engleski

Effects of precipitation and temperature regimes on maize (Zea mays L.) yields in Northwestern Croatia

Maize growing in Croatia is characterized by considerable varying of yields among years. For example, in the decade period 1998-2007 annually yields of maize were in range from 3.93 t/ha to 6.92 t/ha. In general, the higher quantities and equalized distributed precipitation in combination with the lower air-temperatures during summer months are more favorable for maize compared to lower precipitation and the higher temperatures. Majority of maize cultivated areas are situated in Pannonian region (the eastern and northwestern Croatia) which occupying close to 50% of the state territory and only 4 % of maize cultivated area are situated in the remaining part of Croatia. In this study survey of maize yields and cultivated areas in seven counties of northwestern (NW) Croatia for 3- year period 2005-2007 and weather data (precipitation and air-temperatures: the data of Sisak, Bjelovar and Zagreb Weather Bureaus) were shown. The region of NW Croatia occupying about 27 % of the state territory and participating with close to 50 % in maize harvested area. Annually maize yields in three tested years were in range from 5.18 do 6.78 t/ha. The growing season of 2007 was unfavorable for maize growing mainly due to drought and high temperatures. For example, according the data of Sisak Weather Bureau precipitation for three-month period (June- August) were only 100 mm or 60% lower than long-term mean (LTM: 1961-1990) and air- temperature was higher for 2.7 °C. In the same period of the remaining two tested years was for 26% (2005) and 34% (2006) more precipitation than LTM. As results of these favorable conditions maize yields in the SZ Croatia were the higher for 30% (2005) and 25% (2006) than in unfavorable the 2007 growing season (5.18 t/ha). By correspondingly soil management practice, especially fertilization and liming of acid soil, is possible to alleviate consequences of drought and high temperature for maize yields.

precipitation ; temperature ; maize yield ; Croatia

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