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The intensive form of agricultural production often leads to disruption of physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil. Therefore, in recent years there has been an increasing focus on research and finding ways to preserve the soil with management practices that support soil conservation. The research was conducted on the experimental field of the Institute for Field and Vegetable Crops Novi Sad on Rimski Šančevi. The experiment was set up as a randomized block design. The winter cover crops consisted of the combined intercrops: Triticale (×Triticosecale Wittm. ex A. Camus) and winter pea (Pisum sativum ssp. arvense L.) (T+P), solo winter fodder pea crop (Pisum sativum ssp. arvense L.) (P) and a control without winter cover crops (sole or mixtures)(Ø). The experiment with winter cover crops was divided into two blocks. In the first block, the winter cover crops were chopped and plowed, while treatments in the second block were mowed using a rotary mower and the fodder was removed for feeding ruminants. After ploughing and preparing the soil for sowing, sowing of spring crops (soybean, maize and sudan grass) was carried out on all varieties in the subsequent sowing period. This research aims to determine the influence of different types of winter cover crops and spring crops from subsequent sowing period on the physical properties of Chernozem with a special emphasis on soil structure. It was determined that values of MWD on the treatments where the mixture of cover crops (T+P plowed) ranged from 1.11 mm to 1.39 mm, which indicated a better aggregates stability compared to the control treatments where no cover crops were sown. Due to variable root morphology and water requirements, which may alter soil structure, it is required to pay more attention to the adaptation of management strategies through the use of cover crops as well as the selection of their mixes.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of cover crops and interactions on yield and yield components of maize in the semi arid conditions. Research was carried out in the production years 2020 at the Rimski Šančevi experimental station of the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops in Novi Sad. The winter cover crops consisted of the combined intercrops: winter pea (Pisum sativum ssp. arvense L.) + triticale (Triticosecale) (PT) and single-species cover crops winter pea (P) and control without cover crops (C), all with nitrogen fertilization 50 kg ha -1 (N50) and without the use of fertilizer (N0). The sowing of winter cover crops was carried out in autumn in the first decade of November, and their mulching and plowing was done in the last week of May. After plowing and soil preparation, maize (NS4051) was sown in the first decade of Jun and harvested in October. The statistical significance (p

Intensive crop cultivation systems require continuous monitoring of irrigation water quality as well as the control of physical and chemical soil properties. In view of the ongoing climate change and a dramatic decrease in soil organic matter content, the use of low quality irrigation water and its adverse effects on soil, cultivated plants and irrigation equipment must not be overlooked. The aim of this paper was to evaluate general quality of irrigation water from the different water intake sources in the Vojvodina Province. The paper presents the results of irrigation water quality, collected during 2018 and 2019. The research included 140 irrigation water samples obtained from three different intake structures which collect water from wells, canals or reservoirs. Water quality was assessed using the following parameters: pH value, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), ionic balance, sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) and residual sodium carbonate (RSC) value. Water quality diagram given by the US Salinity Laboratory (USSL) and FAO guidelines for interpretation water quality for irrigation was used. Additionally, the Nejgebauer classification for irrigation water, developed specifically for the area of Vojvodina, was used as a third classification. Based on the results of mineralization of the irrigation water, the following values of the observed parameters were determined: average pH of the analyzed water samples were 7.89, ranged from 7.14 to 9.01, while electrical conductivity values ranged from 0.10 to 3.50 dS/m, with an average of 0.85 dS/m. TDS analysis resulted in a wide range of values, from 112 mg/l to 2,384 mg/l, with an average of 529,22 mg/l. SAR values varied between 0.04-16.52 with a satisfactory average of 1.97. The USSL water classification produced similar results as FAO classification and RSC index

The experiment with drip irrigated pepper was conducted at the Rimski Šančevi experimental field of the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops in Novi Sad in 2019. The irrigation was scheduled on the basis of the water balance method. Two methods were used to compute the daily evapotranspiration of pepper (ETd): reference evapotranspiration (ETo) and evaporation from an open water surface (Eo). Crop coefficients (kc) and corrective coefficients (k) were used to convert ETo and Eo values into ETd. Kc and k were 0.3-0.4, 0.6-0.7, 0.9-1.1, 0.8-0.9 and 0.4, 0.7, 1.0 and 0.8 for initial stage, crop development, mid season, and late season, respectively. ETo was calculated by the Hargreaves equation. Eo values were measured by a Class-A pan located at a meteorological station near the experimental plot. Irrigation started when readily available water (RAW) in the 0.3 m soil layer was completely absorbed by plants. Differences in crop yield (Y) and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) obtained using Eo (42.58 t ha-1, 15.20 kg m-3) and ETo (40.78 t ha-1, 14.56 kg m-3) were not statistically different. Evapotranspiration rate was 364.2 mm and 337.3 mm in Eo and ETo variant, respectively. The fact that the differences in Y and IWUE between different calculations of ETd were not statistically significant indicates that both methods can be recommended for irrigation scheduling programs for pepper in the climatic conditions of the Vojvodina region. However, priority should be given to ETo due to the easy accessibility and reliability of data.

The impact of long-term (> 100 yr) irrigation on soil chemical properties was studied on eight plots in the Beli Drim river valley in Kosovo and Metohija near Klina, Serbia. For these studies, soil samples from shallow profiles were collected from only one or two depth zones of the Ah horizon; and from moderately deep and deep profiles, from two to three depth zones for the purpose of comparing irrigated field and non-irrigated meadow lands. Water from the Beli Drim River and surface gravity systems (irrigation furrows or border strip irrigation) were used for irrigation. Chemical variables included determination of pH-H2O, content of CaCO3, content of humus, hydrolytic acidity, sum of basic cations, cation exchange capacity, and base saturation. On irrigated soils, the results of chemical analysis showed on average a small increase in pH-H2O (0.07 pH units), as well as a significant decrease in humus content (2.00-4.75%), sum of basic cations (4.98-12.98%) and cation exchange capacity (12.8%) compared to the non-irrigated land of the study area. Long-term irrigation had no effect on hydrolytic acidity and base saturation in the Ah horizon of the investigated lands. Namely, the mentioned variations in the chemical properties of the investigated soils show that slight processes of reduction in the humus content and reduction of the content of base cations occured. Data on the chemical properties of the investigated soils indicate that the destructive processes of reduction in the humus content and leaching of base cations must be controlled in order to achieve a stable sustainable system of high productivity and prevent their further deterioration.

Analysis of irrigation scheduling of maize was done by using evaporation from the free water surface (Eo) and correction coefficients (k) and reference evapotranspiration (ETo) and crop coefficients (kc). The field experiment was carried out in 2018 on the Experimental field of the Institute of field and vegetable crops in the Department of alternative crops in Bački Petrovac. Maize hybrid NS 6030 was used for the trials. The plants were irrigated by a drip system with a lateral in each row with drippers spaced every 0.33 m. The drippers had an average flow rate of 2.0 l h-1 under the pressure of 70 kPa. The differences in yield of maize in the irrigation conditions were not statistically significant compared to the variant without irrigation because the year was favorable for maize production. As well there was no difference among variants used for the calculation of maize evapotranspiration. Maize evapotranspiration in the growing season (ETm) were 502 mm and 429 mm by using ETo and kc and Eo and k. Monthly values of ETm during the growing season were consistent regardless of the calculation methods, except in July. Values of ETm in July of 151 mm and 107 mm calculated by using ETo and kc and Eo and k methods as well the daily values which are correlated with the monthly have to be checked in irrigation scheduling of maize in the following investigation period. If statistical significance in maize yield between different methods of calculation is determined, the procedure with a higher yield has to be accepted in the calculation of ETm in the climatic conditions of the Vojvodina region. Otherwise, if the differences in maize yield are not statistical significance a method of calculation by using Eo and k will be recommended, because the value of the lower daily water used on maize evapotranspiration may be considered more realistic.

Physical properties play an important role in determining suitability of soil for agricultural, amelioration, ecological and technical purposes. They are influence on movement, storage and availability of water and nutrients for plants, ease of plant root penetration and movement of heat and air. Furthermore, they are also effect chemical and biological properties of soil. Although Fluvisols (alluvial-meadow soils) are one of the most widespread soils in Serbia, little research has been done on them. The aim of this study was therefore to evaluate the most important physical properties of long-term irrigated Fluvisols that were formed on the carbonate deposit of the White Drim River in Kosovo and Metohija (Serbia). Eight profiles, i.e. 23 undisturbed soil samples and 69 disturbed soil samples were examined. The depth of the upper part of the soil profile, which lies above the layer of sand, stones and gravel, in which the roots of the plants develop, is very uneven from profile to profile, i.e. it varies from small (approx. 30 cm) to very large (>200 cm). The investigated Fluvisols are heavy textured (>50% clay content). The results show a high variability of the physical properties in the surface layer of these soils. Most of the investigated physical properties of the eight open Fluvisol profiles, in addition to the heavy texture, are quite favorable and fairly uniform in the plow layer, while they are much less favorable, though not particularly unfavorable, under the plow layer in deeper profiles.

The objective of this study, conducted in the northern Serbian province of Vojvodina, was to analyze the effect of surface and subsurface drip irrigation (with drip lateral placement depths of 0.05 and 0.1 m) on the yield and water productivity of onions (Allium cepa L., var. ‘Holandski žuti’). The irrigation applied was scheduled on the basis of the water balance method. The daily evapotranspiration rate was computed using the reference evapotranspiration (ETo) based on the Hargreaves equation and the crop coefficient (kc). The irrigation rate was 30 mm, whereas the amount of water added by irrigation during the season was 150 mm. According to the results obtained, the onion yield under irrigated conditions was significantly higher than that under non-irrigated (control) conditions. Differences in the yield obtained using surface and subsurface irrigation were non-significant. The amounts of water used for evapotranspiration under irrigated and non-irrigated conditions were 363 mm and 220 mm, respectively. The value of the surface irrigation yield response factor (Ky) was 0.62, whereas the values of the subsurface irrigation yield response factor (Ky) were 0.61 (0.05 m) and 0.79 (0.1 m). Consequently, onions grown from sets proved moderately sensitive to water stress under regional climate conditions and could be grown without irrigation. The value of the irrigation water use efficiency (Iwue) ranged from 3.55 to 4.97 kg m−3, whereas the value of the evapotranspiration water use efficiency (ETwue) ranged from 3.72 to 5.22 kg m−3. The highest yield of onions was obtained using a drip lateral placement depth of 0.1 m, which is recommended for high-yielding onion production.

The experiments showing the effect of drip irrigation on yield and evapotranspiration of fibre hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) were conducted at the experimental field of the Alternative Crops Department, Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, Novi Sad, Serbia. Irrigation was based on the water balance method. Daily evapotranspiration (ETd) was computed from the reference evapotranspiration (ETo) and crop coefficient (kc) 0.5, 0.9 and 1.1 from sowing to 3-4 pair of leaves, from 3-4 pair of leaves to appearance of male flowers and from appearance of male flowers to the end of the season, respectively. ETo was calculated using Hargreaves equation. The irrigation depth was restricted to the soil depth of 0.4 m. In other words, irrigation started when readily available water in the soil layer of 0.4 m was completely depleted by plants. The irrigation rate was 30 mm at the beginning of the season, 40 mm in the middle of the season, and the amount of water added by irrigation was 320 mm during the entire season. Irrigation significantly affected the yield of fresh stems, fresh leaves, flowers and plant height, but not stem diameter and fibre content. Water used on evapotranspiration in irrigation conditions (ETm) was 470 mm, while in non-irrigated control variant it amounted to 129 mm (ETa). These preliminary results could be used as a good platform for hemp growers in the region, in terms of optimizing the use of irrigation water.

The goal of this research is to determine the effects of different levels of water deficit (I100: full irrigation, I65: 35% deficit, I40: 60% deficit and I0: no irrigation) on yield and chemical composition of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] grown in Srem region of Serbia. Water deficit significantly affected the yield and chemical composition of soybean seeds. The lowest (1.63 t/ha) and the highest (3.21 t/ha) seed yields were obtained from I0 and I65 treatments, respectively. Furthermore, the highest protein (1092 kg/ha) and oil (563 kg/ha) yields were observed in I65 treatment. Lower and higher irrigation levels from I65 decreased the protein and oil yields. Our data indicated that irrigation generally increased K, P, Mg, Mn, Cu, Zn and B concentrations and decreased Ca and Fe concentrations in soybean seed. It was clearly observed that full-watered treatment (I100) provided no potential benefit in terms of soybean yield and chemical composition. For higher economic yield and good nutritional quality, water-saving treatment I65 could be suitable in soybean management in Srem region of Serbia as in other regions with similar soil and climate conditions.

In order to get a comprehensive overview of the effect of land use on soil physical properties, this study was conducted on the selected representative soil samples collected at the territory of Autonomous Province of Vojvodina and included 6 types of soil present in this area. Undisturbed soil samples were taken from 61 localities, from the surface horizon (0 -30 cm) using the Kopetzky cylinders in three replications. The rate of water flow through soil was determined by the constant flow rate method. The velocities of water flow and filtration coefficients were calculated (K-Darcy), while statistical analysis confirmed a positive correlation between soil use and soil permeability. The results showed that soils used for agricultural production have lower permeability compared to soils in forests, meadows, and pastures.

The experiments showing the effect of drip irrigation on yield, evapotranspiration and water productivity of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) were conducted at the experimental field of the Alternative Crops Department, Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, Novi Sad. Irrigation was scheduled on the basis of the water balance method. Daily evapotranspiration (ETd) was computed from the reference evapotranspiration (ETo) and crop coefficient (kc) in May, June, July and August of 0.5, 0.6, 1.1 and 1.0, respectively. ETo was calculated using Hargreaves equation. The irrigation depth was restricted to the soil depth of 0.3 m. In other words, irrigation started when readily available water in the soil layer of 0.3 m was completely depleted by plants. The irrigation rate was 30 mm (30 l m-2) while the amount of water added by irrigation during the season was 140 mm. Basil sensitivity to water stress was determined using a yield response factor (Ky). According to the results, the yield of fresh herb of basil under irrigation (32.015 t ha-1) was higher by 9% compared to non-irrigated, control variant (29.364 t ha-1). Worthy of note, basil essential oil yield was significantly affected by irrigation (35.329/28.766 kg ha-1). The content of essential oil was significantly higher in irrigated (6.45 g kg-1 ) than in non-irrigated variant (5.33 g kg-1) in the first harvest, while no significant difference between irrigated and non-irrigated variants was obtained in the second harvest (6.83 and 6.62 g kg-1 , respectively). Water used on evapotranspiration in irrigation conditions (ETm) was 431 mm and 270 mm in non-irrigated, control variant (ETa). The values of irrigation water use efficiency (Iwue) and evapotranspiration water use efficiency (ETwue) were 1.89 kg m-3 and 1.65 kg m-3 respectively. Ky value (0.22) exhibits all essential characteristics of climate conditions of 2016 rainy year. These preliminary results could be used as a good platform for basil growers in the region, in terms to optimize the use of irrigation water.

The objective of the study, conducted in Vojvodina a northern part of the Serbia Republic, was to analyse the effect of drip irrigation on yield, evapotranspiration and water productivity of watermelon (Cirullus lanatus Thunb.) grown with plasticulture. Irrigation was scheduled on the basis of water balance method. Daily evapotranspiration was computed using the reference evapotranspiration and crop coefficient. The yield of watermelon in irrigation conditions (37,28 t/ha) was significantly higher compared to non irrigated (9,98 t/ha). Water used on evapotranspiration in irrigation conditions was 398 mm and 117 mm on non irrigated variant. The crop yield response factor of 1,04 for the whole growing season reveals that relative yield decrease was nearly equal to the rate of evapotranspiration deficit. The values of irrigation water use efficiency and evapotranspiration water use efficiency were 9,93 kg/m3 and 10,29 kg/m3 respectively. The determined results could be used as a good platform for watermelon growers in the region, in terms of improvement of the optimum utilization of irrigation water.

This study examines the effects of different irrigation regimes on seed yield and yield components of sprinkler-irrigated soya bean [(Glycine max (L.) Merr.] under field conditions in 2006, 2007 and 2008 in Zemun Polje (Srem, Srbija). Four irrigation regimes: 80-85% (T1), 70-75% (T2), 60-65% (T3) of field capacity, and non-irrigated regime (T0) were evaluated each experimental year. The experimental design was a randomised complete block with four replications on a Calcaric Chernozem. Water stress (drought) during growing season in the non-irrigated treatment (T0) decreased plant physiological activity, vegetative growth, and productivity of soya bean. Irrigation treatments significantly (P < 0.01) influenced soya bean seed yield and yield components. The treatment T2 produced higher seed yield than T1 and T3. Irrigation regimes had statistically significant different effects on yield components such as the plant height at harvest, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per plant, mass of pod with seeds per plant, 1,000 seed mass and hectoliter mass of soya bean seeds. Yield reduction was mainly due to a lower number of pods and seeds per plant and lower seed mass. The T1 treatment had the highest plant height of soya bean in all three growing years. The results have shown that under water scarcity, the treatment T3 is an acceptable irrigation strategy to stabilize and increase soya bean yield in Srem and neighboring countries in the region, provided that this practice is not prevented by economic constraints. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. III-43009: Nove tehnologije za monitoring i zaštitu životnog okruženja od štetnih hemijskih supstanci i radijacionog opterećenja i br. TR-31037: Integralni sistemi gajenja ratarskih useva: očuvanje biodiverziteta i plodnosti zemljišta]

The development of irrigation schedules based on water balance implies a study of daily plant water requirements. A properly selected irrigation method is also of most importance. The objective of this study was to find out how surface drip irrigation (SDI) and shallow subsurface drip irrigation (SSDI), as well as different ET-based irrigation scheduling for maize (reference evapotranspiration (ETo), pan evaporation (Eo), and local climatic coefficients (lc)), affect grain yield, water use efficiency (WUE), and yield response factor (Ky) of maize. The field experiments were conducted in Vojvodina, a northern part of the Republic of Serbia, on the calcareous gleyic chernozem soil, using a complete block design in three replicates in 2019–2021. The water balance method was used for irrigation scheduling. The nonirrigated treatment was used as a control. The yield in irrigation conditions was statistically higher as compared with the nonirrigated control variant. Concerning the tested parameters, especially the maize yield, reference evapotranspiration (ETo) should be recommended as the most acceptable method for assessing maize evapotranspiration. Preference should be given to SSDI compared to SDI because the installation of laterals can be performed together with the sowing, which can ensure the uniform and timely emergence of plants. Based on the Ky coefficient of 0.71, it can be concluded that maize is moderately tolerant to water stress in Vojvodina's temperate climate. The results can contribute to precise planning and efficient irrigation of maize in the region, implying high and stable yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil consists of mineral and organic matter, possessing both chemical and physical, mineralogical and biological properties that provide a medium for plant growth and is therefore one of the most important conditions for agricultural production. On the other hand, soil cation exchange capacity (CEC) is a measure of the total capacity of soil to retain exchangeable cations and indicates the negative charge per unit mass of soil. Cation exchange capacity (CEC) is one of the many properties possessed by the soil, but its importance for the soil is multiple, which is particularly reflected in its ability to maintain soil fertility through binding and preventing the loss of cations from the soil due to binding to soil colloids. Cation exchange is a reversible reaction. CEC prevents the loss of nutrients and soil leaching, affects the availability of nutrients for plants, and serves as a basis for determining the required amounts of fertilizers. CEC in soil depends on the content of clay minerals and organic matter. Organic matter is the main source of CEC in sandy soils. Because of the different methods for estimating CEC, it is important to know the intended use of the data. For soil classification purposes, soil CEC is often measured at a standard pH value (pH 7). Since the value of CEC is a dependent variable property of the soil, its value depends on the content of clay minerals, organic matter, fertilization and pH value. Any change in soil properties leads to changes in CEC values, and therefore to changes in soil fertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drip irrigation is gaining importance in mitigating the consequences of water scarcity even in regions with abundant rainfall. The transition from surface to subsurface drip irrigation is accompanied by numerous problems. To overcome these issues, shallow subsurface drip irrigation can be potentially used as an effective drought control tool that brings additional benefits compared to conventional surface drip irrigation techniques. This research investigated the effects of different calculations of daily crop water requirements, reference evapotranspiration (ETo), and pan evaporation (Eo) on the yield and water use efficiency of pepper irrigated with a surface and shallow subsurface drip irrigation system. The experiment was conducted in field conditions in the Vojvodina region, the northern part of Serbia. The irrigation scheduling was based on the water balance approach. The calculated evapotranspiration rate was about 400 mm for the pepper growing period, regardless of the calculation method. The highest yield of pepper and evapotranspiration water use efficiency was obtained on the Eo variant with surface drip irrigation. However, irrigation water use efficiency showed no statistical significance concerning the calculation of evapotranspiration and irrigation type. The results indicated that both calculation methods and irrigation types can be used in pepper production, but priority should be given to pan-evaporation-based calculation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Vojvodina region, drought is an important factor limiting grain yield in maize. The aims of this research were to compare irrigation scheduling in maize (cv. ZP SC 684), and to evaluate grain yield and ear characteristics. A 3-year field experiment was carried out in the Vojvodina region, a northern part of the Republic of Serbia (384 mm of rainfall in the maize-growing period). Maize was subjected to four irrigation levels (rainfed - I0 and supply at 80-85% - I1, 70-75% - I2 and 60-65% - I3 of field capacity). The results indicated a large yearly variability, mainly due to a rainfall event at the flowering, fertilization and grain filling stages. A significant irrigation effect was observed for all the variables under study, with significant differences between the three irrigation treatments. The grain yield ranged between 8.73 and 16.33 t ha-1. The highest grain yield of maize (average of 15.08 t ha-1) was in the I1 treatment, while the non-irrigated (I0) treatment had the lowest yield (average of 10.20 t ha-1), a 35% grain yield reduction. With the decrease of irrigation water, the grain yield of maize decreased. The most distinctive impact the irrigation had on maize yield was during the warm and very dry growth period of the year of 2008. Maize in the Vojvodina region can be cultivated with acceptable yields while saving irrigation water and maximizing resource-use efficiency.

A simple performance-based index was used to test performance among maize cropping systems referring to the food and raw material production, nutrient cycling and greenhouse gases regulation. Those indices are tools for aggregating and simplifying agroecosystem impact on the environment. The data were acquired from a long-term experiment at the Rimski Šančevi experimental station of the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, Novi Sad, Serbia. Observed indicators were compared by using datasets from 2001 to 2010, across five maize cropping systems. Maize continuous cropping resulted with decrease in the utilization of the agroecological potential compared with the fertilized crop rotation. Long term maize-based cropping resulted with differences in soil organic carbon content, soil pH and temporal soil NO3. However, recommended fertilizers application and crop rotation contributed to the overall agroecosystems ability to decrease the anthropogenic pressure. Accordingly, it was found that yield decrease resulted mostly from inability of the cropping systems to utilize agricultural management (tillage, fertilization, etc.) in variable environmental conditions. For the investigated trial the performance based index showed that a 2-year maize cropping had the highest capacity for sustainable maize growing.

Climate change impact on field production may play a great role in strategic planning on soil and water resources management. Therefore, the aim of this work was to find out the impact of climate change on sugar beet yield, irrigation depth variation and water saving practices. AquaCrop model v.4.0 was used for yield and irrigation requirement estimation. Input data for future climatic parameters were obtained from EBU-POM for four scenarios A1B, A2, A1B* and A* (*>CO2), and periods of observation were first (2010-2039); second (2040-2069), and third (2070-2099). Undoubtedly, yield will not be reduced in the first period by any scenario, on the contrary, it might be increased. In the second period, yield reduction was observed in A1B and A2 scenarios, hence without the increment of CO2 in the Vojvodina region, whereas in Central Serbia, yield reduction might be expected even in scenarios of A1B and A2*. Irrigation could ensure yield increment in both regions, provided that an increase is more considerable in Central Serbia, due to lower soil water capacity. Application of optimal irrigation depth yield could be increased by up to 57-97% in Vojvodina and 77-285% in Central Serbia. Lower values are obtained in the first period and the highest in the third period. Applying deficit irrigation, water saving would reduce yield in scenario A2, otherwise to obtain high yield, irrigation depth of 300-500 mm should be ensured in Central Serbia. In the same scenario, 300-420 mm of water for irrigation is needed in Vojvodina, but its water savings could be 80-120 mm, or 20%. In scenario A1B, to obtain high yield, 80 mm could be saved in both regions. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. TR 37005]

Significant area of fertile arable land with good soil properties and available amounts of water, as the most important natural resources, provide Vojvodina with favourable conditions for more intensive irrigated crop production. Also, there have been real requirements for irrigation given the relatively high crop water deficit (100-300 mm), as well as more frequent water shortage (droughts) and uneven precipitation distribution during the vegetation period recently. The majority of water resources include a hydrographical network of the Danube, Tisa and Sava Rivers, smaller natural streams, then the basic (in total length of 930 km) and detail (in total length of 20,000 km) channel network, which allow for water extraction and use for irrigation. The greatest portion of irrigated land (crop and gardens cca 95% and the rest cca 5% are orchards) uses sprinkler systems (80-90%) and water from the natural river flows and channel network (>90%). Irrigated land area covers around 20-30 thousand hectares. Development potential is far greater.

Research was carried out at Rimski Šančevi experiment field of Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops in Novi Sad in the period 1993-2004. The experiment included an irrigated and non-irrigated control treatment. Irrigation water use efficiency (Iwue) and evapotranspiration water use efficiency (ETwue) were determined in order to assess the effectiveness of irrigation on soybean yield. The average yield increases of soybean due to irrigation practice was 0.82 t ha-1, ranging from 2.465 t ha-1 in years with limited precipitation and higher than average seasonal temperatures (2000) to 0 t ha-1 in rainy years (1996, 1997, 1999). Evapotranspiration water use efficiency (ETwue) of soybean ranged from 0.11 kg m-3 to 1.36 kg m-3 with an average value of 0.66 kg m-3, while irrigation water use efficiency (Iwue) varied from 0.11 kg m-3 to 1.04 kg m-3 with an average value of 0.56 kg m-3. Effect of irrigation on yield of soybean and results of both ETwue and Iwue which were similar to those obtained from the literature indicate that irrigation schedule of soybean in the study period was properly adapted to plant water requirements and water-physical soil properties. Determined values of ETwue and Iwue could be used for the planning, design and operation of irrigation systems, as well as for improving the production technology of soybean in the region.

In this study we tested the effects of two planting dates, fertilization with N and lack of fertilization, as well as two different irrigation modes on morphological and phenotypic traits of sugar beet seedlings. Well-developed sugar beet seedlings are thought to be cultivated plants whose requests comply with agroecological conditions of the region. We tested number of plants per ha, root diameter, root fresh weight, number of leaves aboveground fresh weight, aboveground dry matter weight, and root dry matter weight. Analysis of variance of a three-factorial trial in three research years showed significant impact of the first planting date on all observed morphological and phenotypic traits of sugar beet seedlings. N fertilization applied before planting provided justified higher difference when compared to control, regarding root fresh weight, aboveground fresh weight and larger root diameter. Different irrigation modes provided significantly higher number of plants and root fresh weight.

Calculated values of aridity index (AI) were used as a base for the analysis of precipitation and temperature impact on maize yield in Vojvodina. An investigation of maize production with irrigation was carried out at the experiment field of Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops in Novi Sad on calcareous chernozem soil on the loess terrace, in the period 1997-2007. Standardized values of temperatures (T') and precipitation (P') were used for AI calculation. Highly significant correlation (r = 0.86**) was found between AI and average yields of maize in Vojvodina. There were no significant correlations between AI and maize yield obtained in field experiments without irrigation (r = 0.40) and with irrigation (r = -0.24). Low values of correlation coefficient between AI and maize yields obtained in field experiments without irrigation and correlation coefficient values between AI and average yields of maize in Vojvodina indicate that production technology of maize in Vojvodina could be improved. Higher values of maize yield in irrigation conditions than in conditions without irrigation (20% or 2.04 t ha-1) confirm justification of maize production with irrigation under climatic conditions of Vojvodina.

An investigation was carried out at Rimski Šančevi experiment field of Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, Novi Sad on calcareous chernozem soil on the loess terrace, in the period 2000-2007, and included irrigated variant (T1) and non-irrigated i.e. control variant (T0). NS-640, maize hybrid from the FAO maturity group 600, was analyzed. Readily available soil water deficit (RASWD) in the layer of 60 cm in the course of growing season and actual evapotranspiration (ETa) were calculated by the water balance method. Water consumption for potential evapotranspiration (ETm) in individual months and the growing season were calculated by the bioclimatic procedure, using hydrophytothermic indexes. The correlation analysis revealed highly significant dependences of maize yield (Y) on RASWD (r = -0.941) and the amount of precipitation (P) in August (r = 0.931). Statistically significant dependence was also found between Y and RASWD (r = -0.765) and P (r = 0.768) in July and August. The obtained results indicate that maize production in Vojvodina under the rainfed conditions is unreliable, and that it is correlated with weather conditions, especially with the amount and distribution of precipitation. The statistically significant correlation obtained between Y and ETa (r = 0.755) confirms that water supply is the basic prerequisite which allows the other production factors to be realized. Significantly higher maize yields in the T1 variant (13.517 t ha-1) in relation to the T0 variant (11.210 t ha-1) indicate clearly that under the climatic conditions of Vojvodina high and stable yields of maize can be achieved only in irrigation. .

In the agroclimatic conditions of the Vojvodina Province, the application of an economic water regime and modern technology is necessary for stable and intensive potato production. A two-year experiment on calcareous chernozem was carried out to determine how irrigation and different pre-irrigation soil moisture affect potato yield and distribution of tuber fraction in the potato yield. The block-design trial had four replicates and was adapted for sprinkler irrigation conditions. It included four treatments: irrigation with pre-irrigation moisture levels of 60 % of field water capacity (FC), irrigation with pre-irrigation moisture levels of 70 % (FC), irrigation with pre-irrigation moisture levels of 80% (FC), and a non-irrigated control treatment. Irrigation significantly increased the yield of potato, which increased from 37.27 % to 75.86 %. Under irrigation, the percentage of small fractions decreased in favour of the 55 mm one, or fractions above the 45-55 mm range. On average, irrigated treatments produced significantly more tubers than the conditions of natural water supply. .

The known effects of 1000-seed weight on quality traits in sugar beet seeds have led us to investigate the effects of irrigation dates and rates on 1000-seed weight of this crop. Statistically significant differences were observed for both the irrigation and the amount of water applied. 1000-seed weight increased from the first to the third irrigation date. The third irrigation date, 45 days after the flower stalks began to form, produced the largest 1000-seed weight. The largest 1000-seed weight was also observed in the treatment with 45-55 mm of water, and the difference between that and the treatment with 25-30 mm water was statistically significant. .

Field experiment was conducted to study the effects of surface (SDI) and shallow subsurface drip irrigation (SSDI) on potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tuber yield, evapotranspiration, water use efficiency (WUE), and yield response factor (Ky). The experiment was carried out under semiarid climatic conditions in the Vojvodina region in 2020. The trial was established as a block design and adapted to technical specifications of drip irrigation system. In addition, the nonirrigated, control variant was also included in the trial. Irrigation was scheduled on the basis of water balance method. Daily water used on plants evapotranspiration (ETd) was calculated by multiplying reference evapotranspiration (ETo) with crop coefficients (kc). Kc values were 0.5, 0.7, 1.1, 0.9, 0.7 from planting to emergence, early vegetative development, tuber initiation, tuber enlargement and senescence, respectively. The potato processing variety 'Taurus' was used for the experiment. Obtained results indicate a significant effect of irrigation on potato yield compared to the nonirrigated variant (38.33 t ha-1) but differences in the yield using the SDI (58.06 t ha-1) and the SSDI (61.15 t ha-1) were not significant. In the study period, seasonal evapotranspiration in irrigation conditions (ETm) and in rainfed control variant (ETa) was 478 mm and 319 mm respectively. IWUE values were 9.39, 10.85 kg m-3 and 27.64, 29.09 kg m-3 but ETWUE values were 12.40, 14.35 kg m-3 and 12.14, 12.79 kg m-3 for SDI and SSDI respectively. The seasonal yield response factor (Ky) of 1.03 and 1.12 for SDI and SSDI indicates that potato can be grown without irrigation in the temperate climate of Vojvodina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research was to determine the influence of drip fertigation on soil chemical properties and vertical distribution of nutrient in the root zone of three apple orchards planted on soils with different textures (loam, clay loam and sandy loam). The fertigation led to a significant decrease in soil pH, concentration of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and organic carbon (C). Changes of these parameters were more pronounced in sandy loam soil than in loam and clay loam. Fine textured soils (loam and clay loam) had higher accumulation of available forms of P, K, Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu in the surface layer at 0-10 cm depth, compared to sandy loam soil. The results showed that, despite numerous advantages, drip system of fertigation can lead to negative changes of soil properties and that the sandy loam soils are more exposed, but in the same time more suitable for fertigation due to better vertical distribution of nutrients in a soil profile compared to loam and clay loam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil organic carbon (SOC) has a high impact on the sustainability of ecosystems, global environmental processes, soil quality and agriculture. Long-term tillage usually leads to SOC depletion. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of different land uses on water extractable organic carbon (WEOC) fractions and to evaluate the interaction between the WEOC fractions and other soil properties. Using an extraction procedure at 20°C and 80°C, two fractions were obtained: a cold water extractable organic carbon (CWEOC) and a hot water extractable organic carbon (HWEOC). The results suggest that there is a significant impact from different land uses on WEOC. A lower relative contribution of WEOC in SOC and a lower concentration of labile WEOC fractions are contained in arable soil compared to forestlands. Chernozem soil was characterized by a lower relative contribution of WEOC to the SOC and thus higher SOC stability in contrast to Solonetz and Vertisol soils. Both CWEOC and HWEOC are highly associated with SOC in the silt and clay fraction (<53 µm) and were slightly associated with SOC in the macroaggregate classes. The WEOC fractions were highly and positively correlated with the SOC and mean weight diameter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Mitigation of global climate change impact on the agricultural production is the major priorities in future research. Cowpea as a drought tolerant plant is interesting for growing in semi-arid climate of the Vojvodina region. The effect of water stress on yield of cultivated plants can be obtained by calculating the yield response factor (Ky) which represents the ratio between the relative evapotranspiration deficit (1-ETa/ETm) and the relative decline in yield (1-Ya/Ym). The values of Ky ranged from 0.91 to 1.17 for genotype G1 and G2 respectively. Genotype G1, with a value lower than 1 of Ky, shows a good tolerance to water deficit, on the contrary, genotype G2, with a greater Ky than 1, expresses some sensitivity to water stress. Obtained results will be used in breeding programs to develop cowpea cultivars tolerant to stressful conditions, primarily to water stress, as well as more productive in water use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Agricultural Sciences, Belgrade is the property of University of Belgrade, Faculty of Agriculture and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Agriculture & Forestry / Poljoprivreda i šumarstv is the property of University of Montenegro, Biotechnical Faculty and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Calculated values of aridity index (AI) were used as a base for the analysis of precipitation and temperature impact on maize yield in Vojvodina. An investigation of maize production with irrigation was carried out at the experiment field of Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops in Novi Sad on calcareous chernozem soil on the loess terrace, in the period 1997-2007. Standardized values of temperatures (T`) and precipitation (P`) were used for AI calculation. Highly significant correlation (r = 0.86**) was found between AI and average yields of maize in Vojvodina. There were no significant correlations between AI and maize yield obtained in field experiments without irrigation (r = 0.40) and with irrigation (r = -0.24). Low values of correlation coefficient between AI and maize yields obtained in field experiments without irrigation and correlation coefficient values between AI and average yields of maize in Vojvodina indicate that production technology of maize in Vojvodina could be improved. Higher values of maize yield in irrigation conditions than in conditions without irrigation (20% or 2.04 t ha-1) confirm justification of maize production with irrigation under climatic conditions of Vojvodina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study we tested the effects of two planting dates, fertilization with N and lack of fertilization, as well as two different irrigation modes on morphological and phenotypic traits of sugar beet seedlings. Well-developed sugar beet seedlings are thought to be cultivated plants whose requests comply with agroecological conditions of the region. We tested number of plants per ha, root diameter, root fresh weight, number of leaves, aboveground fresh weight, aboveground dry matter weight, and root dry matter weight. Analysis of variance of a trifactorial trial in three research years showed significant impact of the first planting date on all observed morphological and phenotypic traits of sugar beet seedlings. N fertilization applied before planting provided justified higher difference when compared to control, regarding root fresh weight, aboveground fresh weight and larger root diameter. Different irrigation modes provided significantly higher number of plants and root fresh weight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field pea (Pisum sativum L.) has the potential to be a suitable companion crop for the establishment of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), as it is fast growing and is harvested early, and thus reduces the duration of competition and allows light to be transmitted through its canopy to an undersown species more so than other companion crops such as small grains. The aim of this study was to determine the suitability of field pea as a companion crop for red clover, and in particular to determine the effect of pea cultivar and plant population density. The field experiment comprised 2 sowing years, (2004 and 2005), and the first cut in the first full harvest year in 2005 and 2006. The factorial component of the experiment involved 2 pea varieties (Jezero: semi-leafless; Javor: normal leaves with reduced leaflet size) and 3 densities (30, 60, and 90 plants m-2). Two control treatments were also included in the experiment, i.e. red clover grown as pure stand (control I) and red clover with oat as a cover crop (control II). When the field pea had reached the harvestable stage all plots were cut, followed by 2 additional cuts in the sowing year. Yields at the first cut in the following year were also recorded. Forage and protein yields, as well as the weed proportion were measured. On average, control II produced the highest forage yield, followed by pea as the cover crop; the lowest yield was obtained in the pure stand of red clover. Field pea cultivar yields did not differ significantly. The highest average yield was obtained with 90 plants m-2. The first cut comprised the highest proportion of annual yield (50%-69% when field pea was included). Red clover establishment was not adversely affected by competition from peas. As crude protein content did not vary much, crude protein yield followed the same trend as forage yield (r = 0.83). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The known effects of 1000-seed weight on quality traits in sugar beet seeds have led us to investigate the effects of irrigation dates and rates on 1000-seed weight of this crop. Statistically significant differences were observed for both the irrigation and the amount of water applied. 1000-seed weight increased from the first to the third irrigation date. The third irrigation date, 45 days after the flower stalks began to form, produced the largest 1000-seed weight. The largest 1000-seed weight was also observed in the treatment with 45-55 mm of water, and the difference between that and the treatment with 25-30 mm water was statistically significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Field & Vegetable Crops Research / Ratarstvo i povrtarstvo is the property of Institute of Field & Vegetable Crops and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The experiment with effects of different pre-irrigation soil moisture on onion bulb yield and evapotranspiration (ET), produced by seeding, was established at field conditions at the Rimski Šančevi Experiment Field of Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops in Novi Sad. The experiment was conducted in 2005/2007 undersprinkler irrigation conditions on a calcareous chernozem on loess terrace. The experiment included irrigation variants with pre-irrigation soil moisture of 60%, 70% and 80% of FWC (Field Water Capacity), and non-irrigated check control. Two varieties of onion, Alek and Kupusinski jabučar were tested. Onion bulb yield of irrigated variants, on average, (35.498 t ha-1) was statisticaly higher than those in the non-irrigated control (15.551 t ha-1). The higest bulb yield was obtained in the variant with pre-irrigation soil moisture of 60% of FWC (36.651 t ha-1), statisticaly different compared with yield obtained with pre-irrigation soil moisture of 70% of FWC (34.274 t ha-1), but with out differences compared with pre-irrigation soil moisture of 80% of FWC (35.569 t ha-1). The values of soil moisture of 60 and 80% of FWC are the lower limit of optimum soil moisture, or the technical minimum (TM) when onion, produced by seeding, is grown on soil with medium mechanical texture. The quantity of water used for ETP of 482,7-493,8 mm, on average, in the variants of pre-irrigation soil moisture of 60 and 80% of FWC, may be considered as the water requirement of onion, when grown under climatic conditions of the Vojvodina Province. There were no significant differences between two tested varieties. Obtained yield (31.979 t ha-1) in warmer 2006 was statistically different than the yield obtained in rainy and slightly colder 2005 (29.324 t ha-1). There were no significant differences between 2005 and 2007 on the one hand and 2006 and 2007 on the other (30,511 t ha-1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Zbornik Radova - A Periodical of Scientific Research on Field & Vegetable Crops is the property of Institute of Field & Vegetable Crops and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The paper emphasizes the importance of forage sorghum and Sudan grass in animal nutrition. Peculiarities in production technology with respect to utilisation, crop rotation, tillage, fertilisation, time and mode of sowing as well as crop mowing are taken into consideration. Production in irrigation conditions have also been analysed, such as the effect of irrigation on green forage yield, plant water requirements and preirrigation soil moisture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI)-based approach to agricultural drought monitoring (ADM-SPEI approach) combining well-known methods, expert' critical opinions, and local agro-climatic specificities. The proposed approach has been described in detail in three phases. This allows its application in any region and modification according to different agro-climatic conditions. The application of the ADM-SPEI approach has resulted in obtaining a modified SPEI for different crops (agricultural drought SPEI (AD-SPEIcrop)) in the Vojvodina region. In the first phase of the proposed approach, analytical hierarchy process (AHP) was used to obtain an experts' group decision regarding the most suitable method for calculating evapotranspiration for a particular analyzed region. In the second phase, SPEI was modified and adjusted to the conditions in Vojvodina, where ET0 was replaced by ETc. In the validation phase, the results of the application of AD-SPEIcrop were compared to crop yields and well-known indices and evaluated by the experts' feedback. The statistically significant correlations were achieved between AD-SPEIcrop and crop yields. The highest correlations were achieved in the months when the analyzed crops were in the developmental stages when they are most sensitive to drought. The AD-SPEIcrop better correlates to the crop yields compared to SPEI. The comparison of AD-SPEIcrop to the standardized precipitation index (SPI), SPEI, and self-calibrated Palmer drought severity index (SC-PDSI) shows that it can successfully detect dry and wet periods. The results have indicated that the proposed approach can be successfully applied, and AD-SPEIcrop has shown a good performance for agricultural drought monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]