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• Yield and water use efficiency of maize hybrids with different nitrogen responses in a long-term experiment

  35-48

  Zoltán Bódi

  János Nagy

  Views:

  158

  Precision crop production and precision nutrient supply are essential factors in modern agricultural practice. The positioning of new maize hybrids is possible with accurate knowledge of the nutrient needs and responses of plants. As our climate becomes increasingly extreme, the exposure of crop production to weather conditions continues to increase, which requires the cultivation and breeding of hybrids that successfully adapt to the environment. In this study, we tested two Syngenta maize hybrids in a long-term experiment at six nitrogen rates (control N0 kg/ha dose and level 60 kg/ha with nitrogen doses increasing to 300 kg/ha), on irrigated and non-irrigated platforms. The experiment was carried out in a drought year (2021), which is not ideal for maize, with poor rainfall. Based on the results, the hybrids showed two different fertilizer reactions.
  We can classify SY Minerva as a “workhorse”. This group of hybrids is characterized by the fact that they give sufficient yield even on variable soils, their nitrogen response is already marked at low doses (possibly even without nitrogen application, N0+PK 7.23 t/ha and 9.55 t/ha on non-irrigated and irrigated platforms), at higher doses the nitrogen response is more moderate, and yield depression is also experienced, as in the experimental results (the difference between N240+PK and N300+PK levels was -1.77 t/ha on the non-irrigated platform). The initial (N0 kg/ha active ingredient) nitrogen response of the “racehorse” SY Solandri hybrid is low, however, by increasing the nitrogen dose to a high level, they show an outstanding increase in yield under ideal, near-ideal environmental conditions. This can be seen from the yield response to No+PK and N240+PK levels on both platforms.
  On non-irrigated and irrigated platforms, N0+PK levels were 4.62 t/ha and 6.11 t/ha, respectively. N240+PK also produced yields of 10.94 t/ha and 13.25 t/ha under non-irrigated and irrigated conditions. SY Minerva showed outstanding water use results in both treatments with values of 44.4 kg and 40.1 kg/mm in the control plots (N0+PK). SY Solandri had significantly better WUE (Water Use Efficiency) and IRRWUE (IRRigated Water Use Efficiency) values (28.3 and 25.7 kg/mm). Irrigation showed outstanding results for both hybrids in both platforms with optimal N240+PK supply. SY Solandri had an extremely high value of 67.1 kg/mm in the non-irrigated treatment.
  Based on results, it can be concluded that genotype plays a major role in the development of water use efficiency, fertilization positively influenced the WUE and IRRWUE values of both tested hybrids related to the control plot.

• Results of a water and nutrient management (N dose) long-term experiment

  41-55

  János Nagy

  Béla Gombos

  László Hadászi

  Csaba Bojtor

  Views:

  165

  The results of the field experiments provide a stable orientation basis for the continuous, broad development of agriculture. The long-term complex fertilisation experiment established in 1983 at the University of Debrecen's Látókép Experiment Site provides a unique opportunity to compare the nutrient responses of maize genotypes between non-fertilised control plots and five increasing nitrogen application rates in both irrigated and non-irrigated experimental conditions. Based on many years of experimental results, we found statistically proven yield enhancing effects of all nitrogen fertilisation levels. Nitrogen utilisation efficiency was highest at the 60 kg/ha treatment, resulting in 45.8% higher yields. Evaluating the irrigated experimental version, we found that optimal water supply resulted in an increase in yield stability for both the control and increasing nitrogen doses, with less measurable seasonal variability in yield, with a yield increase of 0.49–2.58 t/ha. The effect of irrigation in increasing crop stability was also reflected in fertiliser use efficiency. On average, 120 kg nitrogen/ha increased maize yield by 62–105% and 180 kg nitrogen/ha by 57–112% compared to control plots.

• Evaluation of field genetic potential based on the results of maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids with different genotypes

  5-21

  Zoltán Bódi

  Views:

  58

  Based on the results of field trials, we evaluated the phenometric and yield-forming elements of two maize hybrids with different maturity times. These indicators greatly contribute to the recommendation of hybrids to growers in farm practice and provide guidance in the development of hybrid-specific production technology.
  Syngenta Kft. and the University of Debrecen have been conducting a joint study since 2018 to determine the field yield potential of new hybrids to be introduced. During the trial we strive to ensure that corn receives optimal conditions and does not starve for a unique day. During the experiment, the development stages of the hybrids were recorded in addition to the growth day degree (GDD). In addition to the continuous monitoring of SPAD and NDVI values, the dry-down dynamics are also precisely determined. 2024 was an extreme year for maize production, with extremely high temperatures characterizing the country in July and August. Based on the latest harvest data, the average domestic yield was 5.7 t/ha (varied between 3.4–7.9 t/ha among counties). The yield depression of the 2024 growing year was primarily due to the persistent, extremely hot weather in the summer. Coupled with less than average precipitation, a significant soil drought developed.
  In the above experiment, SY Evident FAO 430-440 (H13 hybrid) achieved a yield of 20.81 t/ha, while SY Stacio FAO 360-380 (H12 hybrid), which was earlier in maturity, achieved a yield of 19.46 t/ha on a mesoplot at the university’s Látókép field experimental site. The results of the tested hybrids were greatly influenced by the early planting date, with which the hybrids avoided the extreme heat during flowering. The different genotypes were greatly influenced by the harmonious nutrient supply and optimal weather conditions in May and June (VE-R1 phase). This was statistically confirmed in the change in chlorophyll content (SPAD values) and NDVI values among the hybrids. Due to the high GDD values and ideal conditions created by irrigation during the growth stages from the period of grain filling to physiological maturity (R2-R6 phase), the hybrid with a higher maturity time (H13) statistically exceeded the hybrid with a very early maturity time (H12) by 6.9%. The irrigation-water use efficiency (IRRWUE) of the tested hybrids was as follows: in the case of SY Evident (H13) it was 41.8 kg/mm, while in the case of SY Stacio (H12) this value was 39.2 kg/mm.
  By supporting optimal fertilization, we can increase yields, improve crop safety and strengthen sustainable agricultural practices at the same time. Our goal is to transfer these results to farm practice in the future, complemented by the background support of recent digital tools.

• Analysis of dry matter, nitrogen and calcium incorporation dynamics in Honey sweet maize (Zea mays L. convar. saccharata Koern) hybrids

  21-35

  Zsuzsanna Bakos

  Abakir Abdalla Rania Alrasheed

  Árpád Illés

  János Nagy

  Views:

  171

  The 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 the efficiency of the Debrecen Wastewater Treatment Plant

  59-81

  Dávid Kaczur

  Brigitta Tóth

  Views:

  58

  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.

• Analysing the plant density response of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) on heterogeneous production sites

  87-95

  Szabolcs Monoki

  Views:

  60

  Sunflower 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.