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Analysis of nutrient, heat and water deficit stress by reflectance and fluorescence measurements in sunflower plants
25-42Views:59During the experiment we used several types of data collection, reflectance measurements, fluorescence measurements, photosynthesis measurements and pigment content measurements. We calculated vegetation indices from the reflectance spectra and selected the most useful ones from the fluorescence data. Photosynthesis and pigment content measurements were correlated with vegetation indices. Among the indices, the VIgreen index proved to be effective in detecting and partitioning abiotic stresses and in determining nitrogen supply. The PRI index correlated best with the level of photosynthesis and the mNDVI index showed a strong correlation with pigment content.
By examining several fluorescence parameters, we conclude that the Fs value can be useful for detecting water stress, especially when measured in parallel with reflectance measurements from which the sensitivity to senescence index (PSRI) can be calculated.
This observation may also be useful in field conditions, as short-term water deficit stress increases, while long-term stress decreases (due to loss of pigmentation) fluorescence (Fs). -
Possibilities for reducing drought stress in potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) through various foliar treatments
57-80Views:79Abiotic stress factors, especially drought and heat stress, which are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change, pose significant challenges to potato production. The aim of this research was to examine the effects of different irrigation schemes and foliar treatments – salicylic acid, silicon, hydrogen peroxide, and microelements – on the physiological parameters, yield, and quality characteristics of potatoes under drought conditions. In a field experiment conducted in Sonkád (Hungary) during the 2024 growing season, a medium-late Manitou variety was used. During the study, two irrigation doses and four types of foliar treatments were tested in a split-plot design. Based on the results, full and 50% irrigation significantly increased stomatal conductance, NDVI, leaf area index, and yield. Among the foliar treatments, silicon and hydrogen peroxide had a positive effect on relative chlorophyll content and NDVI, but did not result in a significant increase in yield. Treatments with salicylic acid, microcomplex, silicon, and the total dose significantly increased starch content, while the application of silicon increased the amount of reducing sugar content. The results of the first year of experiments indicate that foliar treatments applied without irrigation can only occasionally mitigate the negative physiological effects of water deficiency, but irrigation is essential to achieve significant improvements in yield and quality. The research may contribute to technological developments aimed at increasing drought tolerance in potato production, but further experiments are needed. -
Response of Szeged winter wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum L.) to drought stress
63-78Views:59In 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. -
Effect of the year on yield, grain moisture, and quality parameters of maize (Zea mays L.) (2020–2023)
51-68Views:195Maize (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. -
Plant health studies based on multispectral images in autumn cereal crops
95-108Views:69The development of precision agriculture and digitalisation has brought significant changes in agricultural technology and data-driven decision-making. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and multispectral imaging technologies are effective tools for monitoring plant populations and detecting stress conditions (abiotic, biotic). Vegetation indices (NDVI, GNDVI, NDRE, LCI) provide detailed information about the physiological state of plants and the spatial distribution of stress factors. In the research conducted at the University of Debrecen, the ’MV Nádor’ winter wheat variety was examined in combinations of different tillage methods (autumn ploughing, strip tillage) and different nutrient supply treatments. During the multispectral data collection, high-resolution UAV images were used, which were analysed using the QGIS GIS software. The application of nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) and tillage methods had a significant impact on vegetation indices, which reflected the health status and homogeneity or heterogeneity of the plants. The results mean that higher nutrient levels showed more favorable growth and homogeneous plant stand. During the statistical analyses, we infer the spatial effects of stress factors based on the standard deviation and variance values. The values of NDVI and GNDVI indices showed an increasing trend with increasing nutrient levels, especially in the case of the 160 kg/ha nitrogen treatment, which ensures more uniform development. Based on the LCI and NDRE values, we obtained a much higher variance and SD value for the 160 kg N/ha treatment applied in autumn ploughing than for strip cultivation. Based on the data, precision technologies enable more sustainable and predictable crop production. -
Comparative analysis of SPAD, NDVI, phenological and generative parameters of maize hybrids (Zea mays L.)
5-22Views:66Maize is a versatile multi-purpose crop that plays an essential role in the global food security. Meeting the needs of a growing population places the arable lands under the stress of intensive crop production. As the variations in climate conditions pose additional threats to maize production, the challenge focuses now on sustaining the crop yield, ensuring maximum yield and safeguarding crop protection.
The experiment was carried out in 2023 at the Látókép Plant Production Experimental Site of the University of Debrecen (Hungary). The authors aimed to monitor the changes in spectral reflectance at leaf and canopy level at several growth stages of two different maize hybrids. Another objective was to evaluate their field agronomic performance and eventually compare between their results. Thus, SPAD, NDVI and LAI indices were recorded at five phenological stages (6-leaf, 12-leaf, silking, dough, maturity) of the development of two maize hybrids. Other agronomic characteristics of maize had been measured, including plant height, cob length, stalk diameter, grain moisture content, nitrogen accumulation and grain yield.
The results demonstrated that Mv 352 hybrid had higher potential in terms of yield produced (13.64 t/ha) comparing to Fornad (12.93 t/ha), in addition to higher plant height, cob length and stalk diameter. The SPAD, NDVI and LAI recorded values showed higher values as the different growth stages developed and then decreased reaching the maturity phase. It was found that both hybrids had slight variation in their performance in this regard. However, in terms of nitrogen accumulation, Mv 352 had higher nitrogen content accumulated during the whole growing period in comparison with Fornad, highlighting its great performance in terms of nitrogen absorption and translocation.
This study highlights the importance of monitoring SPAD, NDVI, and LAI values, as well as the plant nitrogen accumulation that provides insights into the physiological conditions of maize plants during the different growth stages, allowing for the early detection of stress factors, therefore enabling timely interventions. Additionally, this work emphasises the crucial aspect of performing these measurements for the selection and breeding of high-performing maize hybrids. -
Testing of primary and secondary tubers of potato parent and breeding lines with different osmotic stress tolerance in an isolated and greenhouse cropping system
37-61Views:63Probably one of the most defining problems of our time is providing food for the growing population of the earth. The aim of today's modern plant cultivation is to minimize risk factors and maximize the possibility of success. In our experiment, we examined potato parent lines (C103, C107) and their breeding lines (C11, C20) with known osmotic stress tolerance, which, based on our previous knowledge, could be valuable breeding subjects for both our current and future research. Primary tubers were made from shoot cultures produced by in vitro micropropagation under isolated conditions, then the harvested primary tubers were planted in green house at two different plant distance and fraction group (normal: T1: 25 cm, F1: 20–45 mm and narrow: T2: 15 cm, F2: -19 mm). We examined the changes in the tuber yield, as well as the influencing role of plant distance both in the amount of harvested tubers and in the distribution between fractions. In the case of the secondary tuber, we observed the emergence dynamics, the leaf height and fresh leaf weight values before harvest, the chlorophyll-a, -b and total chlorophyll content of the fresh leaves, as well as the Fv/Fm values of the chlorophyll fluorescence in the parental pair. The tuber yield measured per plant was lower in all cases for primary tubers at narrower plant distance and for secondary tubers at T2 plant distance was also reduced by about half. Significantly different results in the amount of primary tubers harvested as a result of narrower plant distances were obtained for three (C103, C107, C20) genotypes, and for two (C103, C20) genotypes when examining the secondary tubers. The fractional distribution in the number of primary tubers was positively influenced by plant distance in genotypes C103 (2nd fraction), C20 (3rd fraction), while C107 (3rd fraction) and C11 (3rd fraction) genotypes showed a slightly decrease. The emergence dynamics of the examined secondary tubers depended to a large extent on the characteristics of the genotype, however, the plant distance and fractionation also had a decisive influence. 50% of emergence was measured at the earliest for the C11, the latest for the C107 genotype (DAP 43. and 79.). The plants growing in a narrower plant distance, the 50% emergence ratio and the maximum emergence were generally reached 4–11days later than the plant grown under normal conditions. In the measurements of leaf height, fresh leaf weight, chlorophyll-a, -b and total chlorophyll content, according to genotype and plant number, the values of the C103 parent line and the C20 breeding line were in most cases significantly higher compared to the other two genotypes. As a result of the narrow number of plants, the tuber weight per unit area was significantly reduced in the observed parent (C103, a: 371.97 g/m2; C107, bc: 61.73 g/m2) and breeding lines (C20, b: 97.28 g/m2; C11, c: 2.13 g/m2). The higher number of seedlings and fractional planting resulted in significantly lower values in the weight of secondary tubers for genotypes C103 and C20, and when examining the distribution between fractions, we measured a statistically measurable difference for these two genotypes as well. Our results provide a good basis for learning the development processes of the potato genotypes included in the study and for the creation of breeding lines adapted to the extreme weather conditions of today, for the development of cultivation technology and seed production methods applicable to their specific characteristics. -
Possibilities of reducing drought stress through various foliar treatments in potato (Solanum tuberosum) during the 2024 and 2025 growing seasons
97-136Views:83Increasing drought caused by climate change poses a significant challenge to potato production. In our experiment conducted in Sonkád (Hungary), different leaf treatments and irrigation regimens were tested over two growing seasons in a randomized block design using the Manitou variety. During the experiment, three irrigation rates (full, 50%, and dry control) were used, along with four foliar treatments – salicylic acid, hydrogen peroxide, silicon, and micronutrients – which were applied exclusively to the non-irrigated plots. A total of seven different treatments were carried out in four replicates. Based on the results from the two growing seasons, the silicon, hydrogen peroxide, microcomplex, and salicylic acid foliar treatments significantly increased the relative chlorophyll content (SPAD) compared to the control and the irrigated treatments. On average over the two years, the NDVI value was significantly increased by the silicon, hydrogen peroxide, microcomplex, and salicylic acid foliar treatments compared to the control, and no statistical difference was observed in performance between the full-dose irrigation treatment and the listed treatments. NDVI measurements taken at various time points confirmed that treatments with the tested substances were able to slow chlorophyll degradation and maintain the integrity of the photosynthetic apparatus even during the critical post-flowering period. In the case of the leaf area index, the highest value was observed in the treatment irrigated with the full dose, but no significant difference was found compared to the performance of the silicon, hydrogen peroxide, microcomplex, and salicylic acid treatments. At the same time, the most important indicator in terms of yield was irrigation, which had a significant impact in both years. Although the foliar treatments mitigated stress and improved plant vitality, they did not result in a statistically significant increase in yield compared to the untreated control. -
Evaluation of the effects of silicon and sulfur treatments on the vegetative growth and root morphological characteristics of winter oats
19-34Views:60Oats 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. -
Analysis of physiological and yield parameters of smart maize hybrids in an intensive drip irrigation long-term experiment in the growing year 2024
5-24Views:65The yield and plant physiological parameters of different FAO maize hybrids grown over a large area in Hungary were examined under drip irrigation conditions. The results of the study showed that hybrid H4 was the best performing hybrid in terms of yield, specific grain weight, ear weight and thousand kernel weight. Hybrid H6 showed similarly good results, especially in grain number, suggesting that it may also play a role in increasing yield. The medium performance of hybrids H5 and H3 indicates that they are potentially competitive. The trends observed in the analysis of NDVI values provide important information on the growth patterns of the examined hybrids. For hybrid H1, the sharp decline in the second half of the growing season is indicative of the stress situation of the plants. Hybrids H1, H2 and H3 developed under optimal conditions in the V12 phenological phase, but could not maintain the early growth stage in the later phases. In contrast, hybrid H4, which had a longer growing season, was able to maintain its vegetative activity after the V12 phase. When SPAD values were examined, the H1, H5 and H6 hybrids maintained growth until the V12 phase, then declined after the R4 phase. Hybrid H4 showed the highest SPAD values in the R5 phase, while hybrids H1, H5 and H6 showed more stable SPAD values, but decreased in the later phases. Overall, the outstanding performance of hybrids H4 and H6 suggests that these hybrids should be preferred in intensive production environments with good yield potential. -
Effects of fertilisation frequency on the development of 'Australian yellow leaf' lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. crispa) under aeroponic cultivation
23-43Views:53The 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). -
Transcriptomic analysis of the combined effects of humic acids and nutrients in maize (Zea mays L.)
5-30Views:62The use of humic acids in agricultural production worldwide dates back several decades and numerous scientific studies support the beneficial effects of the compounds. However, less information is available about their combined use with macro- and microelements. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of humic acids combined with boron and sulfur using modern genetic tools. We performed genome-level transcriptomic analyses using the Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technique and found that the combined use of humic acids with nutrients positively influences several plant biochemical processes. Its beneficial effects extend to certain stages of photosynthesis and cellular respiration, and also affect the function of some ribosomal genes. However, among the findings previously published in the literature, at the gene level we were unable to confirm additional positive effects (e.g. stress-relieving, antioxidant effects, etc.) that can be derived from the individual or combined use of humic acids. Our studies provide deeper insight and explain the transcriptomic background of changes in some plant physiological processes observed upon application of humic acid solutions. -
Harvest time evaluation of sweet maize (Zea mays L. convar. saccharata Koern) hybrids based on dry matter and sucrose yield dynamics
53-68Views:145Hungarian 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. -
Evaluation of maize (Zea mays L.) parameters in different phenophases as a function of heat sums in irrigated production
85-103Views:286In 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 yield elements of sweet maize (Zea mays conv. saccharata Koern) in irrigation production
97-111Views:182The 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. -
Analysis of the yield parameters of super sweet maize (Zea mays L. convar saccharata Koern) in different crop years under irrigation
29-46Views:153The 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. -
Agrometeorological characteristics of the 2025 maize growing season in the Debrecen region
45-55Views:158In 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. -
Meteorological conditions of maize growing experiments on the agricultural campus of the University of Debrecen in the growing season 2022
5-19Views:185In 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. -
Application of MALDI-TOF MS in scientific research and agricultural practice
105-132Views:165Today, MALDI-TOF MS is a key tool in proteomics, microbiology, medical diagnostics, and is widely used in food safety and materials science. This technology has undergone revolutionary developments in the recent years: new matrix materials have been developed that improve ionisation efficiency, and more advanced data processing algorithms have been developed to increase the accuracy of analyses. Due to its speed, cost-effectiveness, and reliability, this technology is increasingly emerging as an alternative to traditional identification methods.
MALDI-TOF MS is an innovative and versatile tool that may be important in plant breeding and food quality control. Not only does it provide reliable results in genetic purity testing and toxin analysis, but it also contributes to plant physiology research and the development of plant protection strategies, as well as the detailed mapping of plant protein expression patterns. The method enables the identification of new stress response proteins that may play an important role in future plant breeding programs. Advances in proteomics research are opening up opportunities to explore protein changes in response to different environmental influences in greater detail.
The combination of MALDI-TOF MS and intelligent data analysis may open new horizons in disease diagnostics, the development of precision medicine, food safety, agriculture, and environmental analytics. -
Agrometeorological characteristics of the 2024 maize growing season in Debrecen-Látókép
67-78Views:154The 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. -
Comparative evaluation of yield results and generative parameters of maize hybrids (2025)
21-44Views:96There were significant differences in yield and morphology among the maize hybrids included in the experiment based on the 2025 growing season. The H6 hybrid proved to be the best performing genotype, excelling in terms of yield (21.20 t/ha), individual grain weight (258.19 g), number of kernels, and thousand kernel weight (488.72 g), and achieved significantly better results than the other hybrids in several traits. The H3 hybrid also showed high yield potential (19.36 t/ha) and resulted in high grain weight and favorable SPAD values, proving to be the second most productive genotype. The H5, H4, and H2 hybrids can be classified as normal performers, producing stable but more moderate yield levels and grain weight, but there were significant differences in yield among these hybrids. SPAD values and NDVI values showed clear differences between the hybrids. The H4, H3, and H5 hybrids achieved outstanding SPAD values during the vegetative stage, indicating rapid initial development, while the H6 and H2 hybrids showed balanced SPAD dynamics throughout the entire growing season. Based on NDVI values, the H2 and H5 hybrids proved to be the most stable in the generative stage, indicating their good stress tolerance. Overall, the study showed that yield is influenced by grain weight, grain number, and plant condition indicators, and that the H6 and H3 hybrids represent outstanding agronomic value based on several parameters. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that different genotypes responded differently to the agrometeorological effects present during the unfavorable growing season of 2025, even with the use of drip irrigation. -
Artificial Intelligence (AI) in precision agriculture
87-104Views:62Artificial Intelligence (AI) is opening a new era in agriculture, particularly in the field of precision farming. This paper aims to provide an insightful overview of how AI technologies can be applied to yield prediction, crop health monitoring, and early pest and disease detection. Findings from international research clearly indicate that those countries and producers who adopt these tools early will gain a long-term competitive advantage.
The Hungarian agricultural sector faces increasing challenges: climate change, labor shortages, and market pressure. AI-based tools offer solutions through automation, precision, and cost efficiency. However, implementation requires not only access to technology but also a clear understanding, practical examples, and local case studies that demonstrate how AI works under Hungarian conditions and supports Hungarian farmers.
The future lies not only in technology but in its comprehension. Therefore, review articles like this one play a key role in bridging the gap between science and farm-level decision-making. The methods and models discussed here provide a foundation for developing domestic case studies and decision-support systems that directly benefit farmers in their everyday operations. -
Examination of drought tolerance in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and maize (Zea mays L.)
43-46Views:63The 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. -
Analysis of the physiological effects of different sowing dates in a maize stand
69-86Views:60The aim of this study is to examine how different sowing times affect the germination dynamics of maize hybrids with different ripening periods, as well as their impact on maize development and yield. The experiment was conducted in Hungary, at the Látókép Experimental Station of the University of Debrecen, on calcareous chernozem soil, in a growing season with average precipitation (2023). In the field experiment, three sowing dates were used: Sowing Date I (April 17), Sowing time II (April 24), and Sowing time III (May 23). The same hybrids were included in the experiment for all three sowing dates (H1: FAO 380, H2: FAO 490). Following the germination dynamics test, plant height and relative chlorophyll content (SPAD value) were measured in the stand at three time points: 6-leaf (V6), 12-leaf (V12), and 50% silking (R1) phenological phases. During the first two days of the germination phase, both early and medium-ripening hybrids germinated at nearly the same percentage (H1: 76%, H2: 75%) in Sowing Date I, while in Sowing Date II (H1: 84%, H2: 88%) and Sowing Date III (H1: 87%, H2: 84%), the difference in the germination dynamics of the hybrids was more significant. Between phenophases V6 and R1, the percentage increase in relative chlorophyll content (SPAD value) was highest for hybrid H1 in Sowing Date I and for hybrid H2 in Sowing Date II, while it was lowest for both hybrids in Sowing Date III. The influence of sowing dates on SPAD values was detectable in the V12 phenophase (Sowing Date II p<0.005) for the H1 hybrid and in the V6 (Sowing time III, p<0.005) and V12 phenophase (Sowing time II, p<0.005). Based on the height data measured in different phenological phases, sowing date influenced the growth of maize hybrids, but this effect was not statistically significant in all cases (R1). For the different maize hybrids, the differences in yield results between the hybrids within the examined sowing dates and within each sowing date were not statistically significant. This suggests that sowing date did not have a pronounced effect on the yield of any of the hybrids. At the same time, however, the best sowing date (H1-Sowing date I. 14.959 t/ha; H2-Sowing date II. 14.208 t/ha) may allow for better water and nutrient utilisation and avoid heat stress or drought periods affecting flowering.
The statistically significant strongest correlations between SPAD value and yield for both maize hybrids were found at Sowing Date I and Sowing Date III in the R1 phenological phase (H1 – Sowing Date I: r=0.990**, Sowing Date III: r=0.999***; H2 – Sowing Date I: r=0.976*, Sowing Date III: r=0.944*). -
Prospectives of grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) production in the context of its drought and salt tolerance
121-137Views:89Unfavourable climatic and soil conditions, as well as climate change, force us to grow crops that are inherently resistant to abiotic stresses, thus ensuring the maintenance of food security. Legumes are the second most important food source after cereals. Legumes are preferred not only for their nutritional (mainly high protein content) and health (bioactive compounds) value but also for their economic (cheap meat replacement, especially in poorer regions) and ecological (nitrogen fixation) advantages. This study is intended to analyse the significance of grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.), with special regard to its drought and salt tolerance. Grass pea is a plant with a short growth cycle, which has excellent adaptability to adverse environmental factors. Thanks to its drought, cold, and moderate salt tolerance, grass pea can be grown in diverse climatic and soil conditions, even in places where other cultivated plants cannot. The production and breeding of drought- and salt-tolerant grass pea varieties should be considered in many places to adapt to abiotic environmental stress factors and maintain production capacity.
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