engleski

Weather and soil limitations for maize growing in the Eastern Croatia

Environmental conditions are considerable factors of field crops yield. In general, drought and heat stresses in summer are in close connection with low corn yields and this phenomenom is also confirmed in Croatia. Also, the most fertile soils are situated in the farthmost northestern part of country, while toward west are less fertile soils increasing in share. In this study was shown influence of soil and weather characteristics on corn yields in Croatia. The data of State Bureau for Statistics (Statistical year books) were used in this study. Because of change in territorial division, Eastern Croatia implies 11,090 km2 area (14 former districts) until 1989 and 12,452 km2 (five counties) since 1990. Also, the data since 1992 included only in part of Croatia which was not affected by war (approximately 70% of entire territory of country). Osijek weather bureau was a source of rainfall and monthly averages of air-temperature data. Maize is the most spread crop on arable lands in Croatia. In the period from 1960 to 1989 mean harvested area of maize in Croatia was 509,068 ha (about third of total arable lands area), while in the Eastern Croatia or Slavonia and Baranya province 197,596 ha. Average grain yield of maize in the Eastern Croatia (4.82 t ha-1) was higher by 27% compared to state mean (3.81 t ha-1). Also, the higher grain yields of maize were achieved in the eastern part of province due to more fertile soils compared to western part. Also, rainfall and temperature regimes, especially in two summer months - July and August - are often limiting factor of corn yields under dry farming (without irrigation) system. For example, low grain yields in the Eastern Croatia in two less favorable seasons (1987 and 1988: average 5.06 t ha-1) were in connection with water deficit and the higher air-temperatures in July and August (the data for Osijek: 2-year averages = 52 mm and 22.0oC). The analogical data for two more favorable seasons (1984 and 1986) were as follows: 88 mm and 20.2oC, respectively. Soil and weather characteristics are important factors of maize yields in Croatia. Improvement of soil by amelioration and irrigation are direction for achievement of the higher yields.

Maize; Weather; Soil; Croatia

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