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• Prospectives of grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) production in the context of its drought and salt tolerance

  121-137

  József Zsembeli

  Mawia Sobh

  Views:

  18

  Unfavourable 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.

• Examination of drought tolerance in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and maize (Zea mays L.)

  43-46

  Zoltán Futó

  Views:

  17

  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.

• Testing of primary and secondary tubers of potato parent and breeding lines with different osmotic stress tolerance in an isolated and greenhouse cropping system

  37-61

  Alexandra Hanász

  Judit Dobránszki

  László Zsombik

  Views:

  13

  Probably 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.

• Response of Szeged winter wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum L.) to drought stress

  63-78

  Dániel Nagy

  László Cseuz

  János Pauk

  Views:

  16

  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.

• Possibilities for reducing drought stress in potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) through various foliar treatments

  57-80

  Gergely Kávássy

  András Szabó

  Éva Szabó

  Views:

  19

  Abiotic 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.

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

  5-19

  Béla Gombos

  János Nagy

  Views:

  43

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

• Comparative evaluation of yield results and generative parameters of maize hybrids (2025)

  21-44

  László Hadászi

  Dávid Horváth

  Views:

  22

  There 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.

• The impact of irrigation and basal and top dressing fertilisation on the chlorophyll concentration and yield of maize hybrids in extreme dry years

  7-30

  Adrienn Széles

  Éva Horváth

  Károly Simon

  Péter Zagyi

  Views:

  22

  The 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.

• The growing importance of short-rotation willow plantations in today’s changing agriculture

  5-19

  Dénes Dudits

  Zoltán Zombori

  Bettina Nagy

  Györgyi Ferenc

  Nikolett László

  Csaba Gyuricza

  Views:

  33

  Today’s experience clearly shows that crop production plays a key role in solving many of the challenges our world is facing. The effects of climate change are undeniable, as they influence yield stability in unpredictable ways and therefore also the profitability of growing crops. Growing environmental awareness is also changing the expectations towards crop production technologies. Plants remain important in renewable energy production, even though solar and nuclear energy are the main focus of current developments. Reducing the use of chemicals is also an important part of producing healthy food. The question is whether agriculture can introduce innovative technologies that help to meet these expectations.
  The aim of this study is to explain why the cultivation of improved short-rotation willow (Salix sp.) deserves more attention in addressing today’s problems. We show how precision breeding can help to increase the biogas yield of energy tree plantations, which supports the wider use of willow as a raw material. On saline soils, planting salt-tolerant willow genotypes can provide several environmental benefits. Nowadays, the use of plant biostimulants is becoming more common. Aqueous extracts made from willow shoots can stimulate the growth and grain yield of maize plants.
  The many possible ways of using willow confirm that Hungarian farmers should give more priority to establishing willow plantations on marginal lands.