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  • Evaluation of smart parameters based on results from maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids of different genotypes
    5-28
    Views:
    43
    In 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%.
  • Examination of drought tolerance in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and maize (Zea mays L.)
    43-46
    Views:
    42
    The experiments were set up in the foil tent in Szarvas, at the Galambos experimental site belonging to the MATE KÖTI Department of Irrigation Development and Land Improvement. 10 liter white plastic buckets were used as cultivation pot. The diameter of the bucket is 27.5 cm, so the ground surface is 593.6 cm2. The wheat experiment was set up on November 4, 2020, with 3 wheat varieties, at 3 water supply levels (Field Water Capacity „FWC”; FWC40%, FWC60% and FWC80%) in 3 repetitions, in a total of 27 cultivation pots. The maize experiment was set up on April 19, 2021, with 5 maize hybrids, at 3 water supply levels, in 3 repetitions, in a total of 45 cultivation pots.
    In the soil we use, the amount of parts that can be silted is 31.6%, so it is a sandy loam physical type soil, the chemistry is weakly acidic (pHH2O 6.54), based on the total salt content soluble in water, it has a low salt content (salt%<0.1).
    In the experiment, the drought tolerance of 3 different wheat varieties (MV Nemere, GK Szilárd and Sothys) and 5 maize hybrids (GKT 4486 (Lehel), GK SILOSTAR, GKT 372, GKT 376, GKT 3385) was investigated under conditions deprived of natural precipitation.
    The following phenological parameters were measured in the experiment: Relative chlorophyll content (SPAD) with a Konica SPAD 501 instrument, Leaf area (cm2) (CI-203 Handheld Laser Leaf Area Meter), Leaf area index (LAI m2/m2), Plant height (cm), Leaf and stem weight (g), Root weight (g), Ear/Tube weight (g) and yielding parameters.
    In the experiment, all three wheat varieties responded very well to the increase in water content. Total biomass and root mass also increased, but the change from FWC40% to FWC60% was on a larger scale than from FWC60% to FWC80%.
    When examining the amount of grain yield, in the case of the lowest water supply (FWC40%), the most yield was produced by Sothys (34.15 g/cultivation pot; 5.75 t/ha), while the lowest yield was given by Mv Nemere (26.69 g/cultivation pot); 4.50 t/ha). The largest yields were obtained in the case of the best water supply. Sothys produced a very good yield (69.58 g/cultivation pot; 11.72 t/ha) with a water supply of FWC80%, and the lowest yield here was also achieved by MV Nemere (56.70 g/cultivation pot; 9.55 t/ha) with yield.
    The quality test results of the wheat showed that the quality parameters of the three investigated varieties uniformly deteriorated as a result of the increased water supply. The value of the larger amount of available water increases the yields, which negatively affected the quality.
    From the results of the maize experiment, it can be deduced that the chlorophyll content of the maize hybrids was higher with good and average water supply (FWC80% and FWC60%), and that the hybrids remained green longer and photosynthesized longer, that is, the growing time of the maize hybrids was extended with good water supply.
    In dry conditions (FWC40%), the performance of two hybrids was outstanding. Under these conditions, the maize hybrids GKT 372 and GKT 376 gave 65% more cob mass than the hybrids following them. The other important investigated property is the "irrigation reaction" of the hybrids. Based on our tests, GK SILOSTAR is a maize hybrid with a good reaction to irrigation but sensitive to drought, while GKT 376 is a maize hybrid with an excellent reaction to irrigation and also drought tolerance.
  • Smart parameter analysis of maize hybrids with different FAO numbers (Zea mays L.)
    5-20
    Views:
    145
    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.
  • Correlation between quality and quantity of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in different crop years
    103-118
    Views:
    49
    Winter wheat is one of the most popular arable crops in Hungary and worldwide. Its cultivation dates back thousands of years and it is one of the most versatile crops. Its most important role lies in human nutrition, as it is an important staple food for mankind. The global population boom has led to an increasing demand for food raw materials of sufficient quantity and quality. The most important quality parameters for winter wheat are protein content, gluten content, gluten content, starch content and Zeleny index.
    In this comparative genotype experiment, the quality parameters and the relationship between the quantity and quality of winter wheat of different genotypes were investigated in two different rainfall years: a drought year (2021/2022) and a rainfall year (2022/2023). The obtained results show that in the rainy year, the genotypes had significantly higher yield averages and on average higher values for moisture and protein content. Pearson's correlation analysis was used to examine the relationship between the quantity and quality of yield for each genotype in both growing seasons and averaged over the two growing seasons. It was found that quality parameters were negatively correlated with yield quantity when averaged over the two examined years and genotypes.
  • Effect of genotype and some agrotechnical factors on quality parameters of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
    61-76
    Views:
    34
    In a long-term experiment, the quality parameters (protein, starch, dry matter, wet matter, Zeleny index, grain hardness) of nine winter wheat varieties and hybrids were examined using DA 7250 NIR on calcareous chernozem soil after different previous crops (sweet maize, sunflower, grain maize) in three fertiliser treatments (control, N90+PK, N150+PK). The experimental results demonstrated that the crop rotation had only a small, non-significant effect on quality parameters. Fertilisation and genotype had the greatest effect on these parameters. The obtained results showed that the protein and starch content of wheat genotypes varied in opposite directions with agrotechnical factors. Fertilisation significantly increased the protein content of wheat genotypes (control 7.40–11.73%; N150+PK 11.21–16.22%) and significantly decreased the starch content (control 73.55–76.56%; N150+PK 67.80–75.10%). Dry and wet protein content were significantly modified by fertilisation and genotype. The wet meal content varied from 11.38–23.55% in the control treatment and from 24.38–37.22% in the N150+PK fertiliser treatment. Of the examined genotypes, GK Börzsöny and KG Vitéz belonged to the premium (improvement) baking group on the basis of wet gluten. Zeleny index and grain hardness were significantly increased by fertilisation. Zeleny index varied from 8.30 to 27.63 ml and grain hardness from 16.34 to 69.88 ml in the control treatment and from 31.19 to 42.17 ml and 42.75 to 84.11 ml in the N150+PK treatment, depending on the previous crop and genotype, respectively. Based on long-term experimental results, Hydrock, Hyxperia and Hycardi hybrids showed the best Zeleny index. The genotypes with the best Zeleny index scored only average values for other quality parameters.
  • Effect of the year on yield, grain moisture, and quality parameters of maize (Zea mays L.) (2020–2023)
    51-68
    Views:
    129
    Maize (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.
  • Effects of fertilisation frequency on the development of 'Australian yellow leaf' lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. crispa) under aeroponic cultivation
    23-43
    Views:
    37
    The high nutritional value and mineral content of lettuce has attracted the interest of many researchers in indoor experiments. Therefore, in our research, we chose ’Australian yellow leaf’ lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. crispa) as the experimental plant. In aeroponic systems, the droplet size, the intensity of the nutrient application and the light are the most important parameters that determine the physical and nutritional parameters of the plants. Based on these, the aim of the study was to determine the effect of different nutrient application intensities on aeroponically grown ’Australian yellow leaf’ lettuce. Four treatments were set up in the aeroponic system (AeroFlo20) which means 1st treatment – 10×15 min/day, 2nd treatment – 8×8 min/day, 3rd treatment – 4×15 min/day, 4th treatment – 2×30 min/day. During the nine weeks of the experiment, leaf number (pcs/plant) and root length (cm) development, total chlorophyll (µg/g) and carotenoid content (µg/g), water potential (bar) and stress parameters (Fv/Fm, Fv/Fo) were measured. Based on our results, it can be concluded that leaf number, plant height and root length increased with decreasing nutrient application intensity in ’Australian yellow leaf’ lettuce, so that 30 min of nutrient application twice daily is sufficient if these parameters are taken into account. In the case of water potential, significantly higher values were obtained for the treatment with most daily nutrient applications (10 times 15 min/day) (-3.72±0.33 bar) than for the treatment where plants were given nutrient solution twice a day (p<0.05).
  • Analysis of reserve proteins in sunflower hybrids using a MALDI-TOF MS device
    81-90
    Views:
    40
    One of the basic for the successful production of hybrid seeds is ensuring the genetic homogenity of the parental lines and their hybrids. This can be assessed using laboratory methods, such as protein markers, isozymes, and molecular markers, as well as field tests. MALDI-TOF MS (matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry) is particularly suitable for examining the genetic homogenity of seeds, as it allows obtaining a unique “protein fingerprint” for each sample based on the detected m/z values and peak intensities. Proteins appear as characteristic peaks in the mass spectrum, and their presence or absence can be used to infer the uniformity of the samples. The advantage of MALDI-TOF lies in its ability to rapidly and reliably detect proteins, even in complex samples, while measurement parameters – relative intensity, absolute intensity, signal-to-noise ratio, resolution, and peak area – allow an objective evaluation of spectrum quality. In homogeneous seed samples, spectra display nearly identical peaks and intensities, whereas heterogeneous samples exhibit differing peak patterns. Thus, this technique is fast, sensitive, and reproducible, enabling the monitoring of marker proteins, comparison of spectra, and precise determination of genetic homogenity.
  • Impact of different production techniques with different intensities on the on the quality of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
    93-108
    Views:
    47
    Interactive effects of crop models, crop rotation and fertiliser application on the quality parameters of winter wheat grain yield in a long-term experiment on calcareous chernozem soil in the growing season of 2023. The results of our research showed that different intensity of technological models (different fungicide use, foliar fertilisers and growth regulators) had no or only partial (tri-culture) significant effects on the quality parameters (protein, starch, dry and wet gluten content, Zeleny index, grain hardness) of wheat. Protein and starch content showed a negative correlation. Higher values of protein, dry and wet gluten, Zeleny index and grain hardness were measured in the tri-culture rotation than in the biculture rotation. Of the quality indicators, only starch content was higher in biculture. The highest significant effect of fertilisation on the quality parameters was observed. The protein, dry and wet gluten contents increased with increasing fertiliser rates in the intervals 7.58–13.42%, 4.48–11.32%, 12.06–31.10% in biculture and 7.93–14.41%, 5.45–12.85% and 13.86–34.79% in triculture, respectively. In biculture, in the N200+PK (highest) fertiliser treatment, the wet gluten content reached the milling category I (31.13–32.10%), which is of good quality, while in triculture, the milling category I (31.22–32.62%) was already reached in the N100+PK fertiliser treatment, and in the N200+PK treatment, these values (34.55–34.79%) were in the premium quality category. In triculture crop rotation, protein, dry and wet gluten contents were significantly increased in the control (without fertiliser and foliar fertiliser) treatment due to the physiological activating effects of foliar fertilisers when super intensive technology was applied. Zeleny index and grain hardness values were lower in biculture (4.66–34.51 ml and 10.9–86.1, respectively) than in triculture (12.86–39.61 ml and 29.0–93.1, respectively), and significantly increased with fertiliser application in both rotations.
  • Evaluation of the efficiency of the Debrecen Wastewater Treatment Plant
    59-81
    Views:
    37
    Proper collection and treatment of wastewater is a priority today to protect environmental values and aquatic ecosystems. In the process of doing so, sewage sludge is produced, which is a by-product of the treatment process. Proper treatment, disposal and disposal of sludge must be ensured in all cases. Wastewater treatment is carried out in several stages, using several methods simultaneously.
    The data show that in both years under review, the treated effluent discharged complies with the limits for BOI5, COD, total nitrogen and total phosphorus set in Decree 28/2004 (25. 12. 2004) of the Ministry of Public Works and Water Management, and therefore does not cause any environmental damage at the receiving site.
    The sewage sludge produced by the treatment plant may be suitable as a substitute for macro- and micro-nutrient fertilisers on the basis of its content. Due to its favourable properties, it could allow a sustainable and economical agricultural use in the long term.
    The performance of the Debrecen Wastewater Treatment Plant meets the requirements in terms of the parameters examined. It can be concluded that, if the quality and quantity of raw sewage arriving at the plant are not changed, and no technological changes are made, the treatment efficiency will not change.
  • Analysis of individual parameters of maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids in irrigated long-term field experiment
    49-83
    Views:
    41
    The 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.
  • Analysis of the effect of agrotechnical parameters and crop year on maize (Zea mays L.) yield using polyfactorial yield trial data
    77-100
    Views:
    120
    Field crop production is of paramount importance, the fundamental basis of food production and the source of our livelihood. Maize is one of the world's most important crops, essential for both food and energy security. The research was carried out in Hungary, at the University of Debrecen's Látókép Experimental Site, on calcareous chernozem soil in a complex tillage experiment, set up in 1989 by Prof. Dr. János Nagy. The analysis of the examined years (2015–2023) was carried out in a similar way as in the research of Gombos and Nagy (2019, 2022, 2023, 2024), i.e. we examined the deviation of the total precipitation and mean annual temperature of the given year from the 30-year (1981–2010) site average. RStudio and repeated measures model and LSD post hoc test are used to analyse the maize yield data.
    Of the nine years studied, 2015 was the year with the third lowest significant maize yield (7.94 t/ha). The subsequent year 2016 yielded the second highest significant maize yield of the studied period (11.39 t/ha), The 2017 yield (8.64 t/ha) was significantly lower than the preceding year, while 2018 was more favourable for maize (9.18 t/ha). The 2019 harvest produced the statistically third highest maize yield (9.42 t/ha) in the studied period. The yield of 2020 (9.24 t/ha) was not significantly different from that of 2018, but was statistically different from all other years. The yield of maize in the unfavourable year 2021 (7.05 t/ha) was statistically the second lowest in the studied period. Of the nine studied years, the most unfavourable year for maize was the record drought year of 2022, when a yield of 2.52 t/ha was observed. The following year, 2023, recorded the highest maize yield of the studied period, 11.97 t/ha. The greatest impact on maize yield was exerted by the crop year with 73.5%, followed by fertilisation with 24.7%. The effect of tillage was 1%, because the different base crops performed differently depending on the crop year, thus neutralising the effect.
  • Evaluation of the effects of silicon and sulfur treatments on the vegetative growth and root morphological characteristics of winter oats
    19-34
    Views:
    4
    Oats are one of the world’s major feed and food crops, possessing outstanding nutritional value. The development of the plant’s root system plays a decisive role in nutrient uptake, thereby indirectly influencing crop yield as well. In the present study, we analyzed the effect of silicon, sulfur, and the combined application of these nutrients on the vegetative development of winter oats in a pot experiment under natural weather conditions—with the exception of water supply - in a non-controlled environment.
    Sulfur (S) is an essential nutrient, as it is a component of the amino acids cysteine and methionine, making it vital for protein synthesis, and it plays an important role in enzymatic processes and plant defense mechanisms. Silicon (Si) is generally not considered an essential element; however, it has been shown to have numerous beneficial physiological effects in cereal crops, as it increases plant strength by incorporating into the cell wall and improves plants’ resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses. The combined use of these two elements can result in a synergistic effect. Due to the effects of climate change in Hungary, the use of technological elements to mitigate plant stress is becoming increasingly important; foliar fertilizers containing sulfur and silicon can serve as a good alternative, thereby enhancing yield stability even under less predictable climatic conditions. The studies were conducted using instrumental measurements and objective analytical methods
    Based on our results, plants treated with silicon and sulfur showed the most favorable SPAD values, while no detectable difference was observed among treatments in terms of NDVI values. When examining plant height, the combined treatment yielded the highest average values, similarly to the tillering rate; however, these differences were not statistically significant compared to the control. For root length, the highest average values were also measured with the combined treatment, which was statistically significantly different from the results of the other treatments. Regarding root mass, the sulfur treatment yielded the highest values; however, in this case, the difference was not significant. Based on the results of our experiment, it can be concluded that the use of the combined treatment had a positive effect on SPAD, plant height, tillering rate, and root length, promoting plant growth and thereby indirectly influencing crop yield.
  • Evaluation of smart parameters of FAO 520 maize hybrid (Zea mays L.) in drip irrigation long-term experiments
    65-79
    Views:
    129
    Climate change poses increasing challenges for maize production. Climate change is particularly noticeable in Hungary. When growing maize hybrids, special attention must be paid to nutrient and water supply. Irrigation development and the installation of irrigation systems are key elements of precision maize cultivation. One such intensive technology is drip irrigation, which ensures efficient crop production in a planned and controlled manner. This precision irrigation technique delivers water directly to the root zone, optimising water supply. The movement of nitrogen in the soil, which is necessary for yield formation, is highly dependent on irrigation. Monitoring the nitrogen supply of plants provides important information. The most commonly used methods for this are the SPAD and NDVI indices, which have a wide range of applications.
    The tests were carried out at the Látókép Experimental Station of the University of Debrecen, where all the conditions are in place to carry out important analyses by comparing accurate measurement data collected over many years. This time, the subject of the study was the FAO520 maize hybrid. Based on the long-term experiment results, the H520 maize hybrid has good phenotypic characteristics, a stable structure, high yield potential, good adaptability, and fast water release dynamics. The yield of the H520 maize hybrid is excellent in irrigated cultivation (21.41 t/ha). The dry matter accumulation dynamics of the hybrid are outstanding. The grain moisture content at harvest was very favorable, at 13.9%.
  • Harvest time evaluation of sweet maize (Zea mays L. convar. saccharata Koern) hybrids based on dry matter and sucrose yield dynamics
    53-68
    Views:
    120
    Hungarian sweet maize production, in demand worldwide, averages 500,000 tonnes over several years, thanks to well-chosen precision farming technology. In agriculture, the success of sweet maize production is influenced by many factors, and therefore we are constantly faced with practical challenges. Limited data are available on the dynamics of sugar accumulation in plants, especially under abiotic stress. We investigated a sweet maize hybrid for public cultivation in an experiment set up on the campus of the University of Debrecen, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Environmental Management. Quality parameters were determined from grain samples taken at harvest under laboratory conditions at the Agricultural Instrument Centre of the Faculty. In our sweet maize field experiment, dry matter content and sucrose content were measured in grain samples taken at four sampling times. Based on our measurement results, we found that the dry matter gain dynamics of the four examined sweet maize hybrids were different, all with linear increasing trends. Based on our research results, we demonstrated that dry matter and sucrose yields of all four hybrids were most favourable for harvesting at the third sampling time. Compared to the first sampling date, in two weeks, dry matter yield increased by 46% and sucrose content tripled in a tonne of sweet maize grain yield. Thereafter, dry matter and sucrose gains slowed down.
  • Response of Szeged winter wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum L.) to drought stress
    63-78
    Views:
    46
    In our experiments, we aimed to identify which cultivars from the applied breeding program have favorable drought stress resistance properties. The experiments described in this paper were conducted under field conditions from 2013 to 2022, using the automatic rain shelter system of our institute, as well as the adjacent control treatments. Twelve Szeged wheat cultivars and one drought-tolerant control cultivar, Plainsman V., were compared for their response to drought stress based on three agronomically important parameters (heading time, plant height and yield). The effect of water deprivation was most pronounced on yield, with an average yield depression of 31% observed in the tested cultivars. Heading time and plant height were not as sensitive to water deprivation, but significant differences were observed in some cultivars based on these parameters as well. In some cases, considerable deviations were observed in positive and negative directions from the average values among the tested cultivars. Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded which cultivars are suitable for cultivation in drought-prone areas, can be used for further detailed research on the effects of drought stress, and can serve as a breeding material for drought tolerance.
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