protocol was developed, starting from in vitro plants to mini-tray transplants. Using LED lighting and ebb-flow irrigation in multi-level racks, researchers achieved high-quality transplants within 8 months, suitable for vertical farming. Varietal differences in runner formation and light response were observed.

• Potatoes: Mini-tuber production was tested in peat, perlite, vermiculite, and aeroponic systems. Aeroponics produced significantly more tubers (up to 40 per plant in the ‘Frieslander’ variety), while traditional systems yielded fewer but larger tubers. This method supports continuous, year-round cultivation and multiple harvest cycles.

These findings validate the potential of closed-environment systems to deliver clean, high-yield planting material and demonstrate crop-specific responses to cultivation substrates — laying the groundwork for automation and efficient vertical horticulture.

International Collaboration and Diversity

The symposium benefited from strong international participation, particularly from Uzbekistan, whose contributions enriched the scientific dialogue. Experts from Ukraine, Romania, and South Korea also presented novel work on biofungicides, electrotherapy, bryophyte cultivation, and smart agriculture.

Science Meets Culture

Beyond presentations, the event featured a culinary masterclass — “The Case of Uzbek Plov” — which added a cultural and interactive element to the program, promoting exchange and connection among attendees.

Looking Ahead

The symposium concluded with a shared vision for the future: how to scale precise, small-scale experimental methods into robust, automated technologies that are both environmentally sustainable and economically viable.

Scientific institutions will continue to play a key role in bridging research, education, industry, and policy — in the pursuit of better food systems, healthier plants, and smarter cultivation.

Bulduri Biotechnology Centre and Bulduri Technical School extend their heartfelt thanks to all speakers, guests, and partners for their contributions to this inspiring and forward-looking event.

See you at the next symposium!

Symposium Presentations

PRODUCTION OF HEALTHY PLANTING MATERIAL AND TESTING OF INNOVATIVE GROWING METHODS FOR CROPS, SIGNIFICANT FOR NATIONAL ECONOMY

HEALTHY PLANT MATERIAL AS A GUARANTEE FOR A QUALITY HARVEST

IMPACT OF ELEVATED CARBON DIOXIDE CONCENTRATION ON MICROGREEN BIOMASS, ANTHOCYANIN AND PHENOL CONTENT

SMART FERTILIZATION STRATEGIES IN VEGETABLE POLYCULTURES USING SENSOR TECHNOLOGY

ELECTROTHERAPY AS A POTENTIAL TOOL FOR PATHOGEN ELIMINATION IN APRICOT PLANTS

IN VITRO CULTIVATION OF SWEET POTATO (IPOMOEA BATATAS)

ACCLIMATIZATION OF GRAFTED FRUIT TREE SEEDLINGS IN PROTECTED FIELDS

ADVANCED IN VITRO TECHNIQUES FOR POTATO PROPAGATION AND MICROTUBER INDUCTION

PALM HOUSE RENOVATION: SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS FOR PLANTS, PEOPLE, AND THE PLANET

BRYOPHYTES CULTIVATION UNDER CONTROLLED CONDITIONS

SMART AGRICULTURAL ASSISTANT

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN TISSUE CULTURE TECHNIQUES FOR THE COMMERCIAL PROPAGATION OF HEUCHERA SPECIES

Video Recordings

The full video recording of the International Symposium on Contemporary Horticulture 2025 is available in three parts, covering the entire day’s presentations and activities. These recordings include keynote speeches, scientific presentations.

• Part 1 – CLIK HERE TO WATCH PART 1

• Part 2 –CLIK HERE TO WATCH PART 2

• Part 3 –CLIK HERE TO WATCH PART 3