Project proposal: Natural Selection

Being born in Latvia and moved to the UK when I was three years old I have an interest in Latvia’s
history, particularly in Russian occupation period in which my mother and grandmother was alive.
During that time period I want to explore cereal breeding which was greatly affected by Russia and is
the industry that my grandmother works in. State Stende Cereals Breeding Institute was the first
state-established breeding station in Latvia (1922). Also nowadays cereal breeding, seed farming and
crop cultivation is the most significant research directions in the institute. My grandmother has been
working there since 1970, she is one of the only wheat breeders in Latvia. She has created 10 strains
of wheat which are used by farmers all over Latvia and overseas. In ninety years of the Institute
activity Stende breeders for Latvian farmers have established more than 65 varieties

Using archival photographs of The State Stende’s Cereal Selection Institute from when Latvia was
under soviet rule still have commonalities with other countries archives, similar compositions, a
similar narrative in the photographs. Creates a sense of nostalgia for other European countries. Thus
connecting this work to a wider audience.

Why – roos from latvia,

What- documenting The State Stende Cereal Selection Institute today. I document how in spite of
the reign of the UUSR occupation and restriction the cereal breeding industry in Latvia has survived
and is thriving. It has kept some traditional methods and is continuing to introduce modern
technologies.

Where – Latvia, The State Stende Cereal Selection Institute. Time period – 6 months

Who – Grandmother, colleagues The State Stende Cereal Selection Institute

Stendes Graudu instituts:

The State Stende Cereal Selection Institute carries out scientific research in cereal selection, field
crops and other conventional and organic farming fields. The aim of the Institute is to create new
knowledge for the sustainable development and competitiveness of Latvian agriculture.

Till 2010 Priekuli and Stende Breeding institutes have 16 winter and 11 spring breeds of wheat that
have been created for farmers disposal.

Wheat’s origin is the Middle East. With the development of trade wheat reached Latvia from the
Middle East in the 10th-11th century. The production of wheat in Latvia increased considerably in the
18th century when estate managers brought seed from Poland and Eastern Prussia.

Before world war 1 yield levels of wheat in European countries, such as Denmark and Germany, was
several times higher than in Latvia. Predominantly due to breeding activities and agro-climate
conditions. In Stende (where my grandmother works) 1923 first trial plots were sown of local and
foreign varieties of winter and spring wheat.

Latvia at the end of 1930 turned from being a wheat importer to an exporter mainly to England.
Between 1934-1936 Latvia exported 208, 000 tons of rye and 72, 000 tons of wheat. The value of
exported cereals in 1935 was 10% of the total value of all goods.

When Latvia was incorporated into the Soviet Union (1940-1990) an ideology was created that the
Baltic climate conditions were not suitable for high-quality wheat production and wheat grain must
only be used for feed. Only Russian strains were grown, this has a great impact on Latvia’s economy
and future in exportation and trade. Due to this wheat breading institutes were not able to carry out
further research on finding grains that would be optimal for growing in Latvia’s climate. Bread was
brought in mostly from Ukraine during the Russian reign over Latvia

Latvia gained independency in from the Soviet Union in 1991 and since then new intensive
technologies and high yielding varieties of winter and spring wheat, which were developed in Latvia
and Europe have been introduced. Now Latvia again has become a wheat exporter.

Kolkhozes, farms.

Fredis ufo

Research into wheat breading :

cross pollinating wheat florets

When the wheat starts to produce pollen , take the pollen with tweezers – then isolate the wheat
strain which you want to cross or introduce. Take another strain and take the strains ear/spike tie it
to the strain which the pollen has been taken out of and to a stick to make it stable. A paper bag
must be put onto the crossed wheat strain to insure the hybridisation otherwise the pollen will
escape.

Take the newly formed grains that have formed, sew the grains and wait for them to grow. Analyse
the wheat which has grown, take the one which has grown the best, take its grains and re sew them.
Repeating this process until all the plants are the same. Analysis of the strain itself would start
around the 3 year mark. This process would be repeated over around a period of 10/12 years – until
all of the plants are the same then they can be called a ‘strain’ after these 2 test:

VCU test takes 3 years – sewing the plants into minimal 3 different locations in the country to see
how well the new strain grows

DUS test takes 2 years – distinguish, uniform, stable test – when you re sew the plant it all has to
stay the same. The plant/strain will then get a passport/technical report card which all the
information about the plant. Height, grain size, colour, owns, 20 distinguishing elements.

^ two test happen parallel with each other

UPOV - International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants

History of Latvia’s agriculture and wheat breading:

Around 11/12 centaury, that means wheat connected to the middle east. 16/15 German Barons
century brought in from Germany and polish wheat types. Latvia didn’t grow wheat, it isn’t wheat
breading country. Wheat came from middle eastern countries.

Latvians predominantly made bread from barley, if they had white bread they ate it during
celebrations. Bread was seen as something special and holy, wasn’t part of peoples staple diet as it is
now.

1800 Europe wheat selection stations were created in Europe Germany, England to create. Darwin
created natural selection. This was the basis behind the wheat selection stations.

In 1900 early Latvia agronomists who researched wheat in Europe. 1919 first wheat selection
station. 1922 2nd oldest wheat selections station in Stende (where my gran works) collected wheat
grains from all over the world and sewed them.
Brought back over grain 1000s of samples from America, a part of that sample has been used in
‘Edvins’ wheat which is the 2nd most grown crop in Latvia.

Sandomiras first summer wheat strains brought in from Poland.

Zida cels/road
Photographic research:

Thomas Albdorf – Actualities

Nadia Sablin : Aunties
Rafal Milach:

The first march of gentlemen

The way Milach uses historical photographs to create a narrative and produce contemporary work.

Edgar Martins:

Siloquies and Soliloquies on Death, Life and Other Interludes

How Martins uses text

with images
Delio Jasse: