Increasing drought caused by climate change poses a significant challenge to potato production. In our experiment conducted in Sonkád (Hungary), different leaf treatments and irrigation regimens were tested over two growing seasons in a randomized block design using the Manitou variety. During the experiment, three irrigation rates (full, 50%, and dry control) were used, along with four foliar treatments – salicylic acid, hydrogen peroxide, silicon, and micronutrients – which were applied exclusively to the non-irrigated plots. A total of seven different treatments were carried out in four replicates. Based on the results from the two growing seasons, the silicon, hydrogen peroxide, microcomplex, and salicylic acid foliar treatments significantly increased the relative chlorophyll content (SPAD) compared to the control and the irrigated treatments. On average over the two years, the NDVI value was significantly increased by the silicon, hydrogen peroxide, microcomplex, and salicylic acid foliar treatments compared to the control, and no statistical difference was observed in performance between the full-dose irrigation treatment and the listed treatments. NDVI measurements taken at various time points confirmed that treatments with the tested substances were able to slow chlorophyll degradation and maintain the integrity of the photosynthetic apparatus even during the critical post-flowering period. In the case of the leaf area index, the highest value was observed in the treatment irrigated with the full dose, but no significant difference was found compared to the performance of the silicon, hydrogen peroxide, microcomplex, and salicylic acid treatments. At the same time, the most important indicator in terms of yield was irrigation, which had a significant impact in both years. Although the foliar treatments mitigated stress and improved plant vitality, they did not result in a statistically significant increase in yield compared to the untreated control.
In the 2024 growing season, I examined the smart parameters of five different genotypes of maize hybrids within the framework of a long-term field experiment. The research focused on the germination dynamics, dry matter accumulation in relation to the useful heat units, and the analysis of individual NDVI and SPAD values of the plants. The cooling that occurred during the two weeks following sowing posed challenges for the hybrids, yet the adaptive strategies of the different genotypes were clearly observable. The dynamics of germination and the rate of dry matter accumulation highlighted the diversity among the genotypes, offering significant potential in terms of yield and harvest timing. The Kabanero hybrid performed exceptionally well, emerging the earliest and reaching the highest final dry matter content. The Synopsis hybrid showed dynamic adaptation: although its initial germination was slower, it later accelerated, resulting in balanced dry matter accumulation. Dueling hybrid exhibited the most equal germination and the highest number of emerged plants, coupled with a continuous increase in dry matter content, leading to stable growth. Indem1012 hybrid was sensitive to the drop in temperature, resulting in delayed germination, yet it still achieved significant dry matter accumulation. Kabaretto hybrid emergence equal and although it maintained a lower dry matter content until physiological maturity, it produced the highest average yield, demonstrating its excellent yield potential. NDVI analysis revealed that all hybrids reached their highest values during the V12 phenological stage, reflecting healthy plant development. The SPAD value analysis showed similar patterns for the Kabanero, Synopsis, and Dueling hybrids, with peak values measured at the V12, silking, and R4 stages. In the Indem1012 and Kabaretto hybrids, high SPAD values were recorded during the V12 stage, followed by a decrease during silking, and a subsequent increase at the R4 stage, indicating the hybrids' adaptability. Overall, the diverse performance of the studied maize hybrids provided valuable insights into the relationships between germination dynamics, dry matter accumulation, and physiological development, highlighting the potential inherent in genetic diversity.
The sustainable development of crop production is one of today's most important agronomic challenges. Modern technologies such as precision farming, including nutrient management and irrigation strategies, play a key role in optimising yields and ensuring sustainability. In an experiment set up at the DE AKIT DTTI Látókép Crop Production Experiment Site, we investigated the phenometric (leaf area index, development dynamics), physiological (relative chlorophyll content, NDVI value, water release dynamics) and yield parameters (yield, individual ear and kernel weight, individual kernel number, thousand kernel weight, protein, oil, starch and grain moisture content). Based on the evaluation of yield, it was found that the highest yield (20.95 t/ha) was obtained by the mid-ripening FAO 390 hybrid, significantly higher than the yield of the other examined hybrids. Altogether, it was found that there were significant, in many cases statistically significant, differences in the phenometric, physiological and yield parameters studied between maize hybrids of different maturity, allowing for a precise differentiation of the main traits of each hybrid.
The extremely hot summer weather in 2024 provided favorable conditions for the heat sum-based evaluation of maize hybrids. At the University of Debrecen's Látókép Experimental Station, we evaluated the development, dry matter accumulation, and water loss dynamics of five hybrids with different FAO numbers (P9398, P9944, P9975, P0450, P0710). Based on the results, hybrid-specific physiological maturation and dry matter accumulation could be well monitored as a function of the useful heat sum. The dry matter and grain moisture values determined during sampling allowed for accurate characterization of the water loss rate, which showed significant differences between the hybrids. The timing and duration of the intensive water loss phase are decisive for the harvest date and drying costs. Heat sum-based monitoring is a reliable tool for determining the phenological stages of maize hybrids and can contribute to the optimization of cultivation technology in a changing climate.
The use of humic acids in agricultural production worldwide dates back several decades and numerous scientific studies support the beneficial effects of the compounds. However, less information is available about their combined use with macro- and microelements. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of humic acids combined with boron and sulfur using modern genetic tools. We performed genome-level transcriptomic analyses using the Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technique and found that the combined use of humic acids with nutrients positively influences several plant biochemical processes. Its beneficial effects extend to certain stages of photosynthesis and cellular respiration, and also affect the function of some ribosomal genes. However, among the findings previously published in the literature, at the gene level we were unable to confirm additional positive effects (e.g. stress-relieving, antioxidant effects, etc.) that can be derived from the individual or combined use of humic acids. Our studies provide deeper insight and explain the transcriptomic background of changes in some plant physiological processes observed upon application of humic acid solutions.
One of the basic for the successful production of hybrid seeds is ensuring the genetic homogenity of the parental lines and their hybrids. This can be assessed using laboratory methods, such as protein markers, isozymes, and molecular markers, as well as field tests. MALDI-TOF MS (matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry) is particularly suitable for examining the genetic homogenity of seeds, as it allows obtaining a unique “protein fingerprint” for each sample based on the detected m/z values and peak intensities. Proteins appear as characteristic peaks in the mass spectrum, and their presence or absence can be used to infer the uniformity of the samples. The advantage of MALDI-TOF lies in its ability to rapidly and reliably detect proteins, even in complex samples, while measurement parameters – relative intensity, absolute intensity, signal-to-noise ratio, resolution, and peak area – allow an objective evaluation of spectrum quality. In homogeneous seed samples, spectra display nearly identical peaks and intensities, whereas heterogeneous samples exhibit differing peak patterns. Thus, this technique is fast, sensitive, and reproducible, enabling the monitoring of marker proteins, comparison of spectra, and precise determination of genetic homogenity.
In the recent decades, the structure of Hungarian agriculture has undergone significant transformation. Between 1990 and 2022, the number of farms decreased from 1.4 million to 241,000. After the political transition, large-scale collective farms were replaced by small- and medium-sized private holdings; however, later a renewed trend of concentration emerged, especially in arable crop production. By 2022, the share of arable farming rose to 66.8%, while the proportion of horticultural and plantation farms declined. In terms of land ownership, medium-sized farms (5–300 hectares) became dominant, while small-scale farming lost ground. The share of large farms also significantly decreased, with land use becoming increasingly concentrated in the hands of mid-sized operators. The extent of agricultural land has continuously declined, whereas forested areas expanded. The proportion of land withdrawn from cultivation has increased, primarily due to urbanisation and infrastructure development. Kitchen gardens have almost disappeared, and vineyard, orchard, and grassland areas have also shrunk. Changes in cropping patterns were shaped by market conditions and climate factors: the cultivated area of cereals – especially wheat and rye – declined, while sunflower and rapeseed production expanded. The area under most vegetable and fruit crops decreased, with only a few newer crops (e.g., broccoli, zucchini) showing growth. The average yields of major crops generally improved due to technological advancement. However, climatic extremes – particularly the severe drought of 2022 – caused substantial declines in productivity.
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.
There were significant differences in yield and morphology among the maize hybrids included in the experiment based on the 2025 growing season. The H6 hybrid proved to be the best performing genotype, excelling in terms of yield (21.20 t/ha), individual grain weight (258.19 g), number of kernels, and thousand kernel weight (488.72 g), and achieved significantly better results than the other hybrids in several traits. The H3 hybrid also showed high yield potential (19.36 t/ha) and resulted in high grain weight and favorable SPAD values, proving to be the second most productive genotype. The H5, H4, and H2 hybrids can be classified as normal performers, producing stable but more moderate yield levels and grain weight, but there were significant differences in yield among these hybrids. SPAD values and NDVI values showed clear differences between the hybrids. The H4, H3, and H5 hybrids achieved outstanding SPAD values during the vegetative stage, indicating rapid initial development, while the H6 and H2 hybrids showed balanced SPAD dynamics throughout the entire growing season. Based on NDVI values, the H2 and H5 hybrids proved to be the most stable in the generative stage, indicating their good stress tolerance. Overall, the study showed that yield is influenced by grain weight, grain number, and plant condition indicators, and that the H6 and H3 hybrids represent outstanding agronomic value based on several parameters. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that different genotypes responded differently to the agrometeorological effects present during the unfavorable growing season of 2025, even with the use of drip irrigation.
Abiotic stress factors, especially drought and heat stress, which are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change, pose significant challenges to potato production. The aim of this research was to examine the effects of different irrigation schemes and foliar treatments – salicylic acid, silicon, hydrogen peroxide, and microelements – on the physiological parameters, yield, and quality characteristics of potatoes under drought conditions. In a field experiment conducted in Sonkád (Hungary) during the 2024 growing season, a medium-late Manitou variety was used. During the study, two irrigation doses and four types of foliar treatments were tested in a split-plot design. Based on the results, full and 50% irrigation significantly increased stomatal conductance, NDVI, leaf area index, and yield. Among the foliar treatments, silicon and hydrogen peroxide had a positive effect on relative chlorophyll content and NDVI, but did not result in a significant increase in yield. Treatments with salicylic acid, microcomplex, silicon, and the total dose significantly increased starch content, while the application of silicon increased the amount of reducing sugar content. The results of the first year of experiments indicate that foliar treatments applied without irrigation can only occasionally mitigate the negative physiological effects of water deficiency, but irrigation is essential to achieve significant improvements in yield and quality. The research may contribute to technological developments aimed at increasing drought tolerance in potato production, but further experiments are needed.
In Hungary, soil drought, atmospheric drought, and extremely high temperatures often interact in complex ways to cause significant maize yield losses, so the issue of drought was also the focus of the agrometeorological study for 2025. As in previous years, the main meteorological factors determining crop yield were analysed and the weather in the Debrecen region was evaluated in relation to the individual phenological phases. At the beginning of the growing season, the upper soil layers were saturated with water, but slightly less water than usual reached the deeper layers. April, which is favorable for maize (sowing and germination period), was followed by a particularly cool May, significantly slowing down plant development. Due to the very dry, very hot June, signs of water stress were already visible to the naked eye in the second half of the month (plant height, leaf condition), as a result of increasing soil drought and regular atmospheric drought during the daytime. July proved to be favorable with rainy and moderately warm weather, which was the main reason why the average maize yield was above average. In line with previous research results, this year's harvest proves that the seemingly extremely unfavorable weather in June does not in itself prevent above-average yields.
In Hungary, seed production operates within a strictly regulated certification system defined by legal provisions. The purpose of this system is to preserve and monitor the quality and genetic value of seeds, which form the foundation of crop production. One of the main elements of the certification process is the small-plot post-control testing conducted at the Monorierdő Variety Post Control Station of the National Food Chain Safety Office (NÉBIH), commonly referred to as variety post-control. This procedure represents the final, so-called progeny control phase of seed certification and includes two main types of testing: varietal identity and varietal purity verification. Both are based on the principles of distinctness, uniformity, and stability (DUS), which ensure that the seeds of each variety remain clearly identifiable, homogeneous, and genetically stable across generations. The implementation and evaluation of these tests are defined in detail by national standard and internal regulation. These documents specify the methodology of variety post-control, the criteria for assessment, and the official procedures of certification. This process allows for the continuous monitoring of variety preservation and multiplication, contributing to the reliability of seed production, the protection of seed quality, and ultimately ensuring the genetic stability of crop production.
In recent years, corn stem base rot has received less attention, primarily due to advancements in breeding activities. However, given the increasing climatic extremes and the intensification of cultivation technologies, it remains crucial to address this syndrome, as it significantly impacts yield. The inoculum persisting in the corn stalks left on the field poses a threat to subsequent crops in the crop rotation, increasing protection costs. The aim of our research was to rapidly and quantitatively assess the resistance of corn stalk rind under different tillage systems. Our results indicate that the severity of stem base infection varied across tillage practices. The lowest infection rate was observed in conventional tillage (12%), whereas strip-till systems exhibited significantly higher levels (24.5%). Although stalk breakage did not occur by the end of the growing season, plants affected by stem base rot produced 12.5% lower yields compared to healthy ones.
Climate change poses increasing challenges for maize production. Climate change is particularly noticeable in Hungary. When growing maize hybrids, special attention must be paid to nutrient and water supply. Irrigation development and the installation of irrigation systems are key elements of precision maize cultivation. One such intensive technology is drip irrigation, which ensures efficient crop production in a planned and controlled manner. This precision irrigation technique delivers water directly to the root zone, optimising water supply. The movement of nitrogen in the soil, which is necessary for yield formation, is highly dependent on irrigation. Monitoring the nitrogen supply of plants provides important information. The most commonly used methods for this are the SPAD and NDVI indices, which have a wide range of applications. The tests were carried out at the Látókép Experimental Station of the University of Debrecen, where all the conditions are in place to carry out important analyses by comparing accurate measurement data collected over many years. This time, the subject of the study was the FAO520 maize hybrid. Based on the long-term experiment results, the H520 maize hybrid has good phenotypic characteristics, a stable structure, high yield potential, good adaptability, and fast water release dynamics. The yield of the H520 maize hybrid is excellent in irrigated cultivation (21.41 t/ha). The dry matter accumulation dynamics of the hybrid are outstanding. The grain moisture content at harvest was very favorable, at 13.9%.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is opening a new era in agriculture, particularly in the field of precision farming. This paper aims to provide an insightful overview of how AI technologies can be applied to yield prediction, crop health monitoring, and early pest and disease detection. Findings from international research clearly indicate that those countries and producers who adopt these tools early will gain a long-term competitive advantage. The Hungarian agricultural sector faces increasing challenges: climate change, labor shortages, and market pressure. AI-based tools offer solutions through automation, precision, and cost efficiency. However, implementation requires not only access to technology but also a clear understanding, practical examples, and local case studies that demonstrate how AI works under Hungarian conditions and supports Hungarian farmers. The future lies not only in technology but in its comprehension. Therefore, review articles like this one play a key role in bridging the gap between science and farm-level decision-making. The methods and models discussed here provide a foundation for developing domestic case studies and decision-support systems that directly benefit farmers in their everyday operations.
Today’s experience clearly shows that crop production plays a key role in solving many of the challenges our world is facing. The effects of climate change are undeniable, as they influence yield stability in unpredictable ways and therefore also the profitability of growing crops. Growing environmental awareness is also changing the expectations towards crop production technologies. Plants remain important in renewable energy production, even though solar and nuclear energy are the main focus of current developments. Reducing the use of chemicals is also an important part of producing healthy food. The question is whether agriculture can introduce innovative technologies that help to meet these expectations. The aim of this study is to explain why the cultivation of improved short-rotation willow (Salix sp.) deserves more attention in addressing today’s problems. We show how precision breeding can help to increase the biogas yield of energy tree plantations, which supports the wider use of willow as a raw material. On saline soils, planting salt-tolerant willow genotypes can provide several environmental benefits. Nowadays, the use of plant biostimulants is becoming more common. Aqueous extracts made from willow shoots can stimulate the growth and grain yield of maize plants. The many possible ways of using willow confirm that Hungarian farmers should give more priority to establishing willow plantations on marginal lands.
In Hungary, maize is one of the most widely grown crops, with a stable area of 0.8–1 million hectares. The reason for this is the exceptional yield of the crop, which allows a significant amount of value to be produced per unit area. Domestic production is mainly used for animal feed, particularly in the poultry and pig sectors, and for feeding ruminants. Its use is not only as food or fodder crops, but is also increasingly important for the production of oil, bioethanol and energy. The intrinsic values of maize – protein, starch and oil – are crucial for its use in industry, feed and food. The nutrient supply of maize is essential to ensure plant development. Adequate nutrient supply is essential to ensure sustainable farming and high yields. The nutrient rates applied must be adapted to the needs of the crop so that the hybrids tolerate stress caused by seasonal effects well and yield security is maintained. Water deficit is one of the most serious abiotic stresses that negatively affect plant growth, development and yield. Extreme weather conditions reduce yields and threaten stable production. The content, quality and industrial use of maize are closely linked to genetic, ecological and agrotechnical factors. By selecting the appropriate hybrid and applying the appropriate cultivation technology, yield indicators can be adapted to different purposes. In the agrotechnical studies for 2024, the main yield determinants were analysed, and weather was evaluated for each agrotechnical element and phenophase. The research is mainly based on meteorological measurements at the Látókép Experimental Station of the University of Debrecen. In the winter period 2023/24, 283 mm of precipitation fell in 6 months, 69 mm above the long-term average. In June, the weather was free of extremes, with evenly distributed temperatures, but above the multi-year average. The above average rainfall (66 mm), combined with soil moisture in the deeper layers of the soil, ensured a good water supply. The average temperatures in both July and August were close to record highs (24.2 °C). The exceptional warmth in August (mid to late August) was mainly due to the shortening of the ripening phase. The 29 mm of precipitation in July was less than half the multi-year average and the following month of August was also dry (33 mm). The summer total was 128 mm. In early September, the unseasonably warm weather continued, with the first decade showing a positive anomaly of nearly 7 °C. The physiological maturity of the maize and its rapid drainage and drying allowed early harvesting. The year 2024 was marked by a marked dichotomy in terms of maize production. Our field maize experiments allowed us to record the phenophases of the plants throughout the growing season (Hanway scale). As a new result, our analyses showed that, especially in the generative phase, more accurate data were obtained when taking into account the useful heat sum (HU) calculations. From emergence to silking, 60 days passed using 545 HU of heat sum. From silking to waxy maturation (R4) 32 days and 422 HU were needed. It was found that from silking to physiological maturation, typical of the genotype, 815 HU were required. The yield of maize hybrid H470 under irrigation is excellent (20.76 t/ha). The dry matter incorporation dynamics of the hybrid is outstanding. Dry matter gain was measured weekly. At the physiological maturation phenophase (30 August 2024), using 1360 HU, the dry matter content was 77.1%. The dry matter measurements allowed the evaluation of the water loss dynamics of a maize hybrid with excellent yield potential. Measurements and analyses were performed every seven days. The water loss rate was 5.5% in the first week, 5.8% in the second week, 4.6% in the third week and 6.9% in the fourth week. At physiological maturation, grain moisture showed a favourable value (22.9%). After physiological maturation, the daily water loss was 0.23% during the 21-day period.
