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Investigation of the effect of wool and straw mulch in an open-field tomato experiment
23-33Views:11We investigated the effects of fatty wool and wheat straw mulch on soil moisture, soil temperature values, and berry yield development in an outdoor tomato experiment on clay loam soil using small plot trials. In terms of soil moisture, both mulching treatments and the measurement dates (8 occasions) showed significantly more favorable values compared to the control tomato plants. No significant differences were found among the treatments for soil temperature, only between the measurement dates. The berry yield for both types of natural mulch exceeded the control values (4.04 kg/plant), with statistically significant differences observed between the untreated (control) and mulched (straw and wool) treatments. No significant difference was noted between the straw (7.54 kg/plant) and wool (6.69 kg/plant) mulched treatments. However, in the case of the wool mulch several practical insights have been provided for future applications, inspiring further research work. -
Real-time soil ammonia gas monitoring with IoT technology
105-118Views:15Today, environmental monitoring is increasingly important in arable crop production due to the importance of weather, sustainable nutrient and water management. This paper presents a new innovative technology based on wireless data link and transmission and its results for monitoring soil ammonia emissions using Internet of Things (IoT) technology based on the measurement of environmental characteristics could be a practical method in the future. It is a monitoring system for sustainable and environmentally friendly crop production. The sensors used will ensure the monitoring of soil ammonia emissions, a method that provides fast and accurate monitoring. The results show a periodic trend in NH3 fluxes, with higher amounts in the spring (warmer) periods after nitrogen fertilisation. Results of multivariate linear regression analyses indicate that soil moisture, temperature, humidity and air pressure significantly influence NH3 emissions. -
Evaluation of soil penetration resistance in different tillage systems
119-140Views:43In addition to traditional tillage systems, more biologically based farming systems have emerged. New tillage systems can be developed using various scientific results and technical technological possibilities. This research started six years ago and the results of the last two years are presented here. In the examination, four different tillage systems have been established on the same site. Measuring penetration resistance is a common technique for evaluating field effects and the effects of tillage systems on soil can be evaluated using this value.
The performed measurements show that conventional tillage systems based on ploughing develop a fundamentally different structure in the soil section up to 50 cm than the three different no-tillage systems examined. -
Analysis of dry matter, nitrogen and calcium incorporation dynamics in Honey sweet maize (Zea mays L. convar. saccharata Koern) hybrids
21-35Views:42The 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. -
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. -
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. -
The impact of irrigation and basal and top dressing fertilisation on the chlorophyll concentration and yield of maize hybrids in extreme dry years
7-30Views:22The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of irrigation and the amount and timing of application of nitrogen basal and top dressing fertilisation on the chlorophyll concentration (SPAD) and grain yield of maize hybrids of different genotypes on chernozem soil with lime deposits in an extreme dry year (2022). It was shown that moisture deficit impaired the uptake and utilisation of fertilisers by plants. The SPAD value was not affected by fertiliser application in the non-irrigated version, with the expection of the Fornad hybrid (V12180, p<0.05). In the irrigated version, all three hybrids reached the maximum value (p<0.05) under the A60 treatment. Chlorophyll concentration was extremely low at all developmental stages due to drought. The maximum SPAD value (p<0.05) (43.2–48.8) was reached at the V8 phenophase in both the non-irrigated and irrigated versions, and then decreased significantly (10.5–15.4) by the harvesting period. A difference in SPAD value was detected between the hybrids at the early vegetation period, between Armagnac and Merida (p<0.05), where Merida had higher SPAD values in both versions. Yield was increased (p<0.05) when N was applied as a basal fertiliser (A120) at 120 kg/ha, except for the non-irrigated version of the Merida hybrid, which is indicative of the drought tolerance of the hybrid (41.0 SPAD value, V6150 treatment, 10.060 t/ha). Chlorophyll content is sensitive to moisture deficit, so that chlorophyll degradation started early in the growing season, irrigation delayed this process, which was reflected in grain yield depending on genotype and fertiliser treatment. The effect of irrigation was greatest in the treatment V6150 (5.267 t/ha) of the Armagnac hybrid, V690 (4.075 t/ha) of the Fornad hybrid and A120 (4.160 t/ha) of the Merida hybrid. It was found that, under specific conditions (extreme drought), chlorophyll concentration is an effective aid in selecting drought tolerant hybrids. Furthermore, under natural rainfall conditions, in extreme drought years, the early maturity Merida (FAO 380) hybrid can be recommended for cultivation with the V6150 treatment, while the medium maturity Armagnac (FAO 490) hybrid can be recommended for cultivation by applying the A120 treatment, if irrigation is possible. The one-year results of the field experiment are not sufficient to make a definite conclusion, but such an extreme drought year has not occurred in Hungary for four decades. -
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. -
Smart parameter analysis of maize hybrids with different FAO numbers (Zea mays L.)
5-20Views:40Maize 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. -
Evaluation of smart parameters of FAO 520 maize hybrid (Zea mays L.) in drip irrigation long-term experiments
65-79Views:37Climate 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%.
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