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Impact of different tillage systems on the yield parameters, protein, carbohydrate and oil content of different genotypes of maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids
37-57Views:39The 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. -
Effect of some agrotechnical factors on maize (Zea mays L.) on the chemical composition of grain yields
109-120Views:19In a long term experiment (established in 1983), we investigated the grain yield parameters of maize in the year 2023 with favourable water supply on chernozem soil with calcareous loess. The tests were carried out with the DA 7250 NIR instrument. Crop rotation did not significantly affect protein, oil and starch content. The effect of irrigation varied depending on the rotation. In mono- and tri-cultures, irrigation decreased protein content (mono: dry 7.20%, irrigated 6.90%; tri: dry 7.44%, irrigated 7.24%), while starch content increased (mono: dry 64.97%, irrigated 65.22%; tri: dry 64.78%, irrigated 65.06%). Opposite effects were observed in bicultural conditions (protein - dry: 6.88%, irrigated: 7.21%; starch - dry: 65.16%, irrigated 64.18%). Among the agrotechnical elements, fertilisation had the highest significant effect on protein and starch content of maize. In all three crop rotations, increasing fertiliser rates increased the protein content (mean of dry and irrigated treatments from 6.51% to 7.39% in monoculture, from 6.56% to 7.35% in biculture, from 6.97% to 7.35% in tri-culture), 55%), while, on the contrary, the starch content was reduced (from 65.99% to 64.55% in monoculture, from 65.78% to 63.94% in biculture, from 65.15% to 64.42% in triculture). The oil content was not affected by fertilisation. -
Dry matter incorporation and water loss dynamics of different FAO maize hybrids
79-102Views:43Based on the results of our field experiments, we evaluated the most important values and parameters of four different FAO maize hybrids. For the evaluation of the performance and quality of the hybrids, we used the useful heat sum (HU) values for the developmental stages as a novel approach.
For each of the four different FAO hybrids, we investigated in a novel and unique way the useful heat sum requirement of maize hybrids in the most important phenophases preceding dry matter incorporation and water loss dynamics. We also recorded the number of days from emergence at each phenophase, allowing comparison with literature data. Dry matter incorporation was assessed at R2, R4 (wax maturity) and physiological maturity, and at harvest. The dry matter incorporation dynamics study was started on 31/07/2023 for the four different FAO hybrids to meet the requirement of a reliable comparison.
The reliable sampling data allowed the analysis of the water release dynamics in the light of thermal energy use. Three water discharge intervals were evaluated between the four sampling dates.
The yields of four maize hybrids with different FAO numbers were significantly different. The highest yields were obtained by the hybrid with excellent ability FAO 480 (19.53 t/ha).
In all cases, the grain moisture content at harvest of the maize hybrids tested was closely related to the length of the growing season. The grain moisture content of the hybrids differed significantly at harvest.
Starch content was closely related to yield, with the FAO 480 hybrid having the highest yield and starch content, while the FAO 350 hybrid had the lowest yield and starch content. Specific protein content showed a strong inverse correlation with yield. The FAO 350 hybrid had the lowest yield (13.62 t/ha) and the highest protein content (7.69%), while the FAO 480 hybrid had the highest yield (19.53 t/ha) and the lowest protein content (5.78%). In all cases, the oil content of the maize hybrids tested showed a strong correlation with yield. The oil contents of the hybrids were significantly different.
The new research results suggest a strong correlation between oil synthesis and yield per hectare, but further field experiments and laboratory tests are needed to confirm this. -
Evaluation of maize (Zea mays L.) parameters in different phenophases as a function of heat sums in irrigated production
85-103Views:22In 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. -
Quality analysis of different FAO number maize hybrids (Zea mays L.) in irrigated production
113-124Views:44Three maize hybrids of different ripening periods and FAO numbers (350, 450 and 550) were examined at the Látókép Experiment Site of the University of Debrecen. The precipitation deficit was compensated by irrigation in the extremely drought year of 2022.
When evaluating the yield of the maize hybrids, it was found that the hybrids with higher FAO number produced more yield. Compared to the yield of the FAO 350 hybrid (14.241 t ha-1), the FAO 450 hybrid yielded 12% more and the FAO 550 hybrid 13.3% more significantly.
When grain moisture values were analysed, a similar correlation was found, with higher grain moisture associated with higher yields. It was found that, compared to the grain moisture of the FAO 350 hybrid (15.1%), the FAO 450 hybrid showed significantly higher values by 7% and the FAO 550 hybrid by 29%.
Based on the quality analysis of maize grain, it was found that the protein content, in contrast to yield and grain moisture values, was reliably lower as the FAO numbers increased. Compared to the protein content of the FAO 350 hybrid (7.27%), the FAO 450 hybrid achieved 14% and the FAO 550 hybrid 18% lower values. Oil content did not differ significantly between hybrids with different FAO numbers (3.82; 3.54 and 3.14%). Starch content was 2–3% higher in the higher FAO hybrids, but the difference was not significant. -
The international and domestic situation of peanut production, challenges and opportunities in Hungarian agriculture
105-120Views:46Peanuts are one of the most widely consumed oilseeds in the world, with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reporting that 50.48 million tonnes of peanuts were produced worldwide in 2024 (Agrocrops 2024, USDA 2025)
Peanuts are used in a variety of ways – as a key ingredient in many snacks, confectionery and peanut butter, and as a protein-rich feed for livestock. Similarly, peanut oil is used for frying, peanut flour for cooking and peanut shells for heating.
Peanut cultivation could open a new era in domestic agriculture. As is well known, the cultivation of peanuts is becoming increasingly important in world agriculture, as they are a popular crop worldwide for their nutritional value and versatility. Demand for peanuts on the international market continues to grow, especially among health-conscious consumers.
China produces the highest annual volume of peanuts. According to market statistics, the best quality crops come from farms in Argentina and the USA, and large quantities are grown in Asia (Agrocrops 2024).
Peanuts were first introduced to Europe in 1840 by Jaubert, from the Cap Verde Islands to Marseilles. It was also used at one time to make coffee grounds In 1925, the seed, separated into two leaves and roasted, was marketed in the German Reich and Switzerland under the name of African walnut coffee (Agrártudományi Közlemények 09/1957). According to König, however, the peeled, defatted and roasted groundnut was marketed as Austria coffee (MTA Urania 1923, Ortutay 1977).
In Hungary, in the 1930s, the Agricultural Experimental Institute of the Hungarian Great Plain was involved in experiments on peanut cultivation In the 1950s, under the direction of János Bruder, 300 hectares of peanuts were cultivated in the vicinity of Mezőhegyes and Medgyesegyháza (MTA Urania 1923, Tétényi 1951, Karakasevich 1957). Although peanuts, which occupy a prominent place in world agriculture, entered the domestic cultivation sector at the beginning of the last century, they did not become a significant crop in Hungary despite their initial success. Today, Hungarian peanuts are the winner of climate change, based on the experience of recent years (Balla 2021). -
Analysing the plant density response of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) on heterogeneous production sites
87-95Views:17Sunflower is considered a crop that uses soil moisture to the maximum, but it is true that the amount of available water is a limiting factor. Sunflower hybrids use soil water resources with varying efficiency, which is also greatly influenced by the number of plants sown per hectare. The use of satellite remote sensing and positioning, sensor-based measurement, GIS data analysis and processing software, and the emergence and use of technical solutions for differentiated sowing rates, open up the possibility of examining the possibility of site-specific plant density control in sunflower production. In this study, an attempt was made to determine the best sunflower plant density interval for the heterogeneous fertility zones of a given production area. The fertility zones were established using novel GIS methods. In the selected sample areas, three distinct fertility zones were defined. In each fertility zone, three plant density steps were used in four replicates. In the high and average fertility zones, increasing plant density resulted in slightly higher yields, while in the low fertility zones, sowing with reduced plant density did not cause a significant yield difference compared to the standard value. For moisture and oil content, no practical differences between plant density values could be detected. -
Analysis of individual parameters of maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids in irrigated long-term field experiment
49-83Views:12The sustainable development of crop production is one of today's most important agronomic challenges. Modern technologies such as precision farming, including nutrient management and irrigation strategies, play a key role in optimising yields and ensuring sustainability. In an experiment set up at the DE AKIT DTTI Látókép Crop Production Experiment Site, we investigated the phenometric (leaf area index, development dynamics), physiological (relative chlorophyll content, NDVI value, water release dynamics) and yield parameters (yield, individual ear and kernel weight, individual kernel number, thousand kernel weight, protein, oil, starch and grain moisture content). Based on the evaluation of yield, it was found that the highest yield (20.95 t/ha) was obtained by the mid-ripening FAO 390 hybrid, significantly higher than the yield of the other examined hybrids. Altogether, it was found that there were significant, in many cases statistically significant, differences in the phenometric, physiological and yield parameters studied between maize hybrids of different maturity, allowing for a precise differentiation of the main traits of each hybrid. -
Effect of the year on yield, grain moisture, and quality parameters of maize (Zea mays L.) (2020–2023)
51-68Views:41Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important arable crops in Hungary, whose yield stability and quality have increasingly depended on annual and climatic conditions in recent years. The period between 2020 and 2023 clearly illustrates that variability in temperature and precipitation patterns fundamentally determines yield performance, grain moisture content, and quality parameters. While in 2020 balanced heat and water availability ensured high yields, favorable starch content, and an extended ripening period, in 2022 the extreme drought and record-high temperatures resulted in a drastic yield reduction, low grain moisture, and moderate starch content.
During critical phenological phases – particularly flowering and grain filling – heat stress and water shortage greatly influenced pollination success, dry matter accumulation, and thus overall crop quality. In unfavorable years, an increase in protein and oil content at the expense of starch was often observed, indicating an inverse relationship between quantitative and qualitative parameters. Although lower grain moisture at harvest can offer technological advantages, rapid water loss may lead to structural damage and an increased risk of mycotoxin contamination.
The results of the examined period highlight that extreme weather factors caused by climate change—heatwaves, drought periods, and precipitation deficits—not only limit yield potential but also alter quality traits. Therefore, in the future, adapting to year-to-year variations will play a key role: the use of stress-tolerant hybrids, optimization of sowing dates, adoption of water-conserving tillage practices, and targeted irrigation strategies can collectively enhance the stability of maize production under changing agroclimatic conditions. -
Evaluation of smart parameters based on results from maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids of different genotypes
5-28Views:14In Hungary, the efficiency of arable crop production is significantly determined by the quality of maize production practices. The comparative study of maize hybrids and the establishment of a field trial was initiated in 1977 by the KITE in Nádudvar at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences of the predecessor University of Agricultural Sciences in Debrecen. This is also the reason why the University of Debrecen, in a unique way in Europe, has all the conditions for field experiments (tillage × irrigation × fertilisation × plant number × hybrids × sowing date interactions) at its Látókép Experiment Site. The results of field experiments are suitable for the state-of-the-art development of precision farming technologies. The new scientific findings, in particular the reliable parameters measured in comparative experiments on maize hybrids, will serve the practical application and effectiveness of precision farming.
Using the results of field experiments, we evaluated the smart parameters of four maize hybrids of different genotypes. These parameters help in hybrid selection and adaptation of hybrid-specific precision farming technology. The examined maize hybrids showed excellent phenological traits, i.e. plant height: 320–340 cm, ear height: 138–151 cm, stalk diameter: 20.5–21.5 mm. Leaf area indices varied significantly (3.6–4.7 m2/m2). The highest yield was obtained by hybrid P 9985 (17.53 t/ha), which exceeded the other hybrids by 1.48–2.37 t/ha. The parameters SPAD, NDVI, grain number, thousand grain weight, grain moisture, grain number per ear and ear weight were studied in the experiment. The hybrids had excellent content values: protein content: 5.7–6.5%, starch content: 75.2–76.5%, oil content: 3.1–3.6%.
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