Winter wheat management practice in PIK Vinkovci d.d. and weather characteristics in the period from 2010 to 2012
Stanislav Stracenski1 and Andjelko Katic2
1The second year, Master study Plant growing – plant production
2 PIK Vinkovci d.d. Vinkovci, Matije Gupca 130, 32100 Vinkovci, Croatia
Vlado Kovacevic
University J. J. Strossmayer in Osijek, Faculty of Agriculture, Kralja P. Svacica 1d, 31000 Osijek, Croatia;
e-mail:
Abstract: Winter wheat is, after maize, the second-ranked field crop in Croatia (149797 ha or 16.8% of cultivated arable land of the country: status 2011). Annual yield variation of wheat in the 2006-2010 period i Croatia were from 4-0 to 5.5 t/ha. There are indications that low wheat yields in Croatia are mainly associated with precipitation excess, especially during autumn/winter period and drought stress in spring. Aim of this study was testing management practices and yields of winter wheat on PIK Vinkovci d.d. (Vukovar-Syrmium County) in the period from 2010 to 2012 with emphasis on weather characteristics effects. The growing season 2009/2010 was less favorable for winter wheat growing mainly due to excessive precipitation. For example, precipitation in the October-June period (Gradiste Weather Bureau) were close to double higher than in the 2010/2011 and the 2011/2012 growing season and for 57% higher compared to the long-term (1971-1990) average. Mean yields of wheat on PIK Vinkovci d.d. were 6.12 t/ha (1155 ha), 6.86 t/ha (889 ha) and 7.76 t/ha (1218 ha), for 2010, 2011, and 2012, respectively. Srpanjka and Lucija are dominant cultivars on PIK Vinkovci and they covered 61%, 78% and 90% of total harvested area, for 2010, 2011, and 2012, respectively.
Key words: winter wheat, PIK-Vinkovci, yield, management practice, weather characteristics, the growing seasons 2010-2012.
Introduction
According to data of The Sate Bureau for Statistics (SYB, 2012), in Croatia are available 892221 ha (status 2011) of cultivated arable lands (15.78% of the state territory). Main field crops in Croatia are maize (338171 ha of this 90% maize for grain), wheat (149797 ha), soybean 58896 ha), barley (48318 ha), sunflower (30041 ha) and sugar beet (21723 ha). Weather characteristics considerable affecting the annual field crops yield in Croatia. For example, yield variations in 2006-2010 period were from 4.9 to 8.0 t/ha and from 4.0 to 5.5 t/ha, from maize and wheat, respectively. Water shortage and the higher air-temperatures are mainly responsible for low yields of maize (Maklenovic et al., 2009; Kovacevic et al., 2012; Rastija et al., 2012). There are indications that low wheat yields in Croatia are mainly associated with precipitation excess, especially during autumn/winter period and drought stress in spring (Josipovic et al., 2005; Iljkic et al., 2010; Marijanovic et al., 2010; Rastija et al., 2013). Drought stress is more frequently problem for wheat yields in Hungary (Pepo and Kovacevic 2011; Jolankai and Birkas, 2013) and Serbia (Molnar et al., 2001; Paunovic et al., 2010). Aim of this study was testing management practices and yields of winter wheat on PIK Vinkovci d.d. in the period from 2010 to 2012 with emphasis on weather characteristics effects.
Material and methods
Description of the Vukovar-syrmium County and PIK Vinkovci d.d.areas
Vukovar-Sirmium County (VSC) covers area of 2459 km2 or 4.3 % of the state territory. The Danube makes the natural border to the East, the Sava to the South, while toward W, NW and N directions are situating Osijek-Baranya and Brod-Posavina Counties. VSC is the lowest part of Pannonian Croatia (the Holocene and Pleistocene terraces) with altitude ranging from 80 to 120 m. In general, the VSC area has mainly fertile soils (calcaric chernozem, eutric cambisol, calcaric regosol, eutric and mollic gleysols and calcaric fluvisol). According to the VSC data (VSC, 2012), the cultivable arable land area of VSC (status 2011) was 1529070 ha or 62.16% of VSC territory. Main field crops are maize (30769 ha), wheat (30728 ha), soybean (21369 ha), sunflower (9735 ha) and sugar beet (7300 ha). The VSC participating in the arable land capacity of Croatia (HR) with 17.14% (HR=892221 ha) and the harvested area of the field crops as follows (VSC, 2012; SYB, 2012): maize 10.08% (HR=305130 ha), wheat 20.51% (HR=149797 ha), soybean 36.28% (HR=58896 ha), sunflower 32.40% (HR=30041 ha) and suga beet 33.60% (HR=21723 ha).
The main agricultural holdings of the VSC are VUPIK-Vukovar d.d Vukovar and PIK-Vinkovci d.d. Vinkovci. These two holdings have at one,s disposal 12500 ha of arable lands, or 8.2% of total arable lands of the VSC.
Table 1. Main field crops harvested area and yields
The harvested area (ha) and yields (t/ha) of main field crops in PIK-Vinkovci d.d. Vinkovci in the 2010-2012 period (arable land: 6000 ha)Year / Maize / Wheat / Sugar beet / Sunflower / Soybean / The other*
2010. / ha / 1414 / 1155 / 854 / 337 / 815 / 1425
t/ha / 6.55 / 6.12 / 62.0 / 3.17 / 3.37
2011. / ha / 1700 / 889 / 728 / 412 / 565 / 1706
t/ha / 8.04 / 6.86 / 60.7 / 3.45 / 3.32
2012. / ha / 1285 / 1218 / 576 / 337 / 512 / 2072
t/ha / 3.20 / 7.76 / 40.1 / 4.02 / 1.77
* mainly vegetables growing
Main field crops on the arable lands (total 6000 ha) of PIK Vinkovci d.d. are maize, wheat, sugar beet and soybean. PIK Vinkovci d.d. participating in total harvested area of the main field crops in VCS (status 2011) with 5.5%, (maize), 2.9% (wheat), 10.0% (sugar beet), 4.2% (sunflower) and 2.6% (soybean), respectively. Yield variations of wheat among the years in PIK Vinkovci d.d. have been the lower in comparison with the main field crops with exception of sunflower (Table 1).
In general, yields of wheat and the other field crops in PIK Vinkovci are the higher in comparison with VSC (VSC, 2013) and the state level (SYB, 2012; SBS, 2012b). The fertile soils and adequate soil and crop management practices, correspondingly agricultural mechanization and trained personnel have been contributed to these yield differences.
Collection of the data
The internal data of PIK Vinkovci d.d. were used for collection of the field crops harvested areas and yields, as well as main data regarding wheat management practices (harvested areas, fertilization, yields in level of cultivars, localities etc.). The source of the data in level of the VSC were the previous studies (Tomsic and Kovacevic, 2011; VSC, 2012, 2013).
The State Hydrometeorological Institute (SHI, 2010, 2011, 2012) was source of the meteorological data (Gradiste Weather Bureau).
Weather and soil characteristics
The growing season 2009/2010 was less favorable for winter wheat growing, compared to the next two growing seasons, mainly due to excessive precipitation. For example, precipitation in the October-June period of the 2009/2010 growing season were close to double higher than in the 2010/2011 and the 2011/2012 growing season and for 57% higher compared to the LTM (Table 3).
Table 2. Precipitation and mean air-temperatures
Year / Gradiste (close to Zupanja) Weather Bureau:of / Oct.* / Nov.* / Dec.* / Jan. / Feb. / March / Apr. / May / June
harvest / Precipitation (mm) / Total
2010. / 61 / 57 / 111 / 75 / 68 / 50 / 51 / 99 / 195 / 767
2011. / 59 / 66 / 72 / 37 / 30 / 25 / 15 / 48 / 38 / 390
2012. / 30 / 5 / 63 / 32 / 51 / 3 / 90 / 76 / 39 / 389
Mean air- temperature (°C) / Average
2010. / 11.7 / 8.7 / 3.7 / -0.4 / 2.4 / 7.5 / 12.6 / 17.0 / 20.5 / 9.3
2011. / 9.4 / 9.7 / 1.0 / 1.0 / 0.9 / 7.2 / 13.9 / 16.8 / 21.1 / 9.0
2012. / 11.0 / 2.6 / 4.0 / 2.2 / -3.4 / 9.5 / 13.0 / 16.9 / 22.8 / 8.7
The long-term mean (LTM: 1971.-1990.g)
mm / 59 / 59 / 50 / 41 / 36 / 42 / 53 / 66 / 81 / 487
°C / 11.3 / 5.6 / 1.7 / 0.3 / 2.4 / 6.9 / 11.5 / 16.7 / 19.6 / 8.4
* October + November + December (the previous year)
Although the highest yield of wheat was found in 2012 (Table 4), weather characteristics in the 2011/2012 growing season was specific and in some periods less favorable for wheat. In general, wheat emergence was slow and non-uniform and plant density realization was mainly inadequate as a result of negligible precipitation in November. However, precipitation in December in combination with monthly air-temperature 4.0°C (the long-term average 1.7 °C) and continuation of mild winter (January 2.2°C; the long-term average 0.3 °C ) considerably improved the status of wheat crops. February was especially cold (-3.4°C) but snow cover alleviate the possible negative effects. Precipitation in March was also extremely low and for this reason tillering and vegetative growth was slow. At the end of March stem elongation of wheat crops began. Heading stage occured at the beginning of May and in the later period water amount was adequate for grain forming and filling (Table 2).
Table 3. Chemical properties of soils (0-30 cm of surface layer)
Soil / The soil complex (Table 7) *Property** / a / b / c / d / e / f / g / h / i / j
pH (1n KCl) / 6.6 / 5.4 / - / 5.4 / 6.45 / 7.55 / - / 5.9 / 5.6 / 6.7
Humus (%) / - / 1.70 / - / 1.76 / 2.12 / - / - / 1.71 / 1.73 / -
P2O5 (mg/100g) / 33.9 / 26.0 / - / 29.5 / 21.3 / 26.4 / - / 24.3 / 21.3 / 32.3
K2O (mg/100g) / 30.9 / 25.0 / - / 30.7 / 29.2 / 23.8 / - / 25.0 / 29.2 / 27.1
* a = Andrijasevci, b = Ceretinci, c = Ervenica, d= Komletinci, e = Lipovac,
f = Ljeskovac, g = Mirkovci, h = Otok, i = Privlaka, j = Sopot
Based on available soil test data, arable lands of PIK Vinkovci d.d. are mainly adequate of soil pH as well as phosphorus and potassium supplies (AL-method) with aspects of main field crops growing (Table 3). Only humus contents are low, probably as results of intensive soil tillage and aeration.
Results and discussion
Mean yield of wheat in the PIK Vinkovci d.d. for 3-year period 2010-2012 was 6.91 t/ha and it was for 18% and 43% higher in comparison with the yield in level of the VSC and the state level, respectively. The soil test data (Table 3) could be partially used as possible explanation of this phenomenon.
The highest yield of wheat were found in 2012 and it was the higher for 27%, 23% and 33% compared to the lowest yield realized in 2010, for PIK Vinkovci, VSC and Croatia, respectively (Table 4).
In general, fertilization of wheat was adequate for the high planned yields (Table 5). However, we presume that P and K fertilization on the some soils was too high because of the very high levels of available P and K (Table 3).
The optimal term of winter wheat sowing under conditions of the eastern Croatia is from 5 to 25 October. Sowing in November is mainly too late. Negative consequences of the late sowing depend on quality of soil preparing and uniform sowing to adequate soil depth, as well as temperature regime at early growth stages of wheat. In general, low quality of soil preparing and sowing, excessive precipitation, the lower temperature and cold winter are in connection with the considerable lower grain yields of wheat sown out of optimal terms (Marijanovic et al., 2010; Pepo and Kovacevic, 2011; Rastija et al., 2013). In the optimal term of sowing were sown only 23% of total wheat sowing area in autumn 2009, while in more favorable weather conditions in autumn 2011 (Table 2) about 50% of wheat was sown in October (Table 6).
Table 4. The harvested area and yields of wheat in the period 2010-2012 (VSC, 2013; SBS, 2012b)
The harvested area (ha) and grain yields (t/ha) of wheatYear / PIK Vinkovci d.d. / Vukovar-Syrmium County / Croatia
ha / t/ha / ha / t/ha / ha / t/ha
2010 / 1155 / 6.12 / 29250 / 5.2 / 168507 / 4.0
2011 / 889 / 6.86 / 30728 / 6.0 / 149797 / 5.2
2012 / 1218 / 7.76 / 35945 / 6.4 / 188113 / 5.3
Average / 1074 / 6.91 / 31974 / 5.87 / 168806 / 4.83
Table 5. Fertilization of wheat in PIK Vinkovci d.d.
PIK Vinkovci d.d.: Average fertilization of winter wheat for three growing seasonsThe fertilzer / 2009/2010 / 2010/2011 / 2011/2012
N / P2O5 / K2O / N / P2O5 / K2O / N / P2O5 / K2O
Urea (46% N) / 46 / - / - / 46 / - / - / 46 / - / -
CAN (27%N) / 81 / - / - / 81 / - / - / 81 / - / -
MAP (12% N+52% P2O5) / 30 / 130 / - / 18 / 78 / - / 18 / 78 / -
KCl (60% K2O) / - / - / 150 / - / - / 150 / - / - / 150
Total / 157 / 130 / 150 / 145 / 78 / 150 / 145 / 78 / 150
Table 6. The terms of winter wheat sowing in PIK Vinkovci
Year / The terms of winter wheat sowing (sowing area in ha) in PIK Vinkovci in autumn of 2009-2011 (in the brackets: % of total)October / November / Total
5 / 10 / 20 / 31 / 5 / 10 / 20
2009 / 261 / 619 / 276 / 1155ha
(22.6) / (53.5) / (23.9) / 100%
2010 / 308 / 361 / 220 / 889 ha
(34.6) / (40.7) / (24.7) / 100%
2011 / 127 / 136 / 367 / 588 / 1218ha
(10.4) / (11.2) / (30.1) / (48.3) / 100%
Table 7. The harvested area and grain yields of wheat in level of cultivar in PIK Vinkovci d.d.
The harvested area and grain yields of wheat in level of cultivar in PIK Vinkovci d.d. in the period 2010-2012 (year of harvest)Wheat / 2010 / 2011 / 2012
cultivar / ha / % / t/ha / ha / % / t/ha / ha / % / t/ha
Srpanjka / 592 / 51.3 / 6.51 / 467 / 52.4 / 7.44 / 494 / 40.6 / 8.13
Lucija / 110 / 9.5 / 5.75 / 224 / 25.2 / 6.88 / 605 / 49.7 / 7.72
Prima / 95 / 8.2 / 5.63 / x / x / x / x / x / x
Renata / 82 / 7.1 / 5.35 / x / x / x / x / x / x
Renan / 69 / 6.0 / 6.20 / 52 / 5.8 / 4.09 / 119 / 9.7 / 6.55
Sana / 60 / 5.2 / 5.79 / 101 / 11.4 / 5.90 / x / x / x
Katarina / 38 / 3.3 / 6.47 / 23 / 2.6 / 5.57 / x / x / x
Divana / 32 / 2.8 / 4.47 / x / x / x / x / x / x
The other / 77 / 6.6 / x / 22 / 2.6 / x / 0 / x / x
Total / 1155 / 100 / 6.12 / 889 / 100 / 6.86 / 1218 / 100 / 7.76
Srpanjka cultivar has been the first-ranged cultivar on the arable lands of PIK Vinkovci d.d. (Table 7). The early maturity group and short stem (usualy about 65 cm) and high number of the fertile ears per unit area is main characteristics of Srpanjka cultivar. Drought stress is common under our environmental conditions at beginning of June. The wheat cultivars of the earliest maturity group, like Srpanjka, are usually completed grain filling and are the beginning of wax maturity stage. This is possible explanation of the highest yield of Srpanjka compared to the remaining cultivars.