Precipitation and Temperature Influences on Maize Yields

PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE INFLUENCES ON MAIZE YIELDS

INEASTERN CROATIA

Kovačević V.

Abstract

Maize is the most widespread crop on arable lands in Croatia. It occupies about 0.4 million hectares or a fourth of arable land areas. In general, under environmental conditions of Eastern Croatia, there is usually a close connection between low maize yields and precipitation shortage combined with high air-temperatures. Two growing seasons (2000 and 2003) were especially unfavorable for maize growing. For example, low yields for 2000 (34% lower in comparison with four previous years) is mainly influenced by water deficit. In 2003 they were in association with drought in June-August (30% lower precipitaion) combined with high air-temperatures - mean 23.3 oC or for 2.8 oC higher than 30-year mean. Water deficit becoming main limiting factor of maize yields in Eastern Croatia under dry farming system. The objective of this study was to examine association between maize yield and weather characteristics. Irrigation is needed for minimizing annually yield variations.

Key words: maize, grain yield, precipitation quantities, Eastern Croatia

INTRODUCTION

Maize is the most widespread crop on arable lands in Croatia. It occupies about 0.4 million hectares (mean 2001-2003 = 406 thousands ha) or a fourth of arable land areas of the country. In the earlier period maize harvested areas were about 0.5 million hectares (20-year mean 1971-1980 = 503300 ha). Maize grain yields in Eastern Croatia are about 30% higher in comparison with mean yields of the country. Besides the degree of soil fertility, precipitation and temperature regimes during a growing season significantly influence maize yields as well. This problem is curetting by climate change (Lang et al., 2006). In general, under environmental conditions of Eastern Croatia, there is usually a close connection between low maize yields and precipitation shortage, especially during the two summer months, July and August (Josipović et al., 2005; Kovačević and Kaučić, 2006; Kovačević et al. 2007; Šoštarić and Josipović, 2006). This phenomenon is mainly more influencing factor in the eastern part of the region in comparison with its western part because of prevailing of more aerated soils. These findings are consistent with experiences from the USA Corn Belt (Shaw, 1988). The objective of this study was to examine association betweenmaize yield and weather characteristics (temperature and precipitation regimes).

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Revial paper; Prof. Dr. Vlado Kovačević, scientific adviser, University J. J. Strossmayer in Osijek, Faculty of Agriculture, Trg Svetog Trojstva 3, HR-31000 Osijek, Croatia; e-mail:

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Description of the territory and sources of the data

The region of Eastern Croatia until 1992 covered 11090 km2or 19.6% of the state territory and it was divided in 14 municipalities. Since 1992, according new territorial division the Eastern Croatia covers five counties of total area 12452 km2(or 21.9 % of the state territory) as follows: Vukovar-Syrmium, Brod-Posavina, Osijek-Barannya, Pozega-Slavonia and Virovitica-PodravinaCounty.

The data of State Bureau for Statistics were used as source of grain yields data. State Hydrometeorological Institute was source of meteorological data (precipitation and mean air-temperatures). War escalation in Croatia from 1991 to 1995 was reason that maize yields data were uncompleted. Also, in this period field crop yields were low, mainly as affected by war-induced factors. For this reason, only data for the period 1996-2005 were shown (with exception of data for 2004 because Statistical Yearbook has not contains data of yields and arable crops harvested areas).Also, the internal data of the former state farms (SF) “Jasinje” Slav. Brod, SF “Đakovo” and SF “Kutjevo” were used (Tables 3 and 4).

Climate, relief, geomorphologic, geologic and pedological featuresof Eastern Croatia

The Pannonian part of Croatia has temperate continental climate with four clearly differentiated seasons. All climatic elements manifest certain changes on going from the east to the west. The eastern part (the region eastern Croatia) is characterized by dry and torrid summers and harsh winters, in contrast to the western part with considerably higher precipitation and smaller temperature amplitudes. For example, the average monthly precipitation in Osijek and Zagreb amounts to 660 and 854 mm, respectively. The mean annual temperature decreases in the same direction from 10.9 (Osijek) to 9.9 oC (Varazdin).

Eastern Croatia occupies the eastern part of the Pannonian Croatia. With regard of the field crops growing, especially maize and wheat, this region is very important. Geomorphologically, Pannonian Croatia constitutes a spacious plain with three geomorphologic and geological-lithological units as follows: the Holocene terrace, the Pleistocene terrace and the MidslavonianMountains (Janeković et al. 1971; Škorić et al. 1985). Their relief, geomorphologic, geologic and pedological characteristics with aspect of arable crops growing were shown in the previous study(Kovacevic et al., 2007).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

In the least four-decade period maize yields in Croatia have increasing trend with high degree of their variation among the years. For example, the lowest annually yield was for 27% lower than maximal annual yield for both decade periods (1971-1990), while in the period 1996-2005 it was for even 44% lower. Maize yields in Eastern Croatia region are higher (27%, 25% and 16%, for the first, second and third tested decade, respectively) compared to the state mean. In the 1996-2005 period, maize harvested area in Croatia decreased about 25% in comparison with 20-year mean of 1971-1990, whereas yields showed mild increasing trend (Table 1).

Maize yield for 1996-2005 decade period in VSc was for 11% higher in comparison with mean yield of remaining four counties ( 6.73 and 6.04 t/ha, respectively), mainly as affected by prevailing of more fertile soils in this part of the region (Janeković, 1971). In general, maize yields were lower in the growing seasons characterizing the lower precipitation and the higher air-temperatures compared to long-term means. Also, under water shortage conditions maize yield differences among the counties are mainly lower (Table 2).

In the last decade period (1996-2005) two growing seasons (2000 and 2003) were especially unfavorable for maize growing. For example, low maize yield in the region of Eastern Croatia in 2000 (34% lower in comparison with four previous years) is mainly influenced by water shortage. Low yields of maize for the 2003 growing season were in association with water deficite in June-August period (30% lower in comparison with long-term mean) combined with extremelly high air-temperatures - mean 23.3 oC or for 2.8 oC higher than 30-year mean (Table 2).

Drained hydromorphic soils are dominant soil types of the SF „Jasinje“ Slav. Brod. In the past, excess of water was also limiting factor of maize yields in this area, but after draining water deficit (Table 3) and nutritional problems (mainly low levels of plant available phosphorus) became main limiting factors of maize yields (Petosic et al., 2003).

Table 1. Maize harvested area and grain yields in Croatia, Eastern Croatia regionas well

Tabela 1. Požete površine i prinosi zrna kukuruza u Hrvatskoj i u regiji istočne Hrvatske

Maize harvested area (ha) and yields (t/ ha) / Požete površine(ha) i prinosi kukuruza (t/ha)
The 1971-1980 period / The 1981-1990 period / The 1996-2005 period*
Year/God. / ha / t/ha / Year/God. / ha / t/ha / Year/God. / ha / t/ha
Republic of Croatia / Republika Hrvatska
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975 / 506567
489086
516292
480311
530361 / 3.35
3.39
3.56
3.86
4.15 / 1981
1982
1983
1984
1985 / 518615
494235
511753
501313
528660 / 4.62
5.03
4.85
5.33
4.85 / 1996
1997
1998
1999
2000 / 361000
371000
378000
384000
388338 / 5.22
5.88
5.25
5.56
3.93
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980 / 503646
501556
465842
487939
483807 / 3.84
4.50
4.04
4.56
4.14 / 1986
1987
1988
1989
1990 / 531589
495946
511224
503378
503876 / 5.16
4.44
3.92
4.44
3.87 / 2001
2002
2003
2004
2005 / 406000
407000
406515
-
318931 / 5.45
6.14
3.86
-
6.92
Mean / 496541 / 3.94 / Mean / 510059 / 4.65 / Mean / 380087 / 5.36
2006 / 296195 / 6.53
Eastern Croatia / Istočna Hrvatska
1971
1971
1973
1974
1975 / 208892
195942
216172
192182
221632 / 4.06
4.67
4.30
5.16
5.14 / 1981
1982
1983
1984
1985 / 214301
201268
209305
206779
221395 / 5.72
6.40
6.40
7.08
6.26 / 1996
1997
1998
1999
2000 / 154202
159770
169935
177353
180182 / 6.30
7.01
6.20
6.50
4.31
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980 / 201462
196650
180862
196632
189692 / 4.76
5.80
5.14
5.87
5.42 / 1986
1987
1988
1989
1990 / 217788
197149
209768
208312
234148 / 6.59
5.33
4.78
5.46
4.31 / 2001
2002
2003
2004
2005 / 190136
185651
184270
-
148579 / 6.63
7.21
4.49
-
7.29
Mean / 200012 / 5.03 / Mean / 212 021 / 5.83 / Mean / 172231 / 6.22

*with exception of the 1991-1995 (uncompleted data and low yields mainly by war-induced factors) and 2004 (not issued completed Statistical yearbook) period

* s izuzetkom perioda 1991-1995 (nekompletni podaci i niski prinosi izazvani uglavnom ratnim prlikama) i 2004 (nekopmletno izdanje Statističkog godišnjaka)

Table 2. Grain yields of maize (t/ha) in Eastern Croatia (the 1996-2005 periodand weather data for Osijek

Tabela 2. Prinosi zrna kukuruza (t/ha) u istočnoj Hrvatskoj u periodu 1996-2005 i meteorološki podaci za Osijek

Year
God. / Maize yield (t/ ha)
Prinos kukuruza (t/ha) / Precipitation (mm) and mean air-temp. (oC) in Osijek /Padaline i temp. zraka
The county (c)* / Županija* / June / July / August
VSc / OBc / VPc / BPc / PSc / mm / oC / mm / oC / mm / oC
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000 / 7.06
7.29
6.49
7.29
4.72 / 6.46
7.35
6.53
6.60
3.96 / 5.84
6.83
5.88
5.82
4.30 / 6.15
6.37
5.48
5.62
4.30 / 5.73
6.76
5.59
5.97
4.67 / 30
86
26
150
10 / 21.1
20.8
21.4
20.3
22.5 / 95
91
84
95
63 / 19.9
20.3
22.2
21.9
21.7 / 77
41
99
74
5 / 20.6
20.5
21.8
21.3
23.7
2001
2002
2003 / 7.37
6.82
5.15 / 6.79
7.50
4.32 / 5.94
7.67
4.57 / 5.77
6.42
3.98 / 5.94
6.46
4.53 / 240
36
44 / 18.1
21.1
24.3 / 77
59
61 / 21.6
22.3
22.1 / 7
77
41 / 22.7
20.9
23.6
2004 / data not available /nema podataka / 77 / 19.2 / 43 / 21.5 / 96 / 21.0
2005 / 8.38 / 6.98 / 6.59 / 7.16 / 7.43 / 112 / 19.5 / 171 / 21.5 / 238 / 19.3
Mean / 6.73 / 6.28 / 5.94 / 6.03 / 5.90 / 81 / 20.8 / 84 / 21.5 / 76 / 21.5
2006 / usual yields / uobičajeni prinosi / 91 / 20.1 / 15 / 23.5 / 133 / 19.3
Averages / Proseci: 1961-1990
88 / 19.5 / 65 / 21.1 / 58 / 20.3

* the counties (c): Vukovar-Sirmium (VSc), Osijek-Baranya (OBc), Virovitica-Podravina

(VPc), Brod-Posavina (BPc) and Pozega-Slavonia (PSc).

*županije: Vukovarsko-srijemska, Osječko-baranjska, Virovitičko-Podravska,

Brodsko-posavska i Požeko-slavonska.

Table 3. Influences of weather conditions on maize yields on the state farm «Jasinje» and weather data of Slav. Brod Weather Bureau (Petosic et al., 2003)

Tabela XX. Uticaj vremenskih prilika na prinose kukuruza na Agrokombinatu “Jasinje” i meteorološki podaci za Slav. Brod (Petošić i sur., 2003)

Grain yields of maize on AK «Jasinje» Slavonski Brod and weather data
Prinosi kukurza na AK “Jasinje” i meteorološki podaci za Slav. Brod
«Less favorable» years
“Nepovoljne” godine / «More favorable» years
“Povoljne” godine / Average
Prosek
1987 / 1988 / 1986 / 1989 / 1971-1990
Maize yields (t/ha) on AK «Jasinje» (in the bracket: harvested area in ha)
Prinosi kukuruza (t/ha) na AK “Jasinje” (u zagradi: požeta površina u ha)
5.42
(3173) / 4.35
(2963) / 7.72
(3525) / 7.02
(2781) / 5.42
(3231)
Month
Mesec / Precipitation (mm) and mean air-temperatures (oC) - Slavonski Brod
Padaline (mm) i srednje temp. vazduha (oC) - Slavonski Brod
mm / oC / mm / oC / mm / oC / mm / oC / mm / oC
Jan.- March / 184 / 198 / 205 / 63 / 129
April - Sept. / 302 / 17.9 / 299 / 17.9 / 402 / 17.4 / 584 / 17.1 / 426 / 16.9
July + Aug. / 86 / 21.4 / 97 / 22.4 / 189 / 20.1 / 149 / 20.5 / 158 / 20.0

Influences of water and temperature regimes on maize yields in the most remaining SF of the region are similar as for „Jasinje“ (for example, the SF Đakovo and the SF Kutjevo – Table 4). However, the higher position of the SF „Kutjevo“ (area of Pozega municipality: about 250 m above sea level = ASL) is more favorable for maize growth under water shortage conditions (the lower temperatures) in comparison with lowland position of Đakovo area (between 110 and 150 m ASL). This phenomenom could be used as explanation for maize yield reduction (comparison favorable 1991 and unfavorable 1992 growing season) for only 25% in the SF Kutjevo compared to 49% in the SF Đakovo (Table 4).

Table 4. Weather characteristic influences on maize yields on two state farms of Eastern Croatia* for two growing seasons (1991 and 1992) – Kovačević, 2004)

Tabela 4. Uticaj vremenskih prilika na prinose kukuruza na dva kombinata istočne Hrvatske* za dve godine (1991 i 1992) – Kovačević, 2004)

Precipitation (mm) and mean air-temp. (0C) for two growing seasons
Količina oborina (mm) i srednje temp. zraka (0C) za dvije vegetacije
Month / Đakovo Weather Bureau / Kutjevo Weather Bureau
Mesec / Meteorološka stanica Đakovo / Meteorološka stanica Kutjevo
1991 / 1992 / 1991 / 1992
mm / 0C / mm / 0C / mm / 0C / mm / 0C
May
June
July
August Sept. / 112
34
152
50
22 / 12.5
20.0
22.0
20.5
17.8 / 46
111
27
20
29 / 17.0
19.5
21.0
25.3
18.0 / 72
90
82
78
58 / 11.7
18.5
20.8
19.4
16.9 / 113
56
14
24 / 18.8
20.3
23.5
16.7
Sum / 370 / 233 / 380 / 266
Mean / 18.6 / 20.2 / 17.4 / 18.9
Mean yields of maize (t/ha) / Prosečni prinosi zrna kukuruza (t/ha)
State farm Djakovo /PIK Đakovo / State farm Kutjevo/PPK Kutjevo
8.13 / 4.16 / 8.51 / 6.41
Index / 100 / 51 / 100 / 75

* Remark: soil characteristics of both state farms are mainly similar

* Napomena: karakteristike zemljišta na obadva kombinata su uglavnom slične

Water deficite became main limiting factor of maize yields in Eastern Croatia under dry farming system (without application of irrigation). Irrigation in the critical stages of maize growth under water deficite stress is solution for stabilization of maize yield variations among years and their lower dependences on precipitation and temperature regimes.

REFERENCES

Janekovic Gj. (1971): Pedologic characteristics of Slavonia and Baranya (in Croatian with English abstract). Zbornik radova Prvog znanstvenog sabora Slavonije i Baranje, 17-19. svibanj 1970, Osijek , p.115-176.

JosipovićM., Kovačević V., PetosicD. andŠostarićJasna (2005): Wheat and maize yield variations in the Brod-Posavina area. Cereal Research Communications 33 (1):229-233.

Kovacevic V. , Kaucic D.(2006): Weather characteristics impacts on yields of the spring crops in Croatia. In: Proceednings, 41 Croatian & 1st International Symposium on Agriculture, (S. Jovanovac and V. Kovacevic Eds.), 13-17. February 2006, Opatija, Croatia, Faculty of Agriculture, University J. J. Strossmayer in Osijek, p. 421-422.

Kovačević V., Šimić D., Šoštarić J., Josipović M. (2007): Precipitation and temperature regime impacts on maize yields in eastern Croatia. Maydica 52 (in press).

LangI., Farago T., Ivanyi Z. (Editors), (2006): International Conference on Climate Change „Impact and Responses in Central and Eastern European Countries” 5-8 November 2005, Pecs, Hungary. HungarianAcademy of Sciences, Hungarian Ministry of Environment and water, The Regional Environmental Centre for and Eastern Europe.

Petosic D., Kovacevic V., Josipovic M. (2003):Phosphorus availability in hydromorphic soils oh Eastern Croatia. Plant, Soil and Environment 49 (9): 394-401.

Shaw R. H. (1988): Climatic requirement. In: Corn and corn improvement, Agronomy Monograph No 18 ( Sprague G.F. ed.) ASA-CSSA-SSSA, Madison, Wisconsin, USA, p. 609-638.

Škoric A., Filipovski P., Ciric M. (1985): Klasifikacija tala Jugoslavije, ANU-BiH, Sarajevo.

Šoštarić J., Josipović M. (2006): Weather and soil influences on maize yield in the Eastern Croatia. Universitatea se Stiente Agricole si Medicina Veterinara Iasi, Lucrari Stiintifice – Volume 49, seria Agronomie, p. 375-381.

UTICAJ PADALINA I TEMPERATURA NA PRINOSE KUKURUZA U ISTOČNOJ HRVATSKOJ

Rezime

Kukuruz je s 0.4 miliona hektara ili oko četvrtinu ukupnih oranica najrasprostranjenija ratarska kultura na oranicama Hrvatske. Općenito, postoji uska veza niskih prinosa kukuruza s deficitom padalina i višim temperaturama vazduha.

Dve godine (2000. i 2003.) bile su naročito nepovoljne za kukuruz. Tako je u 2000. g u istočnoj Hrvatskoj ostvaren za 34% niži nego u prethodne četiri godine uglavnom zbog manjka padalina. U 2003. g su niski prinosi kukuruza bili u vezi sa sušom u junu i avgustu (30% manje kiše) i visokim temperaturama vazduha – prosjek 23.3 oC ili za 2.8 oC više od 30-god. prosjeka. Suša postaje sve veći faktor ograničenja prinosa kukuruza u istočnoj Hrvatskoj. Tema ovoga rada je utvrditi vezu između ptrinos akukuruza i vremenskih prilika. Navodnjavanje je potrebno da bi se smanjilo variranje ptrinosa kukuruza po godinama.

Ključne reči: kukuruz, prinos zrna, količina oborina, istočna Hrvatska