R&D Infrastructure

Short description

The Agrobiology Laboratory was established as part of  integrated science, business and study centre Nemunas Valley. The Laboratory launched its activities on 7 December 2013 when the open-access Joint Research Centre of Agriculture and Forestry was opened. Researchers working at the Agrobiology Laboratory conduct research on agricultural plants, soil properties, and soil microbiota, organize seminars, participate in the national and international conferences, disseminate their research findings, and participate in professional development training and internship. Researchers at the Laboratory collaborate with the Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry and other Lithuanian and foreign research institutions and conduct studies commissioned by business companies.  The Agrobiology Laboratory operates under the principle of open access, i.e. its resources are available not only to the staff, students, or fellows at the respective institutions, but also to the stakeholders representing other institutions or business entities in accordance with the Regulations on Management and Provision of Resources and Services of the Open-Access R&D Infrastructure.

List of services

• Soil particle size distribution analysis and measurement of particle size (range 0, 02 ̶ 2000μm) and volume by using the dry or wet sieving method.
• Measurement of size, molar mass, and Zeta potential of particles smaller than 1μm in liquids.
• Toxicity analysis of soil, drinking water, wastewater, chemicals, phytotoxicity analysis using biological methods and microbiotests.
• Analysis of soil water capacity, water potential, pore geometry, water conductivity, and evaporation.
• Assessment of soil pore and moisture retention characteristics (plant available water at different groundwater levels, wilting point, porosity, capillary action, water capacity, etc.).
• Soil structure and aggregate stability.
• Soil carbonate content.
• Soil water and air permeability.
• Soil microbiota biomass, biomass carbon and CO₂ emission (moisture, temperature) analysis.
• Soil biological activity and enzyme detection.
• Soil quality indicators and sustainable farming elements, and assessment thereof.
• Identification of straw amount and other plant residues on soil surface and in the soil.

Major and emerging research fields

• Sustainability and intensification of agricultural ecosystems using the precision farming and environmental measures;
• Mitigation and technological adaptation of the climate change effect on the agricultural ecosystems;
• Healthy soil and plants. Crop, weed, and soil ecology;
• Integrated plant protection and nutrition;
• Agrosystems research and biodiversity enhancement;
• Research in biology, ecology, and harmfulness of harmful organisms in agriculture and forests.

Innovative products, solutions, technologies, patents, business issues addressed, recommendations, improvements developed, etc.

1. Recommendations published:

• Tvarus skirtingos genezės dirvožemių naudojimas / Naujausios rekomendacijos žemės ir miškų ūkiui, 2019, p. 4-8 (Sustainable use of soils of different genesis / Latest recommendations for agriculture and forestry)
• Tarpiniai pasėliai nualintų dirvožemių derlingumo atstatymui, 2019, 4 p. (Catch crops for restoration of the yield of depleted soils)
• Daugiamečių ankštinių žolių panaudojimas dirvožemio gerinimui augalininkystės ūkiuose, 2019, 4 p. (Use of perennial legumes for soil enhancement at crop production farms)
• Recommendations under project “Integrated Study of No-Till Technology and environmental economic assessment”. Final report, 2021, p. 130

2. Application that helps select the most appropriate plants for catch crops
3. Joint document on growing of catch crops for reduction of pollution in international Venta and Lielupe RBDs
4. Catch crops and their growing potentials
5. Agricultural practices in Venta and Lielupe RBDs
6. Environmental effects of catch crops
7. Cost and benefit analysis of catch crop application in Venta and Lielupe RBDs

Major projects, business orders

• Assessment of efficiency and viability of different cultivation technologies from the economic, energy, and environmental perspectives, No. A-02-20/20, 01/06/2020 to 10/11/2022
• Assessment of soil quality in Lithuania and development of the quality monitoring methodology and model No. MT-19-15, 08/07/2019 to 01/12/2021
• Integrated Study of No-Till Technology and environmental economic assessment, No. MT-19-10, 11/06/2019 01/12/2021
• Possibilities for restoration of sustainability of depleted and eroded soils at crop production farms (No. 14PA-KK-16-1-02856), 15/05/2017-30/05/2020
• Mineralization of plant residues by using the products of biological origin”. Contract with UAB Bioenergy LT No. A-06-68/17, 30/08/2017 to 30/11/2021
• The effect of long-term use of resources at different intensities on the soils of different genesis and other components of agricultural ecosystems (AGROTVARA) No. A-05-44/15 (contract No. SIT-9/2015), 27/08/2015 to 31/12/2018

Core researcher team

Prof. Dr. Vaclovas Bogužas; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zita Kriaučiūnienė, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jūratė Aleinikovienė, Dr. Vaida Steponavičienė, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aušra Sinkevičienė, Prof. Dr. K. Romaneckas, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lina Butkevičienė, Dr. Lina Skinulienė, PhD Inga Andruškaitė, PhD A. Sinkevičius, PhD Jovita Balandaitė.

Head of Laboratory

Prof. Dr. Vaclovas Bogužas

Phone (8-37) 75 22 33

Email: vaclovas.boguzas@vdu.lt

Short description

The Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology pursues the following functions: fundamental and applied research in the fields of plant biotechnology, biology and physiology; R&D; development and implementation of modern technologies and innovations; dissemination and promotion of scientific knowledge; provision of open access and knowledge-intensive services; and development of highly skilled scientific potential.

Major and emerging research fields

• Assessment of plant morphological parameters and physiological processes under simulated climatic conditions.
• Assessment of the in vitro and in vivo effects of various factors (macro-, micro-elements, and amino acids, plant protection products, etc.) on plants.

• Plant resistance to abiotic and biotic factors increasing in vitro ir in vivo.
• Developing plant breeding material in vitro.

• Plant micropropagation in vitro and in vivo.
• Consultancy and training in plant biotechnology.

Major projects, business orders

• “Studies on the effects of carbon fertilizer prototypes on the C₄ type model plant” have been commissioned by a business and public access to the results cannot be provided.
• “Laboratory investigations of the effects of carbon fertilizer prototypes on plant development” have been commissioned by a business and public access to the results cannot be provided.
• “In vivo studies of factors determining plant resistance to abiotic stresses” have been commissioned by a business and public access to the results cannot be provided.

Core researcher team 

Researchers, PhD students, MSc students, and BSc students at the Agriculture Academy of Vytautas Magnus University

Head of Laboratory

Prof. Dr. Natalija Burbulis

Email: natalija.burbulis@vdu.lt

Short description

In 1995, the Centre for Agroecology was established at the initiative of the former Lithuanian University of Agriculture, with the support of the Swedish researchers with the aim of developing organic agriculture in Lithuania. It was the first centre of its kind in the Baltic countries. To further develop organic farming, an organic production farm was established at the University in 1997, and a plot of land on the Training Farm of the University was assigned to the Centre. The farm serves as the fundamental and applied research facility of the Centre for Agroecology used for testing and implementation of new organic farming technologies, implementation of important research, and training of the farmers, consultants, teachers and students. The PhD, MSc, and BSc students conduct their research at the organic production farm as the basis for their theses and dissertations. Fundamental research on the impact of organic and intensive farming on agricultural ecosystems started in 1996 and have continued until present. The Centre for Agroecology pursues the following main objectives: collection, accumulation, and dissemination of information on organic farming; provision of advice to consultants, teachers and farmers; organisation of seminars, workshops, training courses and conferences; provision of the methodological assistance on organic farming issues to the University staff and non-university educational and research bodies; implementation of new technologies at the University and other organic production farms in Lithuania; provision of practical training to students and farmers at the facilities of the organic production farms; organization and implementation of research; and publishing activities.

The Centre for Agroecology is a member of the “Green Intelligence” cluster at the Agriculture Academy of Vytautas Magnus University. It is intensively engaged in educational and consultancy activities.  Intensive work is carried out on the development of new technologies and new fertiliser products for organic production.

Major and emerging research fields

Key research fields: biodiversity, sustainability and change in agricultural ecosystems, management and recycling of biodegradable wastes, and management of soil biodegradation processes.

Activities in the following scientific fields are conducted:

• Biodiversity, sustainability and change in agroecosystems under the action of different climate and farming systems conditions
• Research on the effect of long-term organic and intensive farming on agricultural ecosystems
• Research and development of innovative technologies for the management and recycling of wastes, by-products of production, various organic materials, and development of new products, soil conditioners and fertilisers
• Research on plant nutrition problems, development of new fertilisers and soil conditioners, cultivation technologies and quality assessment of cultivated products in organic farming systems
• Research on the impact of agricultural ecosystems on climate change and soil biodegradation processes.

Innovative products, solutions, technologies, patents, business issues addressed, recommendations, improvements developed, etc.

Innovative new technologies and products developed

Major projects, business orders

• Research project “Investigation of the properties and impact of organic matter and plant products recycled by Eisenia fetida worms and suitable for use in organic production, and of the produced vermicompost properties on the soil biodegradation processes and plants” (coordinator Dr Juozas Pekarskas). Customer: UAB EKOVORMAS (2019). This project involved investigation of the vermicomposts produced in Lithuania, their quality, impact on soil properties and organically cultivated plants.
• Research project “Study of the impact of liquid organic fertilizers and soil improvement agents produced from sapropel extracted in Lithuania on soil properties and agricultural plants in an organic farming system” (coordinator Dr. Juozas Pekarskas). Customer: UAB “Biodinamika” (2021-2022). During the implementation of this project, the impact of liquid sapropel fertilizers on soil properties and plants in an organic farming system was studied.
• EIP (European Innovation Partnership) project “Management of short supply chains of biologically valuable products and development of local markets” (2019-2022). Scientists from the Agroecology Center worked on the study of soil properties and the impact of biological preparations on agricultural plants.
• Research Council of Lithuania funded project “Study on requirements for the management and storage of solid manure during the closed period” (2022-2024). Scientists from the Agroecology Center worked on the impact of liquid emissions generated during manure storage on soil properties.
• EIP (European Innovation Partnership) project “Sustainable Agriculture – Sustainable Soil and Plant Raw Material” (2023-2025) (coordinator Dr. Juozas Pekarskas). Scientists from the Agroecology Center worked on the influence of biological preparations on the agrochemical and physical properties of soil and the development and research of innovative composting technologies.

Core researcher team

Head of the Centre for Agroecology, junior researcher Dr Juozas Pekarskas

Head of the Centre

Dr. Juozas Pekarskas

Phone: +370 671 03749

Email: juozas.pekarskas@vdu.lt

Short description

The Laboratory was established as an independent unit of the Agriculture Academy in 1986. In the period from 1997 to 2012, it was functioning as a unit of the Institute of Environment.  Currently, the Laboratory is a subdivision under the Department of Environment and Ecology, Faculty of Forest Sciences and Ecology, VMU Agriculture Academy. The research activities of the Laboratory are focused on the research of production, properties and environmental impact of liquid biofuels and bio-based lubricants. In addition, biogas refining processes for use in the transport sector are investigated. In 2010, integrated research on the use of microalgae for energy, fertilisers and biopolymers was launched. The Laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment. The Laboratory staff participate in international research projects and conduct research commissioned by the Research Council of Lithuania, the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Lithuania, the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Lithuania and by economic entities. The Laboratory is used for research by MSc and PhD students, postdoctoral fellows.

Major and emerging research fields

• Technology Sciences, Environmental Engineering.
• Natural Sciences, Ecology and Environmental Science.
• Natural Sciences, Chemistry and Biochemistry.

Innovative products, solutions, technologies, patents, business issues addressed, recommendations, improvements developed, etc.

Principle technologies have been developed and recommendations have been drafted for the use of non-food-grade camelina oil, microalgae, flaxseed oil, fatty waste for biodiesel production; ethanol and butanol for the re-esterification of oil, and the use of ethyl and butyl alcohols in the production of diesel fuels.  Principle technology for biodiesel synthesis using enzymatic preparations – lipases – as catalysts has been developed. Recommendations have been developed for the synthesis of innovative biodiesel through oil transesterification using methyl formate. Principle biogas technology has been developed for carbon dioxide scrubbing using natural rocks for CO2 sorption.

Major projects, business orders

• Studies commissioned by UAB “Energijos kontrolė”. Key results: oil quality tests and assessment of suitability for biofuel production.
• Studies commissioned by UAB “Araksus”. Key results: oil quality tests and assessment of suitability for biofuel production.
• Studies commissioned by UAB “ROKOR”. Key results: oil quality tests and assessment of suitability for biofuel production.
• Studies commissioned by UAB “Biocentras”. Comparative studies on the main quality parameters of base oils. Key results: base oil quality tests and assessment of their suitability for biofuel production.
• Studies commissioned by UAB “Agrochema”. Feasibility study for the implementation of second generation biofuel production at UAB “Agrochema”. Key results: analysis of the conventional biofuel production improvement and second generation biofuel production technologies conducted, the most appropriate solutions for the company selected, technical economic justification of second generation biofuel production performed.

Core researcher team

Chief researcher, Prof. Dr. Violeta Makarevičienė, chief researcher, Prof. Dr. Eglė Sendžikienė, senior researcher, Dr. Raimondas Kreivaitis, researcher, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Milda Gumbytė, Researcher, Dr. Kiril Kazance, Researcher dr. Ieva Gaidė.

Head of Laboratory

Chief researcher, Prof. Dr. Violeta Makarevičienė

Email: violeta.makareviciene@vdu.lt

Short description

The Laboratory’s activities focus on applied and fundamental research in ecology, environmental science and environmental engineering. The purpose of the Laboratory is to develop scientific research, promote scientific knowledge and participate in the University’s educational process. The Laboratory carries out research, educational, and service activities in the fields of agricultural, aquatic, and forest ecosystem object quality studies.

Major and emerging research fields

• Sustainability of agricultural, forest and aquatic ecosystems, impacts of climate change
• Sustainability of biological natural resources
• Mitigation of the climate change effects on ecosystems and adaptation
• Agricultural pollution management
• Sustainable agricultural, forest and aquatic technologies, sustainable use of resources

Innovative products, solutions, technologies, patents, business issues addressed, recommendations, improvements developed, etc.

Scientific study prepared: Investigation of the condition of water bodies at risk, identification of pollution sources and other causes of the condition of water bodies at risk, selection of measures to improve the condition of the water body/AM AAA.

Major projects, business orders

• 2016-2022 Implementation of the plan of measures for the environmental monitoring programme of Alytus municipality
• 2015-2019 Baltic sea region programme project “Water emissions and their reduction in village communities- villages in Baltic Sea Region as pilots” (acronym: “Village Waters”)
• 2015-2016 BERAS International. Farmers University Exchange Program.
• 2014- 2017 Investigation of the condition of water bodies at risk, identification of pollution sources and other causes of the condition of water bodies at risk, selection of measures to improve the condition of the water body
• 2011-2013 Baltic sea region programme Project BERAS implementation /Baltic organic agriculture and society – measure for mitigation of the Baltic sea eutrofication

Core researcher team

Dr. Laima Česonienė, Kristina Lingytė, Senior laboratory technician Danguolė Paškevičiūtė, PhD students Justina Zygkevičiūtė Laugs, Raimonda Simonavičiūtė

Contacts

Phone: (8-37) 752 224

Email: laima.cesoniene1@vdu.lt

Short description

The Laboratory of Quality Vegetable Raw Materials was established in 2007 as part of integrated science, business and study centre Nemunas Valley. The Laboratory launched its activities on 7 December 2012 when the open-access Joint Research Centre of Agriculture and Forestry was opened. The researchers at the Laboratory of Quality Vegetable Raw Materials conduct research on the quality of vegetable raw materials organize seminars, workshops; participate in national and international conferences. The Laboratory greenhouse is used for research in flower varieties and vegetative experiments to assess the impact of fertilizers, biological preparations and environmental conditions on the quality of different plants. The researchers at the Laboratory collaborate with the Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, and other Lithuanian and foreign academic institutions, and conduct studies commissioned by farmers and business companies.

Major and emerging research fields

Chemical composition and qualitative changes in vegetable raw materials during storage in controlled atmosphere chambers;

Qualitative indicators for plant processing products;

Sensory evaluation of food raw materials and products;

Development of innovative food products using vegetable raw materials;

Research in flower varieties.

Innovative products, solutions, technologies, patents, business issues addressed, recommendations, improvements developed, etc.

High-yielding and highly decorative varieties of vegetatively propagated trailing snapdragon (Asarina) were developed at the Laboratory greenhouse:  year 2013 – 10 varieties, year 2015 – 17 varieties, year 2017 – 15 varieties, dr. Simas Gliožeris.

Since 2021, UAB “Žemdirbių konsultacijos” has been conducting scientific research in a greenhouse, developing innovative plant nutrition diagnostic technologies.

In 2025, research into hydroponic tomato cultivation began, led by Associate Prof. Dr. Viktorija Vaštakaitė.

Recommendations prepared:

Pranckietis, Viktoras; Paulauskienė, Aurelija. 2014. Vaistinės augalinės žaliavos auginimo ir džiovinimo technologijos: rekomendacijos aktinidijų augintojams ir perdirbėjams. Asociacija „Slėnis Nemunas“, 66 p.

Biologiškai vertingų produktų trumpųjų tiekimo grandinių vystymo geroji praktika, 2022. EIP veiklos grupės „INNOFOOD HUB“ projektas „Biologiškai vertingų produktų trumpųjų tiekimo grandinių valdymas ir vietos rinkų plėtra“ finansuojamas iš EŽŪFKP ir Lietuvos Respublikos valstybės biudžeto lėšų, 46 p.

Innovative products developed:

Blackcurrant sauce (high in vitamin C, minerals) with increased biological value, functional product, 2017, Assoc. Prof. A. Paulauskienė.

Innovative product suitable for vegans, vegetarians, diabetics – biscuits (gluten-free, added sugar-free, wheat flour-free) enriched with vegetable, berry and herbal/spice powders, developed within the framework of the Innovation Vouchers project, 2018, Assoc. Prof. J. Kulaitienė.

Innovative product developed under the Innovative Vouchers project – fruit leathers with berry pulp and seeds – with functional properties (high in fibre, added sugar-free), 2018, Prof. Ž. Tarasevičienė, Assoc. Prof. A. Paulauskienė.

Combination of protein-rich vegetable raw materials containing all essential amino acids, suitable for vegans and vegetarians, developed within the framework of the Innovation Vouchers project, 2021, Assoc. Prof. A. Paulauskienė, Prof. Ž. Tarasevičienė.

Fermented black garlic. Together with scientists from the Department of Mechanical, Energy and Biotechnology Engineering of the Faculty of Engineering, black garlic was produced using different fermentation conditions, and the chemical composition was analysed, 2022-2023, Assoc. Prof. A. Paulauskienė, Assoc. Prof. E. Zvicevičius.

Doctoral dissertation “Composition of secondary metabolites of pomace, hydrophilic and lipophilic extracts of different varieties of blackberries (Rubus fruticosus L.)”, I. Čechovičienė, supervised by Prof. Ž. Tarasevičienė.

Major projects, business orders

Innovation Vouchers project “Enrichment of food with functional components”, commissioned by MB Sava studija, 2017-2018. Under the R&D project, a technical feasibility study to investigate the possibility of using waste from the juice production process to enrich food products with functional components, was planned. The raspberry, blackberry, strawberry and rosehip pulp were studied. The study analysed the processing technologies of the pulp, selected the optimal processing methods and the optimal parameters of the technological processes, considering the influence of the temperature regime on the chemical composition of the raw material. The levels of berry pulp and seeds in the finished products were determined in order to comply with the recommended limits according to Commission Regulation (EU) No. 274/2014 on permitted health claims made on foods.

Demonstration trial “Growing innovative horticultural crops in vertical systems using modern environmentally friendly and resource efficient technologies” (No. 14PA-KK-17-1-01319-PR001), 2018-2020. The main aim of the R&D project was to adapt an innovative way of growing vegetable crops on the farm, using modern environmentally and resource-friendly vertical systems, to ensure the quality of crop production (chemical composition, physical parameters, yield) and to carry out a statistical-comparative analysis of horizontal and vertical vegetable crop production methods. The project was intended to develop the technology for production of annual and perennial plants (herbs, medicinal plants, strawberries) and provide recommendations. Preliminary conclusions of the research:

• The selected herbs/medicinal plants: basil (Ocimum basilicum); Swiss mint (Mentha piperita); thyme (Thymus serpyllum); strawberries (Fragaria vesca) are suitable for growing in a vertical system, and the perennial plants have demonstrated an excellent overwintering period (analysis of the first year of the trial);
• The observations made have enabled the optimisation of the system parameters and the application of optimal cultivation technologies to reduce production costs and improve quality;
• The evaluation of the horizontal and vertical horticultural methods according to the selected criteria has clearly shown the advantage of the vertical cultivation method: it has statistically increased the yield of the plants by a factor of up to 10, with a significant increase in the economic effect. Significant savings in resource use/costs. This suggests that the benefit-cost ratio is reliably higher with the vertical cultivation method. This has supported the cost-effectiveness of the innovation.

Innovative Vouchers project “Research on innovative combinations of protein-rich vegetable raw materials containing all essential amino acids”, commissioned by UAB Agropartneriai, 2020-2021.The project planned to carry out a technical feasibility study, modelling the composition of a new protein-rich vegetable product using a protein-rich vegetable raw material containing all essential amino acids. This would involve the use of various bean plants and seeds. The project involved comprehensive evaluation of the chemical composition of protein-rich vegetable raw materials, determining their protein content and biological value, as well as other bioactive compounds. A complete combination of protein-rich vegetable raw materials containing all essential amino acids was developed.

Project “Management of short supply chains for bio-valuable products and development of local markets” under the Action Area “Support for the establishment and development of EIP Action Groups” of the Lithuanian Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 Measure “Cooperation” (35BV-KK-18-1-06620-PR001), 2019-2022. The main aim of the project was to develop a self-regulatory model of innovation implementation and dissemination to accelerate the formation of short food supply chains and the development of local markets. The project was intended to assess the Farm to Fork practice of innovating farms producing bio-valuable products; evaluate the trends and opportunities for the development of markets for bio-valuable products, taking into account consumer values and consumption needs; implement innovation and assure quality in the production and storage system of bio-valuable products, enhancement of the efficiency and sustainability of the short food supply chains; and organize networking of farms producing bio-valuable products, ensuring the dissemination of the short food supply chain experience and market development.

Eureka project “Freeze-dried yoghurt bites enriched with non-traditional functional raw materials” (2020-07-01 – 2022-02-01), 01.2.2-MITA-K-702-07-0004, 2014–2020 European Union Funds Investment Action Programme. The project aims to create a new, significantly higher quality product – freeze-dried yoghurt bites – from yoghurt, natural stabilizers and non-traditional regional raw materials (nettle leaves, mulberry leaves, thorn fruits, beetroot tubers), using innovative, environmentally friendly and safe technology. The project was carried out with UAB “PPM Consulting” and foreign partners in the Netherlands. The yoghurt bites were enriched with nettle, mulberry leaves, thorn fruit, and beetroot powder, which are rich in a variety of vitamins, minerals, and biologically active compounds.

Head of Laboratory

Assoc. Prof. Dr Aurelija Paulauskienė

Phone: (8-37) 75 23 41

Email: aurelija.paulauskiene@vdu.lt

Short description

The Laboratories were established in 2012 and conduct both fundamental and applied research, including R&D, in the field of environmental engineering within the technological sciences. Researchers focus on the utilization of renewable resources for the synthesis of biofuels and bio-oils. The Laboratories actively collaborate with economic entities, providing expert advice on the production, quality, application, and environmental impact of biofuels, biogas, bio-oils, and oils. They also offer guidance on the use of high-fat raw materials in animal feed production and other related topics. Additionally, the Laboratories carry out commissioned research.

Major and emerging research fields

• Synthesis and research of liquid and gaseous fuels
• Synthesis and research on environmentally friendly lubricants

Innovative products, solutions, technologies, business issues addressed, recommendations, improvements developed, etc.

Recommendations prepared for business companies: Recommendations for IĮ “RVS technologija”, UAB “AKVATERA LT”, UAB “Eco Extractum”, UAB “Biokonversija”, UAB “BioPower Ingineering”, UAB “Biocentras”, UAB “Žaliavų terminalas”, UAB “Investicijų Partneris”, UAB “Tito Sun”, UAB “Rokor”.

Major projects, business orders 

• UAB “Žaliavų terminalas”, “Oil waste utilization possibilities”. Main results – research on the quality of oily waste and assessment of utilization possibilities.
• IĮ “RVS technologija”, Influence of additives restoring lubricated surfaces on the physical parameters of oils”. Main results – determined influence of additives on the physical parameters of oils.
• Project commissioned by UAB “Akvatera”: “Utilisation of poultry fat in pet food production”. Key results: the possibilities for the use of poultry fat in pet food production assessed.
• Project commissioned by UAB “Akvatera”: “Utilisation of high fat content raw materials in pet food production”. Key results: it was determined that the high fat content oils investigated (namely, borage, evening primrose and coconut oil) can be used in the production of pet food production as they meet the requirements for high fat content raw materials.
• Studies commissioned by UAB “Investicijų Partneris”. Improvement of energy efficiency of biofuel pellets. Key results: selection of optimal pellet compositions with calorific value of 15-17 MJ/kg and maximum moisture content of 20%.

Core researcher team (including PhD students and laboratory technicians)

Chief researcher Dr. E. Sendžikienė, researcher Dr. M. Gumbytė, researcher Dr. K. Kazancev, chief researcher Dr. V. Makarevičienė, senior researcher Dr. R. Kreivaitis, junior researcher Dr. I. Gaidė laboratory technician Dr. J. Treinytė,

Contacts

Phone: +370 37 752292

Email: egle.sendzikiene@vdu.lt

Short description

The laboratory was established in 2000. It conducts fundamental and experimental development research in the fields of energy and environmental engineering. The laboratory’s scientists consult farmers, specialists of industrial enterprises, designers, energy specialists and representatives of state institutions on the issues of processing plant biomass and organic waste into biogas. The laboratory cooperates with other Lithuanian research and study institutions and business associations. The laboratory maintains business relations and carries out joint scientific projects with scientific institutions, companies and organizations of Austria, Denmark, Italy, Latvia, Norway, Finland, Germany and other countries. The laboratory’s scientists participate in the preparation of projects for biogas power plants and biomethane plants operating and under construction in Lithuania and monitor their activities.

Major and emerging research fields

• Investigation on the energy potential of raw materials used for biogas and biomethane production
• Research and optimization of the technological process of biogas and biomethane production
• Investigation on the energy and environmental efficiency of biogas and biomethane production
• Determination and assessment of sustainability cycle indicators of biogas and biomethane production

Innovative products, solutions, technologies, patents, business issues addressed, recommendations, improvements developed, etc.

• Innovative technology for anaerobic digestion of fish processing waste developed and recommendations for its implementation drafted.
• Recommendations on the improvement of the efficiency of biogas production in urban sewage sludge biogas plants using biodegradable food industry waste developed.
• Innovative technology for the conversion of slaughterhouse waste into biogas and recommendations for its implementation developed.

Major projects, business orders 

• Horizon 2020 project “European food chain supply to reduce GHG emissions by 2050 (ENOUGH)”, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in food chains.
• FP7 project “Added value from high protein & high oil industrial co-streams” (APROPOS). Industrial high-protein high-oil by-products investigated and technologies proposed for the processing thereof to obtain high value-added products.
• Participation in the international project “FOREST 4.0 Creation of the Centre of Excellence in Smart Forestry”. under the program HORIZON-WIDERA-2022-ACCESS-01. The aim of the research is to create an innovative method for assessing the sustainability of forest business models using life cycle analysis.
• Project “Improving the energy efficiency of biogas production from sewage sludge through the use of additional ingredients and biological preparations” commissioned by an economic entity. Studies have shown the feasibility of converting mixtures of urban sewage sludge and fish and meat processing waste into biogas. The influence of the composition of mixtures of industrial waste and urban sewage sludge on biogas yield and energy content determined.
• Project “Study of the energy potential of waste from the production of bread products converted into biogas” commissioned by an economic entity. The study determined the yields, composition and energy potential of biogas from bread product production waste. Process scheme for the processing of waste from the production of bread products into biogas developed and key process indicators identified.

Core researcher team

Prof. Dr. Kęstutis Navickas, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kęstutis Venslauskas, Researcher Dr. Mantas Rubežius, Junior researcher Vidmantas Župerka

Head of Laboratory

Prof. Dr Kęstutis Navickas

Phone: +370 687 86826

Email: kestutis.navickas@vdu.lt

Short description

The Laboratories were established in 2012 and conduct both fundamental and applied research, including R&D, in the field of environmental engineering within the technological sciences. Researchers focus on the utilization of renewable resources for the synthesis of biofuels and bio-oils. The Laboratories actively collaborate with economic entities, providing expert advice on the production, quality, application, and environmental impact of biofuels, biogas, bio-oils, and oils. They also offer guidance on the use of high-fat raw materials in animal feed production and other related topics. Additionally, the Laboratories carry out commissioned research.

Major and emerging research fields

• Synthesis and research of liquid and gaseous fuels
• Synthesis and research on environmentally friendly lubricants

Innovative products, solutions, technologies, business issues addressed, recommendations, improvements developed, etc.

Recommendations prepared for business companies: Recommendations for IĮ “RVS technologija”, UAB “AKVATERA LT”, UAB “Eco Extractum”, UAB “Biokonversija”, UAB “BioPower Ingineering”, UAB “Biocentras”, UAB “Žaliavų terminalas”, UAB “Investicijų Partneris”, UAB “Tito Sun”, UAB “Rokor”.

Major projects, business orders 

• UAB “Žaliavų terminalas”, “Oil waste utilization possibilities”. Main results – research on the quality of oily waste and assessment of utilization possibilities.
• IĮ “RVS technologija”, Influence of additives restoring lubricated surfaces on the physical parameters of oils”. Main results – determined influence of additives on the physical parameters of oils.
• Project commissioned by UAB “Akvatera”: “Utilisation of poultry fat in pet food production”. Key results: the possibilities for the use of poultry fat in pet food production assessed.
• Project commissioned by UAB “Akvatera”: “Utilisation of high fat content raw materials in pet food production”. Key results: it was determined that the high fat content oils investigated (namely, borage, evening primrose and coconut oil) can be used in the production of pet food production as they meet the requirements for high fat content raw materials.
• Studies commissioned by UAB “Investicijų Partneris”. Improvement of energy efficiency of biofuel pellets. Key results: selection of optimal pellet compositions with calorific value of 15-17 MJ/kg and maximum moisture content of 20%.

Core researcher team (including PhD students and laboratory technicians)

Chief researcher Dr. E. Sendžikienė, researcher Dr. M. Gumbytė, researcher Dr. K. Kazancev, chief researcher Dr. V. Makarevičienė, senior researcher Dr. R. Kreivaitis, junior researcher Dr. I. Gaidė laboratory technician Dr. J. Treinytė,

Contacts

Phone: +370 37 752292

Email: egle.sendzikiene@vdu.lt

Short description

The Soil and Crop Ecology Laboratory conducts the experimental and research work. It provides favourable conditions for scientists, researchers, PhD students, and other students to use the laboratory and its facilities for their research.  The research work starts with the collection of soil and plant samples from the field and preparation thereof for analysis, and conduction of their laboratory analysis. Access to mobile laboratory equipment under the field conditions. Analyses and tests conducted: soil enzyme activity and qualitative indicators, plant development condition, seed germination, weed abundance investigation and pest spreading and control, photosynthetic intensity of plants, soil gas composition, and CO2 emissions from soil, etc.

Major and emerging research fields

• Sustainability of the agricultural ecosystems, soil resources and preservation, optimization of mineral nutrient delivery to plants.
• Mitigation and adaptation of the climate change effect on the agricultural ecosystems.
• Research of oilseed rape agrocenosis, allelopathy and impact on the soil yield, optimization of technological parameters for oilseed rape and hybrid rape under the changing climate conditions.
• Optimization and ecologization of agricultural crop formation and germination conditions using agricultural measures.
• Research in growth, development and harvest formation of field and meadow plants.
• Research in the spread of harming factors, negative effect on yield, and protection measures.
• Improvement of Lithuania’s main commercial crops (sugar beet, wheat, oilseed rape) technologies for their competitiveness on the domestic and foreign markets.
• Growing alternative agricultural crops such as Kernza, Milk thistle (Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.), and nitrogen-fixing crops such as winter peas, winter beans, and soybeans.
• Agricultural engineering and economic substantiation of the precision farming measures, simplification of cultivation, zero tillage, stubble cropping in our agroclimatic conditions.
• Research in the effect of development of alternative cropping systems and modern farming on the agricultural ecosystems.

Major projects, business orders

1. Project “Diversification of catch crops and use of multifunctional properties to increase soil sustainability and carbon sequestration potential and reduce fertilizer demand” (No. JVS/2020/042). Supervisor Dr. Aušra Marcinkevičienė
2. R&D project “Application of the allelopathic effect in plant cultivation technologies for the implementation of environmental protection and climate change objectives” commissioned by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of the Republic of Lithuania, No. MTE-23-3. The project is implemented according to the financing rules of agriculture, Food Farming, Fisheries and Rural Development for scientific research and experimental development for 2023-2027. Validity 2023-2025. Supervisor Prof. Dr. Kęstutis Romaneckas
3. EJP SOIL International research and development project (No. TM-22-1) “The impact of land use on soil organic matter properties and carbon sequestration” Validity 2023–2025. Supervisor Prof. Dr. Vaclovas Bogužas
4. “International Research and Experimental Development (IRED) project of the European Horizon Programme “Promoting the transformation of farming systems – agroecology living laboratories and research infrastructures” partnership for International Research and Experimental Development (IRED) project “Holistic evaluation of agro-ecological measures (HEAL)”. Validity 2025–2028. Supervisor Prof. Dr. Vaclovas Bogužas
5. Project of programe “NordForsk” (VIKING): Validating the Introduction of Kernza in the Nordic-Baltic region / „Kernza opportunities for introduction in the Nordic-Baltic region“ Validity 2023–2025. Coordinator – SLU – Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Institution, Sweden; Partners: Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden; Estonian University of Life Sciences, Estonia; NIBIO, Norway; The Natural resources Institute, LUKE, Finland; Vytautas Magnus University, Lithuania; University of Wisconsin Madison, JAV; Aarhus University, Denmark; Danish Technological Institute, Denmark. Project supervisor for the VMU part prof. dr. Zita Kriaučiūnienė.
6. Project: „Augalų mitybos optimizavimas vasariniams kviečiams“/‘Plant nutrition optimization for spring wheat‘. Customer: HELM AG, Germany

Core researcher team

Prof. habil. Dr. Rimantas Velička, Prof. Dr. Vaclovas Bogužas, Prof. Dr. Kęstutis Romaneckas, Prof. Dr. Aušra Marcinkevičienė, Prof. Dr. D. Steponavičius, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aida Adamavičienė, Assoc. Prof. Dr.  Darija Jodaugienė, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rita Pupalienė, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lina Marija Butkevičienė, Prof. Dr.  Zita Kriaučiūnienė, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jūratė Aleinikovienė, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rimantas Vaisvalavičius, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sonata Kazlauskaitė, Assoc. Prof. Dr.  Evaldas Klimas, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ilona Vagusevičienė, Prof. Dr. Vytautas Liakas, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Povilas Mulerčikas, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jolanta Sinkevičienė, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Robertas Kosteckas, Assoc. Prof. Dr. R. Zinkevičius, Assoc. Prof. Dr. V. Butkus, Assoc. Prof. Dr. S. Petkevičius, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aušra Sinkevičienė, Asist. Dr. Rita Čepulienė, Lect. Dr. Edita Mažuolytė-Miškinė, Lect. Dr. Jovita Balandaitė, Lect. Dr. Rasa Kimbirauskienė Dr. Vaida Steponavičienė, Dr. Lina Skinulienė, Dr. Aušra Rudinskienė, Dr. Silvija Kosteckienė, PhD student Aušra  Babenskienė, PhD student Giedrius Žiūraitis, PhD student Audrius Jakutis, PhD student Austėja Švereikaitė, PhD student Lina Juodytė, PhD student Rendy Anggriawan, PhD student Muchammad Tahair Khan.

Head of Laboratory

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lina Marija Butkevičienė

Phone: +370 61031649

Email: lina.butkeviciene@vdu.lt

Short Description

The Geomatics Laboratory, operating at Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy, traces its origins back to 1997, when the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Laboratory for Land, Water, and Forestry Management was established at the Lithuanian University of Agriculture. Following several reorganizations, in 2012 the GIS Training and Research Center merged with the Geomatics Laboratory of the Integrated Science, Studies and Business Center “Valley NEMUNAS”, forming the current Geomatics Laboratory at the Faculty of Water and Land Management. Until December 31, 2018, the institution was known as Aleksandras Stulginskis University.

The main functions of the Geomatics Laboratory are to conduct fundamental and applied research in agricultural and technological sciences related to geomatics, disseminate scientific knowledge, develop international cooperation, implement innovations, and provide training and consultations.

Main and Recent Research Directions:

• Aerial photography using drones and manned aircraft
• Hyperspectral scanning (wavelength range 500–1700 nm; applications in environmental monitoring, medicine, material science, agriculture, forestry, forensics, and more)
• Laser scanning (LiDAR)
• Object-based image and laser data processing
• Teaching geomatics-related subjects, professional development courses, and consultations

Innovative Products, Solutions, Technologies, Patents, Business Problem Solving, Recommendations, and Improvements:

In 2017, as part of the “INOČEKIAI” project, aerial photography and photogrammetric product development technologies using manned and unmanned aircraft were created and offered to businesses.

In 2022, solutions were proposed for evaluating various habitats using remote sensing methods as part of the project “Monitoring of habitats and agri-environmental measures using remote sensing methods”.

In 2024, solutions for assessing forest stand volume using laser scanning data were developed.

Up to 5 Most Successful Projects and Business Contracts:

Projects using laboratory equipment:

Assessment of the Condition of Drainage Ditches Using Remote Sensing Methods – 2017.

Rapid Detection of Ips typographus Outbreaks Using Hyperspectral Scanning – 2018.

LIFE-IP PAF-NATURALIT Optimization of Natura 2000 Network Management in Lithuania – 2020–2022.

Monitoring of habitats and agri-environmental measures using remote sensing methods – 2020–2022.

SENSECO – Optical Synergies for Spatiotemporal Sensing of Scalable Ecophysiological Traits – 2018–2023.

Core researcher team

Prof. Dr. Gintautas Mozgeris,

Assoc. Prof. Dr Donatas Jonikavičius

Head of Laboratory

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Donatas Jonikavičius

Email: donatas.jonikavicius@vdu.lt

Short description

The Laboratory for Research on the Impact of Climate Change Impacts on Forest Ecosystems was established on 21 March 2012. Activities: Research on species and genetic diversity, productivity, sustainability, and change of forest ecosystems in the context of climate change and human impacts. Key facilities available: A set of tree bark measuring equipment (LINTAB 6), portable leaf area index (LAI) measuring instrument, leaf and root area measuring systems, set of portable equipment for the determination of the microclimatic conditions of forest ecosystems, portable photosynthesis research system, Uv/Vis spectrophotometer, field equipment for forest soil testing, automated dosing and nucleic acid extraction system, DNA amplifier, electrophoresis apparatus for the distribution of DNA fragments, genetic analyser for DNA markers.

Major and emerging research fields

• Studies on stand growth and productivity
• Research on forest plant diversity
• Research on the genetic diversity, genetic structure and adaptation of species in forest ecosystems
• Research on forest soil response to climate change, carbon sequestration in soil and plants
• Investigation of the diversity, abundance and impact of soil microflora on C and N cycling

Innovative products, solutions, technologies, patents, business issues addressed, recommendations, improvements developed, etc.

Recommendations on dealing with the impact of climate and other environmental stressors on the capacity of forests to adapt and mitigate global change threats; species and genetic diversity of Scots pine communities and their sustainable use under climate change and human impacts. The regionalisation of the origin of forest tree species for the use of plant reproductive material. Methodology for genetic monitoring of forest tree species.  Investigation of the evolutionary origin of forest trees. Methodology for monitoring of the origin of forest tree reproductive material by DNA. Identification of the genetic origin of beech stands.

Major projects, business orders 

• Horizon 2020 research project “Optimising the management and sustainable use of forest genetic resources in Europe” GENTREE, 2016 – 2020, Grant agreement No. 676876.
• Research project “Establishment of a system for control of the origin of forest reproductive material of Norway spruce and Scots pine by DNA testing” commissioned by the Ministry of Environment, Contract No. M-04-10/19, 2019-2021.
• Research project “Determination of the origin and genetic diversity of beech stands in Lithuania, selection of the most valuable individuals and their comparison with populations of known origin in other countries for the development of beech in Lithuania” commissioned by the Ministry of Environment,  Contract No. VPS-2017-119-SBMŪRP, No. M04-65/17, 2017-2019.
• Project “Complex effects of climate and other environmental stressors on the capacity of forests to adapt and mitigate global change threats”, No. A-05-45/15 (SIT-3/2015).
• Project “Species and genetic diversity of Scots pine communities and their sustainable use in the context of climate change and human impacts”, project code No. VP1-3.1-ŠMM-08-K-01-025, funding and administration contract No. VP1-3.1-ŠMM-08-K-01-025.

Core researcher team

Prof. Dr. Vitas Marozas, Prof. Dr. Darius Danusevičius, Dr. Jūratė Buchovska, Dr. Darius Kavaliauskas, Dr. Nijolė Maršalkienė.

PhD students: Osvaldas Kučinskas, Rūta Kembrytė, Gintarė Stankevičienė.

Head of Laboratory

Prof. Dr. Vitas Marozas

Phone: 862033469

Email: vitas.marozas@vdu.lt

Short description

Researchers at the Laboratory provide consultations to renewable energy and industrial automation specialists, designers, energy engineers and representatives of government agencies in the fields of automation and renewable energy. The Laboratory maintains business relations with research bodies, companies and organisations in Lithuania and other countries. Laboratory experts have been involved in the automation of power objects and measurements of various energy indicators, as well as in the implementation of automatic control systems for energy processes.

Major and emerging research fields

Renewable energy, process control, process visualisation, hydraulic system diagnostics; machine testing.

Innovative products, solutions, technologies, patents, business issues addressed, recommendations, improvements developed, etc.

• Maintenance, service, repair and calibration of gas and biogas analysers
• Life cycle assessment (LCA) conducted with specialised SimaPro software
• Vacuum, air and flat-plate solar collectors, low-power wind turbines
• Thermal analysis of equipment
• Investigation of performance of internal combustion engines 

Major projects, business orders

• Horizon 2020 project “European food chain supply to reduce GHG emissions by 2050 (ENOUGH)”.
• Innovative application of selective biopreparations for the recycling of hard to break down raw materials into biogas.

Core research team

Assoc. Prof. dr. Kęstutis Venslauskas, Prof. dr. Stasys Slavinskas, Prof. dr. Kęstutis Navickas, Junior researcher Vidmantas Župerka.

Head of Laboratory

Assoc. Prof. dr. Kęstutis Venslauskas

Phone: +370 656 97642

Email: kestutis.venslauskas@vdu.lt

Short description

The Game Management Laboratory was established on 17 September 2008.

The mission of the Laboratory is to develop research in the field of biomedical sciences: forest science, ecology and environmental science, zoology; to systematize and disseminate the knowledge of these sciences, to educate the researchers, to take part in the educational process of the University, to provide game research services, to popularize the knowledge of game management science, to educate the public and cultivate the culture and qualification of game hunting and hunters.

Main equipment: microtome Struers ACUTOM 50, microscopes Carl Zeiss, dry box Kambič SP 120EASY, broadcasters with speaker FOXPRO Praire Blaster Game Caller, automatic sound recorder stations Song Meter SM2, automatic video cameras Bolyguard MG984G-36M MMS, unmanned aerial vehicle DJI Fantom 4 Pro.

The Game Management Laboratory conducts management, research and training activities in scientific and educational hunting area units. the territory of Kaunas District Municipality, with an area of 670 ha; territory of Radviliskis District Municipality, with an area of 4,608.1 ha; territory of Šilutė District Municipality, with an area of 4,915.7 ha, and territory of Vilkaviškis District Municipality, with an area of 567.2 ha.

Major and emerging research fields

• Research on the status of wildlife populations using remote sensor technologies (GPS, unmanned aerial vehicles, automated video cameras)
• Pre-treatment and quality of wild game meat, ageing technologies
• Preparation of hunting management projects
• Identification of damage caused by wild animals to agricultural crops and assessment of adverse impacts on forest plantations, grasslands and stands
• Detailed description of wildlife migration corridors based on morphological spatial pattern analysis

Innovative products, solutions, technologies, patents, business issues addressed, recommendations, improvements developed, etc.

• Methodology for estimation of damage caused by game to agricultural crops
• Methodology for wolf population accounting
• Preparation of a bison conservation plan
• Collection of data on the use of electronic, acoustic and optical devices for searching for the game and improvement of the recording techniques

Major projects, business orders

• Commissioned research project “Preparation of the Bison Conservation Plan” within project No. VP3-1.4-AM-02-V-01-013 “Implementation of measures for the conservation of rare species and regulation of the abundance of invasive species”. Period: Year 2015
• R&D project “Preparation of a methodology for calculation of of damage caused by game to agricultural crops” commissioned by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Lithuania, contract No. MT-18-1. Period: Year 2018
• Preparation of a project on hunting area unit “Sakalas-2” management for hunting club “Sakalas”, contract No. M-06-24/20; Preparation of a project on hunting area unit management for hunting and fishing club “Rotary-gamta” of Vilnius County, contract No. M-06-23/20 Period: 2020–2021
• Project “Research on wolf (Canis lupus) ecology” commissioned by the Research Council of Lithuania, contract No. S-REP-20-6. Period: 2020–2021
• R&D activity “Wolf Research Services 2021” commissioned by the State Service for Protected Territories under the Ministry of Environment, Contract No. F4E-3. Period: 2020–2021

Core researcher team

Dr. Artūras Kibiša, Dr. Renata Špinkytė-Bačkaitienė, Dr. Jolanta Stankevičiūtė, Kastytis Šimkevičius.

PhD students: Petras Adeikis, Loreta Bisirskienė

Laboratory technicians: Mindaugas Maksvytis, Kęstutis Bybartas, Romas Gečas, Gintaras Lukaševičius, Vytautas Ivanauskis

Head of Laboratory

Dr. Artūras Kibiša

Phone: +370 687 31533

Email: arturas.kibisa@vdu.lt

Short description:

• Soil characterisation field tests using a Veris 3150 MSP mobile instrument (electrical conductivity; soil acidity (pH); organic matter content); Soil characterisation field tests using a Veris P4000 mobile instrument (with 350-2200 nm spectrometer in soil profile horizons up to 1 m depth) (electrical conductivity; soil hardness; carbon content); scanning of soil electrical conductivity with Topsoil Mapper scanner (with the terminal for precision tillage, sowing and fertiliser technology application);
• Field and laboratory tests of soil properties (measurement of carbon dioxide gas concentrations in soil; determination of porosity of soil samples in the laboratory; determination of the bonding strength of soil particles in the laboratory; field determination of soil hardness and moisture; measurement of the drafting power of agricultural machinery);
• The N-Sensor™ is an optical measuring device mounted on the roof of a tractor. It is designed to measure the nitrogen content in crops and determine their nitrogen status at a given time. This allows nitrogen fertilizer rates to be adjusted accordingly in various areas of the field. Thanks to the N-Sensor™, an accurate and optimal fertilizer rate can be calculated for each area of the crop field;
• Research on performance indicators for field (tractors and drones) and garden sprayers (tractors and robots) (measurement of the vertical distribution of liquid sprayed by garden sprayers; measurement of individual nozzle performance (flow rate); measurement of sprayer pump performance, checking of pressure gauges, and calibration of flow meters);
• Testing of the physico-mechanical properties of agricultural products and soil particles using the Instron 5960 instrument (various materials, pellets and briquettes compression, tensile, peeling, bending, tearing of materials; testing of material elasticity);
• Research on technologies and machinery for the cultivation, maintenance, harvesting and preparation for conversion of energy crops (research on the shredding process of wood waste and coarse-stemmed energy crops; determination of the quality of shredded wood waste and the quality of the cuttings of coarse-stemmed energy crops, such as Salix Viminalis L.).

Major and emerging research fields:

• Soil-, environmentally-friendly and energy efficient tillage, sowing and harvesting technologies and analysis of machine work processes and optimisation of design and process parameters;
• Investigation of machine systems for precision farming;
• Qualitative, energy and environmental assessment of technologies for harvesting and preparing energy crops for fuel;
• Optimisation of methods and technical means for the preparation and sustainable use of plant biomass for conversion;
• Research on the dynamic characteristics of agricultural machinery and mechanisms to determine their optimum operating parameters and improve their design.

Innovative products, solutions, technologies, patents, business issues addressed, recommendations, improvements developed, etc.

• In 2021, a recommendation on the application of precision spreading technology for organic fertilisers was prepared as a result of R&D project “Study of technological parameters for precision spreading of organic fertilisers with different flow properties”. Commissioned by UAB “Dalaudas ir Co”, project implementation period: 29/08/2019 to 05/08/2021. Project manager – Dr. S. Buragienė. Team members: E. Šarauskis, E. Jotautienė, A. Jasinskas, A. Sakalauskas, V. Naujokienė, K. Lekavičienė, Z. Kriaučiūnienė.
• In 2021, a recommendation linked to the feasibility of energy resource recovery from landfills was prepared as a result of the interinstitutional R&D project ISLAND (LEI-KTU-VDU) “Feasibility and Sustainability Model for the Recovery of Energy Resources from Landfills”. Project implementation period: 01/04/2021 to 31/12/2021. Project manager G. Denafas (LEI), coordinator of the VMU project part A. Jasinskas. Team members: K. Romaneckas, D. Streikus.

• In 2022, a recommendation was prepared on the production of granular fertilizers using mixtures of crushed limestone with wood biofuel ash and binders of organic origin, as a result of R&D project “Scientific research on the production of a prototype of granules from mixtures of locally sourced crushed limestone and wood biofuel ash using different binders of organic origin”. Project manager – prof. dr. A. Jasinskas. Team members: R. Mieldažys, R. Petlickaitė, K. Romaneckas, R. Čepulienė, R. Kimbirauskienė.

• Invention patented in the Lithuanian Patent Bureau: method of fuel consumption reduction in crop production using a biological preparation: Patent No. LT 6470 B / inventors: Egidijus Šarauskis, Vilma Naujokienė, Kristina Vaitauskienė; Aleksandras Stulginskis University. Vilnius, 10/11/2017. 4 p.
• Invention patented in the Lithuanian Patent Bureau: the test bench for the corn cob threshing process and the method for execution of the process testing. Patent No. LT 6492 B / inventors Valdas Kiniulis, Dainius Steponavičius, Edvinas Pužauskas, Albinas Andriušis, Darius Jovarauskas, Darius Juknevičius. State Patent Bureau of the Republic of Lithuania. Vilnius. 25/01/2018. 12 p.

• Invention patented in the Lithuanian Patent Office: Bean waste biofuel pellets and/or sorbent, fertilizer.Patent No. LT 6701 B / inventors Kęstutis Romaneckas, Algirdas Jasinskas, Egidijus Šarauskis, Aleksandra Minajeva.State Patent Office of the Republic of Lithuania. 10/02/2020.7 p.
• Invention patented in the Lithuanian Patent Office: Corn, hemp and bean multi-crop biomass pellets and/or fertilizer.Patent No. LT 6998 B / inventors Algirdas Jasinskas, Kęstutis Romaneckas, Jovita Balandaitė, Rita Petlickaitė, Marius Praspaliauskas, Rasa Kimbirauskienė.State Patent Office of the Republic of Lithuania. 12/06/2023. 8 p.

• Invention patented in the Lithuanian Patent Bureau: Control model of precision direct seeding technology of winter wheat. Patent No. LT7021 B. Vytautas Magnus University, 2023-08-25 / inventors: Šarauskis Egidijus, Kazlauskas Marius, Steponavičius Dainius, Romaneckas Kęstutis, Bručienė Indrė, Buragienė Sidona, Naujokienė Vilma.
• Invention patented in the Lithuanian Patent Office: Hydroponic green forage process test bench and process method. Patent No. LT 7031 B / inventors Andrius Grigas, Dainius Steponavičius, Dainius Savickas. State Patent Office of the Republic of Lithuania. Vilnius.10.10. 2023. 8 p.
• Invention patented in the Lithuanian Patent Office: Device and method for determining the spray drift in a wind tunnel. Patent No. LT 7051 B / inventors Albinas Andriušis, Dainius Steponavičius, Tadas Jomantas, Jonas Balčiūnas, Žygimantas Niekis, Sigitas Petkevičius. State Patent Office of the Republic of Lithuania. Vilnius. 12.03.2024. 9 p.

Major projects, business orders:

• R&D project (innovation voucher by the Agency for Science, Innovation and Technology (MITA) “Research on the development of mixtures based on hemp fibre biomass and binders for use in the food industry”. Commissioned by UAB “Baltic Sticks” Contract start date: 01/03/2021, end date: 28/02/2023 Project manager – Prof. Dr. Algirdas Jasinskas.
• R&D project (innovation voucher by the Agency for Science, Innovation and Technology (MITA) “Research on the development of a drone-based precision crop care model”. Commissioned by MB “GKS”. Contract: 2021–2023. Project manager – Prof. Dr. D. Steponavičius, team members: Assoc. Prof. Dr. R. Zinkevičius; Prof. Dr. E. Jotautienė; Prof. Dr. K. Romaneckas; lect. A. Andriušis; MSc M. Semenišin. Result: Research of liquid mineral fertiliser spraying using sprayer drones conducted.
• EUREKA project “Anti-drift agent’s research and new formulation development”. Project participants: VMU, UAB “Nando”, Craiova University (Romania). Contract: 2021–2023. Project manager – Prof. Dr D. Steponavičius, team members: Assoc. Prof. Dr. R. Zinkevičius, senior researcher E. Zaleckas, Dr. K. Lekavičienė, Dr. A. Kemzūraitė, lect. A. Andriušis, PhD student T. Jomantas, PhD student A. Grigas.
• LMT High Level Research Groups R&D (SMART) EU Funds Investment Operational Program Measures 01.2.2-LMT-K-718 “Precise research in the field of smart specialization” activities “Research carried out by top level research groups, to develop relevant results of the R&D sector on the topic of relevant results of R&D activities, which should later be commercial” project “Development of a multifunctional, UV-VIS-NIR spectrometry-based, sustainable precision sowing technological process management model”. 2020–2023 Lithuanian Science Council. Project leader – Prof. Dr. E. Šarauskis; team members: Prof. Dr. A.M. Mouazen, Prof. Dr. D. Steponavičius, Prof. Dr. K. Romaneckas, Prof. Dr. A. Jasinskas, Assoc. Prof. Dr. V. Naujokienė, Assoc. Prof. Dr. S. Buragienė, PhD students: I. Bručienė, M. Kazlauskas, J. Anušauskas.
• International HORIZON EUROPE Project: “Safe Wheat Agriculture Towards Sustainable Health: Innovative Sensing Techniques and Holistic Spectroscopy Traceability for Improved Soil Plant Health and Safe Wheat Grain (WHEATWACHER), Contract No. 2024–2028. The project coordinator – Prof. Dr. A. M. Mouazen (Ghent University). The Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) part leader – Prof. Dr. E. Šarauskis. The implementers: Prof. Dr. Z. Kriaučiūnienė and Dr. M. Kazlauskas.

Core researcher team

Prof. Dr. D. Steponavičius; chief researcher Prof. Dr. A. Jasinskas; Prof. Dr. E. Šarauskis; Prof. Em. Dr. L. Špokas; Prof. Dr. E. Jotautienė;  Assoc. Prof. Dr. R. Zinkevičius; Assoc. Prof. Dr. S. Petkevičius; Assoc. Prof. Dr. R. Mieldažys; Assoc. Prof. Dr. E. Zaleckas; Lect. A. Andriušis; senior researcher Dr. S. Buragienė; researcher Dr. A. Kemzūraitė; senior researcher Assoc. Prof. Dr. V. Naujokienė; researcher Assoc. Prof. Dr. K. Lekavičienė; researcher Dr. D. Savickas; researcher Dr. A. Grigas, researcher Dr. I. Bručienė, researcher Dr. M. Kazlauskas, junior researcher Dr. R. Petlickaitė; junior researcher Dr. A. Zabrodskyi; junior researcher J. Anušauskas.

PhD students: A. Adomėlis, J. Balčiūnas, T. Jomantas, G. Gramauskas, J. Rukaitė, S. Sokas

Magistrantai: B. Senkienė, Ž. Niekis, Ž. Motiekaitis

Laboratory technicians: A. Radžiulis, N. Poškienė.

Head of Laboratory

Prof. Dr. Dainius Steponavičius

Phone: +370 674 27721

Email: dainius.steponavicius@vdu.lt

Short description

The Laboratories were established in 2012 and conduct both fundamental and applied research, including R&D, in the field of environmental engineering within the technological sciences. Researchers focus on the utilization of renewable resources for the synthesis of biofuels and bio-oils. The Laboratories actively collaborate with economic entities, providing expert advice on the production, quality, application, and environmental impact of biofuels, biogas, bio-oils, and oils. They also offer guidance on the use of high-fat raw materials in animal feed production and other related topics. Additionally, the Laboratories carry out commissioned research.

Major and emerging research fields

• Synthesis and research of liquid and gaseous fuels
• Synthesis and research on environmentally friendly lubricants

Innovative products, solutions, technologies, business issues addressed, recommendations, improvements developed, etc.

Recommendations prepared for business companies: Recommendations for IĮ “RVS technologija”, UAB “AKVATERA LT”, UAB “Eco Extractum”, UAB “Biokonversija”, UAB “BioPower Ingineering”, UAB “Biocentras”, UAB “Žaliavų terminalas”, UAB “Investicijų Partneris”, UAB “Tito Sun”, UAB “Rokor”.

Major projects, business orders 

• UAB “Žaliavų terminalas”, “Oil waste utilization possibilities”. Main results – research on the quality of oily waste and assessment of utilization possibilities.
• IĮ “RVS technologija”, Influence of additives restoring lubricated surfaces on the physical parameters of oils”. Main results – determined influence of additives on the physical parameters of oils.
• Project commissioned by UAB “Akvatera”: “Utilisation of poultry fat in pet food production”. Key results: the possibilities for the use of poultry fat in pet food production assessed.
• Project commissioned by UAB “Akvatera”: “Utilisation of high fat content raw materials in pet food production”. Key results: it was determined that the high fat content oils investigated (namely, borage, evening primrose and coconut oil) can be used in the production of pet food production as they meet the requirements for high fat content raw materials.
• Studies commissioned by UAB “Investicijų Partneris”. Improvement of energy efficiency of biofuel pellets. Key results: selection of optimal pellet compositions with calorific value of 15-17 MJ/kg and maximum moisture content of 20%.

Core researcher team (including PhD students and laboratory technicians)

Chief researcher Dr. E. Sendžikienė, researcher Dr. M. Gumbytė, researcher Dr. K. Kazancev, chief researcher Dr. V. Makarevičienė, senior researcher Dr. R. Kreivaitis, junior researcher Dr. I. Gaidė laboratory technician Dr. J. Treinytė,

Contacts

Phone: +370 37 752292

Email: egle.sendzikiene@vdu.lt

Short description

The Structures and Building Materials Laboratory was established in 1975 and since then it has been conducting research on the main building materials used in hydraulic structures. From 1995 to 2000, the Laboratory was certified to perform tests on concrete, concrete aggregates, road materials (sand, gravel, crushed stone), reinforcement, fittings and other construction materials and products, in accordance with the required certification and other indicators. The Laboratory also performs determination of the suitability of aggregates for the production of concrete and mortars, and designs concrete and mortar compositions. For over 10 years, the Laboratory has been conducting research on the eco-friendly building materials based on unfired clay, hemp-fibre concrete and other local, non-energy intensive materials.

Major and emerging research fields

• Energy-efficient, environmentally friendly building materials
• Waste recovery in concrete production (“green concrete”)
• Durability and longevity of hydrotechnical structures

Innovative products, solutions, technologies, patents, business issues addressed, recommendations, improvements developed, etc.

• Use of compressed straw in the construction of framed buildings
• Improved composition of hemp-fibre concrete
• Use of shredded tyre rubber for landfill filter bed installation

Major projects, business orders:

• Modelling the stability of the slopes of Gediminas Hill
• Using locally produced, low-energy building materials in agricultural production buildings
• Comprehensive assessment of the technical condition of the hydrotechnical structures of the Kruonis Pumped Storage Plant
• Multi-criteria comparative analysis of pipes and rings made of different materials used in the construction of water supply and wastewater networks
• The use of hemp fibre in the development of thermal insulating concretes for the insulation of building envelopes in energy-efficient buildings

Core researcher team

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rytis Skominas, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vincas Gurskis, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Raimondas Šadzevičius, Lect. Dainius Ramukevičius

Head of Laboratory

Assoc. Prof. Dr Rytis Skominas

Phone: +370 600 14067

Email: rytis.skominas@vdu.lt

Short description

The Laboratory was established in 1996 at the Department of Occupational Safety and Engineering Management of the Lithuanian Academy of Agriculture as a laboratory for the study of occupational conditions. In 1997, the Laboratory was certified by the Ministry of Health for the study of the factors of the occupational and living environment. Since 2001, it resumed its operations as the Laboratory for Research of Occupational Conditions and Machine Safety Testing. In 2003-2008, it was certified by the National Accreditation Bureau for the study of the factors of the occupational environment and machine noise and vibrations. Since 2011, it was part of the Institute of Agricultural Engineering and Safety. Since 2021, it is the Laboratory of Technology Safety of the Department of Agricultural Engineering and Safety.

Major and emerging research fields

• Investigation, assessment and improvement of the safety of existing and emerging technologies, their components or the equipment used in them
• Occupational risk and machinery safety research and assessment of compliance with the EU and Lithuanian regulatory documents
• Environmental pollution research and assessment of compliance with the requirements of Lithuanian regulatory documents
• Development and advice on implementation of the measures for reduction of occupational risks or technological pollution of the environment and assurance of human safety

Innovative products, solutions, technologies, patents, business issues addressed, recommendations, improvements developed, etc.

• ST 120793378.01:2014. General construction works: construction regulations. Association of Lithuanian Land Reclamation Companies
• ST 120793378.05:2015. Hydrotechnical construction works: construction regulations. Association of Lithuanian Land Reclamation Companies
• Preparation of basic training modules and model training programmes on occupational safety and health in 2018 (commissioned by the State Labour Inspectorate of the Republic of Lithuania)
• Preparation of questions for the testing the occupational safety and health knowledge in 2018 (commissioned by the State Labour Inspectorate of the Republic of Lithuania)
• ST 120793378.01:2019. Construction rules of the Lithuanian Association of Land Reclamation Companies. General construction works
• Environmental, occupational and fire safety [electronic resource]: teaching aid for the Farming Basics Training Programme 2018 (commissioned by the Leader Programme and the Methodological Centre for Farmer Training)
• Organisation of the annual international scientific conference “HUMAN AND NATURAL SAFETY” to disseminate good practice

Major projects, business orders:

• COST Action CA16123 Safety Culture and Risk Management in Agriculture
• H2020 project. FORWARDER 2020, H2020-BB-2016-1 No. 727883. Smart Forwarder for sustainable and efficient forest operation and management

Core researcher team

Dr. Ramūnas Mieldažys, ramunas.mieldazys@vdu.lt, phone: 8 614 01137

Short description

The Laboratory provides facilities for international research, enabling students to not only pursue laboratory work, but also to put their future business ideas to practice. Research is conducted using the latest international standards and nationally recognised research methods.

It focuses on the processes that lead to gas emissions, impact on climate change, assessment of the effects of ammonia emissions on human and animal health and ecosystems, and development of measures to reduce atmospheric pollution.

Aims: to develop scientific competence in the field of environmental engineering research, to apply it in the creation and development of advanced engineering and environmental technologies.

Major and emerging research fields

• Engineering innovations in sustainable livestock production
• Reducing the impact of livestock farming on climate change
• Innovations to reduce air pollution in livestock farming

Innovative products, solutions, technologies, patents, business issues addressed, recommendations, improvements developed, etc.

• Method to reduce air pollution in livestock farming developed. Patent at the Lithuanian Patent Office. 2017. Title “Method for reducing ammonia emissions in animal husbandry”. LT6472B. Authors: R. Bleizgys, V. Naujokienė.
• Prototype – system of technical tools – for creating an optimal microclimate in cowsheds developed.
• Prototype – model of an environmentally friendly barn – developed.
• Recommendations for the rules on the technological design of livestock buildings prepared.
• Recommendations for the rules on the technological design of piggery buildings prepared.
• Recommendations have been prepared for the technological design of manure and wastewater treatment facilities.

No more than 5 most successful projects, business orders. In 2020-2025, 17 scientific projects were completed, the most important of which are:

• Ministry of Agriculture funded scientific project “Pollution Reduction in Cattle Breeding”. 2024-2027. A model is being implemented to reduce air pollution in livestock breeding.
• Ministry of Agriculture funded scientific project “Evaluation and updating of methodological recommendations for the technological design of manure and wastewater treatment facilities”. 2023. Recommendations for the technological design of manure and wastewater treatment facilities have been developed.
• MITA funded scientific project “Biotechnologies for Reducing Gas Emissions Generated by Biomass” BIOTEch. 2021-2022. Technological measures have been developed to reduce air pollution in livestock breeding.
• Business enterprise funded project “UAB “Nando” Microorganism Application Research”. 2021-2022. A method has been developed to reduce air pollution in animal husbandry.
• The project “Creation of typical farm models for sustainable dairy farms, scientific and economic justification of recommended solutions” funded by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. 2019-2020. A model of a typical cowshed has been developed.

Core researcher team (including PhD students and laboratory technicians)

Prof. Dr. Rolandas Bleizgys (Head of Laboratory), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jonas Čėsna, Dr. Vilma Naujokienė, Dr. Indrė Bagdonienė, PhD student Ieva Knoknerienė, PhD student Indrė Buivydienė

Head of Laboratory

Prof. Dr Rolandas Bleizgys

Phone: +370 686 10900

Email: rolandas.bleizgys@vdu.lt

Short description

The origins of the Laboratory of Tribology can be traced back to the Departmental Laboratory “For the Study of Post-Repair Life of Agricultural Machinery”, which had been operating at the Department of Machinery Repair since 1973. In the course of development of tribology research and in cooperation with scientists from the KTU, VU, the Institute of Chemistry, and the Institute of Physics, in 1995, the Tribology Department of the Lithuanian Scientific Society was established. In 1997, it became a member of the International Tribology Council (ITC).  Since 1999, a researcher team comprising the core of the Tribology Department of the Lithuanian Scientific Society, has been organising the biennial international scientific conference BALTTRIB.

Major and emerging research fields

• Green tribology (development and research on environmentally friendly tribological construction and lubrication materials)
• Biotribology (studies of tribological systems in contact with living organisms (implants, prostheses)
• Nanotribology (modification of structural and lubricant materials with nanoparticles, study of tribological processes)
• Abrasive wear processes and mitigation measures
• Tribological coatings – development and research

Innovative products, solutions, technologies, patents, business issues addressed, recommendations, improvements developed, etc.

Lithuanian patents

• Padgurskas, Juozas (author, inventor); Bansevičius, Ramutis (author, inventor); Jurėnas, Vytautas (author, inventor); Bubulis, Algimantas (author, inventor); Žunda, Audrius; Andriušis, Albinas (author, inventor). Piezoelectric motor speed stabilization system: Patent No. LT 6332 B / inventors: Juozas Padgurskas, Ramutis Bansevičius, Vytautas Jurėnas, Algimantas Bubulis, Audrius Žunda, Albinas Andriušis; Aleksandras Stulginskis University Vilnius, 20161125. 5 pages
• Padgurskas, Juozas (author, inventor); Andriušis, Albinas (author, inventor); Bansevičius, Ramutis (author, inventor); Bubulis, Algimantas (author, inventor); Jūrėnas, Vytautas (author, inventor); Žunda, Audrius. Device for evaluation of the working surface fretting wear characteristics: Patent No. LT 6315 B / inventors: Juozas Padgurskas, Albinas Andriušis, Ramutis Bansevičius, Algimantas Bubulis, Vytautas Jurėnas, Andrius Žunda; Aleksandras Stulginskis University. Vilnius, 20160912. 6 pages
• Padgurskas, Juozas (author, inventor); Bansevičius, R. (author, inventor); Bubulis, Algimantas (author, inventor); Jurėnas, Vytautas (author, inventor); Žunda, Audrius. Patent No. LT 6206 B Device for contact zone diagnostics of piezoelectric motors / J. Padgurskas, R. Bancevičius, A. Bubulis, V. Jurėnas, A. Andriušis, A. Žunda; ASU. Vilnius, 20150825. 7 pages
• Padgurskas, Juozas (author, inventor); Andriušis, Albinas (author, inventor). Patent No. LT 5624 B Device for measurement of the influence of friction force on the wear characteristics of material surface / J. Padgurskas, A. Andriušis; Lithuanian University of Agriculture. Vilnius, 20100125. 6 sheet

U.S. patents

• Padgurskas, Juozas (author, inventor); Andriušis, Albinas (author, inventor); Bansevičius, Ramutis (author, inventor); Bubulis, Algimantas (author, inventor); Jūrėnas, Vytautas (author, inventor); Žunda, Audrius (author, inventor). Device for evaluation of the working surface fretting wear characteristics : US 10161840 B2 : United States patent / Inventors: J. Padgurskas, A. Andriusis, R. Bansevicius, A. Bubulis, V. Jurenas, A. Zunda. 25/12/2018 8 sheet
• Padgurskas, Juozas (author, inventor); Andriušis, Albinas (author, inventor). United States Patent US 9,134,214 B2, Sep. 15. 2015 Device for measuring the influence of friction force on wear characteristics of a material surface with high frequency loading force / Inventors: J. Padgurskas, A. Andriusis. 20150915. 6 sheet
• Padgurskas, Juozas (author, inventor); Andriušis, Albinas (author, inventor). United States Patent US 8,297,104 B2 , Oct. 30, 2012 Device for measuring the influence of friction force on the wear characteristics of material surface / Inventors: J. Padgurskas, A. Andriusis. 20121130. 7 sheet

German patents

• Padgurskas, Juozas (author, inventor); Andriušis, Albinas (author, inventor). Deutsches Patent DE 11 2009 000 454 B4, 2016.07.21. Vorrichtung zum Messen des Einflusses der Reibkraft auf die Verschleißeigenschaften einer Materialoberfläche / Inventors: J. Padgurskas, A. Andriusis ; Aleksandras Stulginskis University. 20160721. 5 sheet

Major projects, business orders: 

• Project “Development and research of the adaptive control methods for tribological parameters of piezoelectric drives” by a researcher team of the Research Council of Lithuania.
• FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IRSES-295202 Training and collaboration on material developments and process improvements in oil and sugar production.
• COST Action MP1303 project “Understanding and Controlling Nano and Mesoscale Friction”
• Fostering Innovation in Accelerator Science and Technology (IFAST), coordinated by CERN. Horizon 2020.
• Project “Research of tribological properties of ionic liquid-stabilized nanoparticple additives for environmentally friendly oils” by a researcher team of the Research Council of Lithuania. 

Core researcher team

Prof. Dr. Juozas Padgurskas, Prof. Dr. Vytenis Jankauskas, Prof. Valentinas Snitka, Dr. Raimondas Kreivaitis, Dr. Artūras Kupčinskas, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Raimundas Rukuiža, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Audrius Žunda, Lect. Albinas Andriušis, Dr. Tadas Matijošius, Dr. Segii Lavrys, Dr. Egidijus Katinas, Dr. Deividas Kazlauskas, Dr. Mindaugas Rukanskis, PhD student Angelina Strelnikova, PhD student Vitoldas Vilčinskas, PhD student Almontas Vilutis, PhD student Darius Volskis., PhD Student Justas Listauskas, dokt. Alvin Dio Nugroho, dokt. Cagla Gisem Acar Unal.

Head of Laboratory

Prof. Dr Juozas Padgurskas

Phone: +370 612 10804

Email: juozas.padgurskas@vdu.lt

Short description

The Laboratory was established in 2012 and is used by the researchers working on the study of quantitative and qualitative parameters of water bodies and on the modelling of processes in water bodies. The Laboratory provides advice to the designers, municipalities, ministries and other bodies, agencies and organisations, as well as private companies and farmers on global issues of sustainable use of water resources, and conducts comprehensive studies of the quantitative and qualitative parameters of individual water bodies (river basins, river sections, lakes, ponds), and, where necessary, models the processes in water bodies.

Major and emerging research fields:

• Water resource management and sustainable use (small hydropower, flood forecasting and management, inland waterways
• Research on water pollution and mitigation measures
• Restoration of damaged aquatic ecosystems
• Numerical modelling of hydrological processes

Major projects, business orders:

• “Preparation of a study on the environmental and socio-economic assessment of dams” (commissioned by the Ministry of the Environment of the Republic of Lithuania and conducted with partners in order to prepare proposals for a strategic plan for restoration of river integrity in Lithuania)
• “Hydrokinetic river energy resources and non-affluent technologies” (Research teams project: patents, scientific publications and recommendations for the exploitation of non-affluent river energy resources in Lithuania).
• “Study on the creation of appropriate conditions for fish migration through barriers” (commissioned by the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania and conducted with partners). The study investigated the practice of fish ladders, the impact of dams and hydroelectric power plants on fish migration, and provided recommendations for the latest (advanced) research on the efficiency of fish migration through fish passes and fish ladder).
• “Assessment of the electricity production at Balskai hydroelectric power plant” (measurements and report on the efficiency of the Balskai hydroelectric power plant commissioned by UAB “Hidroenergija”).
• “Bathymetric studies of the Old Smalininkai Harbour water area” (Research work commissioned by Smalininkai Community Centre. The aim was to carry out bathymetric surveys for the construction of the Smalininkai recreational harbour).

Core researcher team:

Prof. Dr Petras Punys, Prof. Dr Arvydas Povilaitis, Lect. Raimundas Baublys, Researcher Dr Egidijus Kasiulis, PhD student Linas Jurevičius

Head of Laboratory

Dr. Egidijus Kasiulis

Phone: 8 621 83902

Email: egidijus.kasiulis@vdu.lt