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This study describes and classifies the soils of the foot and toe slopes of the Vukan Mountain, Central Serbia, the contact point of two distinct geomorphological units, with a focus on their spatial distribution and their main soil-forming processes. The Vukan Mountain is formed of Jurassic limestones and dolomites, whereas the foot and toe slopes are of fluviatile-colluvial origin. A total of 42 soil profiles were examined. Soil profile locations were determined with respect to elevation differences, accounting for a set of six profiles for every 5-m elevation increase between 175 and 210 m a.s.l. The area is characterized by the dominance of chernic and mollic topsoil horizons and the major part of the area is covered with Phaeozems. Five Reference Soil Groups were found in a very small area. Eleven soil profiles are Chernic Phaeozems, five are Cambic Phaeozems, and twelve are Rendzic Phaeozems. The central part of the study area is characterized by the accumulation of secondary carbonates and Chernozems were identified. The northern part of the study area is covered with Fluvisols, Calcisols, and Leptic Rendzic Phaeozems, whereas Chernic and Cambic Phaeozems and Eutric Cambisols cover the western part of the study area. The differences in the CaCO 3 content in the gravels, the differences in the gravel content, and the different lateral and vertical distribution of CaCO 3 are strong evidence of surface processes that occurred in the past. The presence of different geological layers and buried horizons suggests fluviatile processes. The spatial distribution of soils is related mainly to parent material occurrence, and colluvial and alluvial processes that occurred in the past. The soil map created in GIS has Reference Soil Group as central unit following Rule 1 for map legend creation, except in the case of Phaeozems, which are present as Phaeozems (Leptic) and Phaeozems (other) following Rule 5. This soil survey with approximately one soil profile per 4 ha has indicated considerable soil heterogeneity in the study area. Detailed surveys are therefore recommended for areas with pronounced heterogeneity of soil-forming factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • High yield of soybean corresponds to actual evapotranspiration above 380 mm independently of precipitation. • A sum of precipitation and irrigation should be between 350 and 400 mm for high yield. • The I 65 treatment is recommended for soybean cultivation in a temperate climate. • In moderately dry years, irrigation of about 120 mm gives high yields, WP and IWP. • A significant quadratic relation between seed yield and crop ET was observed in non-wet years. Abstract In temperate climatic regions, agricultural production depends on precipitation amount and its distribution during the growing season. A 3-year field study was conducted to investigate the effects of different irrigation regimes on yield parameters and water productivity of sprinkler-irrigated soybean [ Glycine max (L.) Merr.], grown under wet, semi-dry and dry conditions in a temperate environment. Four irrigation levels were applied: full irrigation (I 100 ), 65% and 40% of full irrigation (I 65 and I 40 ) and non-irrigated control (I 0 ). On average, the I 0 treatment resulted in the highest harvest index (HI) and I 100 produced the lowest HI. A significant quadratic correlation between seed yield and crop water use was observed in dry and semi-dry year. The irrigation regime significantly influenced seed yield and water use. I 65 treatment produced the highest seed yield (3.69 t ha–1) and showed the highest water productivity (WP) (0.90 kg m–3) and irrigation WP (1.08 kg m–3). The present study indicated that irrigation is necessary for soybean cultivation in semi-dry and dry years i.e., when seasonal precipitation is lower than about 300 mm. In wet years, with a favourable amount and distribution of precipitation during the growing season, yields are similar to those achieved with irrigation and high ET values of soybean are attributable to increased evaporation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Vojvodina region, water deficit during the growing season is a major factor limiting maize production. Therefore, to achieve the ideal soil water content in this region, it is of crucial importance to optimize irrigation. The effects of different irrigation levels with sprinkler irrigation system on crop yield, yield components, water use, water (WUE) and irrigation water use (IWUE) efficiency of maize ( Zea mays L.) were investigated in Vojvodina (northern Serbia), on a Calcaric Chernozem soil in temperate environment for 3 consecutive years (2006–2008). Maize was subjected to four irrigation regimes, as follows: non-limited irrigation ( I 100 ), 75% of non-limited irrigation ( I 75 ), 50% of non-limited irrigation ( I 50 ), and rainfed (non-irrigated) as the control ( I 0 ). The irrigation treatments were arranged in a complete randomized block design with 4 replicates. Results showed that maize grown in rainfed conditions had high annual variability, mainly due to amount of rainfall and its distribution during the crop-growing seasons. A significant irrigation effect was found for yield, yield components and others investigated parameters under study. Water stress had significant impact on yield response: as an average of the three years, a grain yield increase of 47.8, 32.8, and 22.9% was observed in I 100 , I 75 and I 50 treatments compared to rainfed ( I 0 ) treatment, respectively. Yield increased linearly with seasonal crop evapotranspiration and irrigation amount. Furthermore, WUE is maximized with a moderate water deficit ( I 50 ), while IWUE is the highest in I 100 treatment. The deficit irrigation stress index, DISI, decreased with increasing irrigation rate. The results revealed that irrigation is necessary for maize cultivation because rainfall is insufficient to meet the crop water needs in Vojvodina. In addition, the study indicated that the irrigation regime of 25% water saving ( I 75 ) could ensure satisfactory grain yield of maize and increment of WUE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]