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• Agro-meteorological characteristics of the 2023 growing season in long-term maize experiments at Debrecen-Látókép

  29-39

  Béla Gombos

  János Nagy

  Views:

  151

  The agrometeorological characteristics of the 2023 maize growing year were analysed and evaluated primarily on the basis of meteorological measurements at Debrecen-Látókép. Our results are also valid for the wider Debrecen area, since – at least this year – the water supply of the crop was not mainly dependent on local rainfall.
  Following the exceptional drought of 2022, the very significant precipitation in the period September-January was sufficient to saturate the soils to field water capacity. Most of February and March 2023 were dry, allowing soil preparation, but the weather only became favourable for sowing in the second half of April, following a cool, wet period. Temperatures and sunshine conditions in May, which were in line with the long-term average, provided favourable conditions for the early vegetative development of maize, and there was no water deficit despite less rainfall than usual. In June, the weather continued to be moderate and warm, with above average rainfall, which is considered ideal for the second half of the vegetative development phase. July was warmer and drier than average, but without extremes such as in the summers of 2021 or 2022, and the slightly cool and moderately wet weather of the first decade of August had a positive effect on yield development. The warmest period of the summer, after the sensitive phenophase of maize, only resulted in a spectacular acceleration of ripening in mid-August. Record warm, dry weather in September favoured grain water release and harvesting.
  The initial water supply was adequate for field water capacity, the moderately warm growing season, balanced temperatures and around average precipitation in the Debrecen area provided overall favourable agro-meteorological conditions for maize.

• Impact of different tillage systems on the yield parameters, protein, carbohydrate and oil content of different genotypes of maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids

  37-57

  István Kecskés

  Antal Nagy

  István Sojnóczki

  János Nagy

  Views:

  192

  The aim of our research is to investigate the effect of different tillage systems on maize parameters (yield, grain moisture content at harvest) and on the nutritional value parameters (starch, protein, oil content). The ploughing primary tillage of maize was compared with the tillage practices (disc tillage, straight knife tillage, strip tillage) that are beneficial for soil structure conservation. The study was carried out in two different crop years with two different rainfall distributions, 2020 and 2021, on mid-heavy meadow chernozem soil in the outskirts of Nádudvar, in a mesoparcel experiment with three hybrids of different maturity (FAO 380, FAO 420, FAO 490).
  In 2020, pre-sowing rainfall was low in March and April, only 23% and 39% of the multi-year average, which did not favour spring-sown crops, including maize. In June and July, on the other hand, rainfall was 256% and 217% of the multi-year average. In April, only 52% of the multi-year average fell, while in May it was 144% of the multi-year average. The year as a whole was extremely dry compared to the multi-year average, especially in June and July, when rainfall was only 14% and 69% of the multi-year average, respectively.
  The impact of the tillage method on yields was significant in both examined years. In 2020, the yield of ploughing (15.84 t ha-1) was higher than both strip and conservation tillage. In 2021, ploughing was also the highest (5.46 t ha-1), higher than all other tillage methods, but 10.37 t ha-1 lower than in 2020.
  In 2020 and 2021, the ranking of hybrids by yield was different. The best yield in 2020 was achieved by the FAO 490 hybrid (16.18 t ha-1), significantly higher than the other two hybrids. In the dry season, the FAO 420 hybrid was able to achieve the highest yield (4.33 t ha-1). Content value analysis of maize grains showed different results in the two crop years. In 2020, the oil content was significantly higher in the reduced tillage of the four tillage methods, with no real difference in the other methods. The analysis of starch content showed no significant difference between ploughing, conservation tillage and strip tillage, and no measurable difference between reduced and strip tillage. The protein content in 2021 showed a difference, with ploughing and conservation tillage demonstrably lower than reduced tillage. Compared to 2020, protein content increased from 6% to 8% in 2021. There was also a significant difference in starch content, with 66% in 2020 and 62% in 2021.

• Evaluation of maize (Zea mays L.) parameters in different phenophases as a function of heat sums in irrigated production

  85-103

  Hella Kalina

  János Nagy

  Views:

  286

  In Hungary, maize is one of the most widely grown crops, with a stable area of 0.8–1 million hectares. The reason for this is the exceptional yield of the crop, which allows a significant amount of value to be produced per unit area. Domestic production is mainly used for animal feed, particularly in the poultry and pig sectors, and for feeding ruminants. Its use is not only as food or fodder crops, but is also increasingly important for the production of oil, bioethanol and energy. The intrinsic values of maize – protein, starch and oil – are crucial for its use in industry, feed and food. The nutrient supply of maize is essential to ensure plant development. Adequate nutrient supply is essential to ensure sustainable farming and high yields. The nutrient rates applied must be adapted to the needs of the crop so that the hybrids tolerate stress caused by seasonal effects well and yield security is maintained.
  Water deficit is one of the most serious abiotic stresses that negatively affect plant growth, development and yield. Extreme weather conditions reduce yields and threaten stable production. The content, quality and industrial use of maize are closely linked to genetic, ecological and agrotechnical factors. By selecting the appropriate hybrid and applying the appropriate cultivation technology, yield indicators can be adapted to different purposes. In the agrotechnical studies for 2024, the main yield determinants were analysed, and weather was evaluated for each agrotechnical element and phenophase. The research is mainly based on meteorological measurements at the Látókép Experimental Station of the University of Debrecen. In the winter period 2023/24, 283 mm of precipitation fell in 6 months, 69 mm above the long-term average. In June, the weather was free of extremes, with evenly distributed temperatures, but above the multi-year average. The above average rainfall (66 mm), combined with soil moisture in the deeper layers of the soil, ensured a good water supply.
  The average temperatures in both July and August were close to record highs (24.2 °C). The exceptional warmth in August (mid to late August) was mainly due to the shortening of the ripening phase. The 29 mm of precipitation in July was less than half the multi-year average and the following month of August was also dry (33 mm). The summer total was 128 mm. In early September, the unseasonably warm weather continued, with the first decade showing a positive anomaly of nearly 7 °C. The physiological maturity of the maize and its rapid drainage and drying allowed early harvesting. The year 2024 was marked by a marked dichotomy in terms of maize production.
  Our field maize experiments allowed us to record the phenophases of the plants throughout the growing season (Hanway scale). As a new result, our analyses showed that, especially in the generative phase, more accurate data were obtained when taking into account the useful heat sum (HU) calculations. From emergence to silking, 60 days passed using 545 HU of heat sum. From silking to waxy maturation (R4) 32 days and 422 HU were needed. It was found that from silking to physiological maturation, typical of the genotype, 815 HU were required. The yield of maize hybrid H470 under irrigation is excellent (20.76 t/ha). The dry matter incorporation dynamics of the hybrid is outstanding. Dry matter gain was measured weekly. At the physiological maturation phenophase (30 August 2024), using 1360 HU, the dry matter content was 77.1%. The dry matter measurements allowed the evaluation of the water loss dynamics of a maize hybrid with excellent yield potential. Measurements and analyses were performed every seven days. The water loss rate was 5.5% in the first week, 5.8% in the second week, 4.6% in the third week and 6.9% in the fourth week. At physiological maturation, grain moisture showed a favourable value (22.9%). After physiological maturation, the daily water loss was 0.23% during the 21-day period.

• Meteorological conditions of maize growing experiments on the agricultural campus of the University of Debrecen in the growing season 2022

  5-19

  Béla Gombos

  János Nagy

  Views:

  185

  In 2022, a very severe drought developed in the Debrecen area. The average yield of the maize experiments at the University of Debrecen was lower than ever before. On several plots the crop yielded practically nothing. The evaluation of the meteorological conditions of such an exceptional year is essential to increase knowledge on the drought susceptibility of maize and to clarify the limits of stress tolerance. As far as possible, meteorological data measured at or near the experimental site should be used. In response to this need, we have investigated and presented the meteorological conditions on the agricultural campus, especially for maize. An important factor in the exceptional nature of the 2022 drought was the lack of sufficient precipitation to recharge the deeper layers of the soils during the previous winter. April was still average in terms of rainfall, but thereafter a very significant rainfall deficit developed. In the three summer months, a total of 66 mm of rain fell, 115 mm below average. The lack of water and its adverse effects were exacerbated by the fact that temperatures in the May-August period were significantly higher than normal. In particular, the summer months were much warmer than the long-term average, with positive temperature anomalies of 3.4 °C, 2.4 °C and 2.9 °C respectively.

• Agrometeorological characteristics of the extreme drought of 2022 in Debrecen-Látókép

  5-18

  Béla Gombos

  János Nagy

  Views:

  177

  A large part of Hungary, including the Debrecen area, was facing a very severe drought in 2022. Our research examined the weather conditions that led to maize yield losses on a scale not seen in decades.
  In the winter before the growing season, deeper soil layers were not able to replenish water, and the spring water availability of maize was particularly low. April was cool with average rainfall. Thereafter, the weather was warm or very warm, sunny and extremely dry practically until the second half of August. Monthly mean temperatures in all three summer months were relatively uniformly 2–3 ºC above the multi-year average, with 44 heat days. In total, only 56 mm of rain fell during the summer, with only two daily rainfall events above 10 mm, which did not contribute significantly to the water supply of the maize due to the very high evaporation capacity of the air. From the beginning of the summer, soil drought severely limited water uptake and transpiration, and maize growth was very poor. The drought (a combination of soil and atmospheric drought), which worsened during the critical phenological phases (flowering and yield formation), left most maize plants infertile.
  The exceptional nature of the drought of 2022 is due to the combination of very hot summer weather, with virtually no precipitation during the main periods, and very low initial soil water availability. In our region, we can expect an increase in drought risk as a result of climate change.

• Analysis of dry matter, nitrogen and calcium incorporation dynamics in Honey sweet maize (Zea mays L. convar. saccharata Koern) hybrids

  21-35

  Zsuzsanna Bakos

  Abakir Abdalla Rania Alrasheed

  Árpád Illés

  János Nagy

  Views:

  170

  The cultivation of sweet maize is of great importance in Hungary. Hungary is the largest producer on the European continent and the second largest exporter in the world after the United States. The average annual production of Hungarian sweet maize, which is in demand all over the world, reaches 500,000 tonnes as a result of the properly selected precision cultivation technology. Yields of sweet maize are above average in precision farming, with nearly 70% of the area irrigated.
  An important factor in the exceptional nature of the drought of 2022 was the lack of rainfall in the previous winter half-year, which was not sufficient to replenish the deeper layers of the soil. April was still average in terms of rainfall, but thereafter a very significant rainfall deficit developed. A total of 66 mm of rain fell in the three summer months. The water shortage and its adverse effects were exacerbated by significantly higher than normal temperatures between May and August. The water deficit was compensated for during the growing season by precision drip irrigation, with 344 mm of water being applied. In particular, the summer months were much warmer than the long-term average, with positive temperature differences of 3.4 °C, 2.4 °C and 2.9 °C respectively. The best indicator of sweet maize yields is dry matter incorporation dynamics.
  Based on the results measured during the phenophase, it was found that the growing season can be divided into three dominant intervals. The Honey maize hybrid produced 18% dry matter in the first stage, from emergence to the juvenile stage, and an additional 4% from the juvenile stage to silking. The intensive stage of dry matter incorporation lasted from silking to the R3 phenophase (harvest), with a total of 72%. Continuous knowledge of the grain moisture content of sweet maize is an important indicator for operational efficiency. Our research showed that, at the R3 phenophase, the moisture contents of plant parts were closely correlated, with the grain moisture content being the highest. Our research results demonstrated that dry matter gain from silking to the R3 (harvest) phase is very intensive, with a total heat requirement of 840 HU for the examined hybrid.

• Analysis of the yield parameters of super sweet maize (Zea mays L. convar saccharata Koern) in different crop years under irrigation

  29-46

  Zsuzsanna Bakos

  János Nagy

  Views:

  153

  The success of sweet maize production is mainly determined by the significant variation in the effects of the crop year. In Hungary, a large number of drought periods justify the use of irrigation. Without irrigation, cultivation is risky, and in a severely drought year, even the return on costs is uncertain. Our tests were carried out in three different years (2020, 2021, 2022). In the growing season (May-August), the rainfall was 138 mm more in 2020, 65 mm less in 2021 and 140 mm less in 2022 compared to the long-term average. The water requirements of sweet maize were met by drip irrigation throughout the period. Based on the experimental results, compared to the yield of 11,359 t/ha in the extreme dry year of 2022, the yield was 5,828 t/ha higher in 2020 and 7,127 t/ha higher in 2021. Based on the results of the scientific research, it has been concluded that sweet maize production without irrigation is risky, but in extreme drought years irrigation cannot fully compensate for the weather effect due to high heat stress.

• Analysing the yield elements of sweet maize (Zea mays conv. saccharata Koern) in irrigation production

  97-111

  János Nagy

  Cintia Demeter

  Zsuzsanna Bakos

  Atala Szabó

  Lúcia Sinka

  Hajer Mohamed Ibrahim Sidahmed

  Károly Simon

  Árpád Illés

  Views:

  182

  The success of sweet maize cultivation is affected by a number of environmental and technological factors. In addition to choosing the appropriate genotypes to cope with stress effects, it is important to use precision farming techniques, nutrient supply and irrigation adapted to the genotype. Sweet maize is one of the most drought-sensitive crops in arable farming, therefore, the use of precision irrigation farming techniques is essential for successful management. Our experiments were carried out under controlled conditions in three different crop years (2020, 2021, 2022). In June and July, irrigation was carried out with drip irrigation. The raw grain weight per hectare of the GSS sweet maize hybrid differed significantly from year to year. In the unfavourable year 2022, the raw grain yield was 10.400 t/ha. In contrast, in 2021 and 2020, the grain yield was significantly higher, at 1.466 and 2.810 tonnes per hectare, respectively. We measured close, consistent relationships between rainfall and irrigation volume when analysing the combined water use. For 1 mm of water (from precipitation and irrigation), we measured 27.1 kg of grain weight in 2020; 25.6 kg in 2021; and 23.5 kg in the unfavourable growing year 2022.

• Agrometeorological characteristics of the 2024 maize growing season in Debrecen-Látókép

  67-78

  Béla Gombos

  János Nagy

  Views:

  154

  The impact of weather on yields is realised in a complex interaction with agrotechnical factors. In this agrometeorological study for the year 2024, the main meteorological factors determining yields were analysed in relation to the agrotechnical elements and phenophases. The research was based on air temperature, soil temperature and precipitation measurements at the Látókép Experimental Station of the University of Debrecen and on sunshine duration data from the HungaroMet Debrecen Airport Station.
  It can be concluded that the year 2024 was characterised by a marked duality in terms of maize production. The weather was favourable until June. Water availability was still adequate (partly due to favourable initial water availability in the soils) and temperatures were mostly above the multi-year average, without periods of extreme heat. Overall, this resulted in a well-developed stand with high yield potential. Subsequently, the weather changed fundamentally. Both July and August mean temperatures were close to record highs (24.2 °C). One of the heatwave peaks was in mid-July, coinciding in several places with the most heat stress-sensitive flowering phenophases of maize. The persistent, extremely hot weather in July-August was primarily responsible for the yield depression in the 2024 growing season. The below-average rainfall, combined with a significant soil depression, mainly during the maturing period. The combination of the soil trough, the atmospheric drought and the extremely high air temperatures caused the significant yield losses.

• Yield and water use efficiency of maize hybrids with different nitrogen responses in a long-term experiment

  35-48

  Zoltán Bódi

  János Nagy

  Views:

  158

  Precision crop production and precision nutrient supply are essential factors in modern agricultural practice. The positioning of new maize hybrids is possible with accurate knowledge of the nutrient needs and responses of plants. As our climate becomes increasingly extreme, the exposure of crop production to weather conditions continues to increase, which requires the cultivation and breeding of hybrids that successfully adapt to the environment. In this study, we tested two Syngenta maize hybrids in a long-term experiment at six nitrogen rates (control N0 kg/ha dose and level 60 kg/ha with nitrogen doses increasing to 300 kg/ha), on irrigated and non-irrigated platforms. The experiment was carried out in a drought year (2021), which is not ideal for maize, with poor rainfall. Based on the results, the hybrids showed two different fertilizer reactions.
  We can classify SY Minerva as a “workhorse”. This group of hybrids is characterized by the fact that they give sufficient yield even on variable soils, their nitrogen response is already marked at low doses (possibly even without nitrogen application, N0+PK 7.23 t/ha and 9.55 t/ha on non-irrigated and irrigated platforms), at higher doses the nitrogen response is more moderate, and yield depression is also experienced, as in the experimental results (the difference between N240+PK and N300+PK levels was -1.77 t/ha on the non-irrigated platform). The initial (N0 kg/ha active ingredient) nitrogen response of the “racehorse” SY Solandri hybrid is low, however, by increasing the nitrogen dose to a high level, they show an outstanding increase in yield under ideal, near-ideal environmental conditions. This can be seen from the yield response to No+PK and N240+PK levels on both platforms.
  On non-irrigated and irrigated platforms, N0+PK levels were 4.62 t/ha and 6.11 t/ha, respectively. N240+PK also produced yields of 10.94 t/ha and 13.25 t/ha under non-irrigated and irrigated conditions. SY Minerva showed outstanding water use results in both treatments with values of 44.4 kg and 40.1 kg/mm in the control plots (N0+PK). SY Solandri had significantly better WUE (Water Use Efficiency) and IRRWUE (IRRigated Water Use Efficiency) values (28.3 and 25.7 kg/mm). Irrigation showed outstanding results for both hybrids in both platforms with optimal N240+PK supply. SY Solandri had an extremely high value of 67.1 kg/mm in the non-irrigated treatment.
  Based on results, it can be concluded that genotype plays a major role in the development of water use efficiency, fertilization positively influenced the WUE and IRRWUE values of both tested hybrids related to the control plot.

• Agrometeorological characteristics of the 2025 maize growing season in the Debrecen region

  45-55

  Béla Gombos

  János Nagy

  Views:

  158

  In Hungary, soil drought, atmospheric drought, and extremely high temperatures often interact in complex ways to cause significant maize yield losses, so the issue of drought was also the focus of the agrometeorological study for 2025. As in previous years, the main meteorological factors determining crop yield were analysed and the weather in the Debrecen region was evaluated in relation to the individual phenological phases.
  At the beginning of the growing season, the upper soil layers were saturated with water, but slightly less water than usual reached the deeper layers. April, which is favorable for maize (sowing and germination period), was followed by a particularly cool May, significantly slowing down plant development. Due to the very dry, very hot June, signs of water stress were already visible to the naked eye in the second half of the month (plant height, leaf condition), as a result of increasing soil drought and regular atmospheric drought during the daytime. July proved to be favorable with rainy and moderately warm weather, which was the main reason why the average maize yield was above average. In line with previous research results, this year's harvest proves that the seemingly extremely unfavorable weather in June does not in itself prevent above-average yields.

• Smart parameter analysis of maize hybrids with different FAO numbers (Zea mays L.)

  5-20

  János Sólyom

  Csaba Bojtor

  Árpád Illés

  Annabella Zelenák

  János Nagy

  Views:

  181

  Maize is a heat-intensive crop and requires a lot of water. Rainfall is the main meteorological factor determining the yield, and water scarcity is the biggest problem in maize production. When the growing season is dry and temperatures are above average, soil drought typically develops in the summer. The dry autumn-winter period preceding the growing season increases the risk of drought. In our research, we studied five different FAO maize genotypes using intensive cultivation techniques, determining the yields that can be obtained and the main yield parameters that determine the yields and the relationships between them. In our experiment, all five maize hybrids showed excellent yield performance. The highest yield was obtained by hybrid H11 (18.4 t/ha), which exceeded the values of the other tested hybrids by about 5.7–22.8%. Significant differences were measured between the individual grain weight values of the hybrids. Hybrid H13 stood out with the highest individual grain weight value, exceeding the other genotypes by 1.6–25.9%. Based on the correlation analysis between the individual parameters, we demonstrated a significant (p<0.05) positive correlation of individual grain weight with individual grain number values (r=0.568) and also with grain moisture at harvest (r=0.592). Our results indicate that each of the measured individual yield parameters contribute differently to high yield, resulting in significant effects.