The influence of climate conditions on maize yield in the southern part of Serbia

Abstract

Precipitation and temperatures are of particular importance for maize production. The aim of these studies was to analyze the yields of different maize hybrids in years that were both favorable and unfavorable for their production. Thus, the yield of maize in 2020 and 2021 was analyzed in the area of Southern Serbia (Leskovac). The year 2020 can be considered favorable for the production of maize, primarily due to the amount of precipitation during the vegetation (436 mm) and its proper distribution in the summer months. The year 2021 can be considered unfavorable for the production of maize, which is especially evident by the small amount of precipitation during the growing season (219 mm). The influence of the year, especially the climatic conditions of the year, was very pronounced. Thus, the average yield in 2021 was lower by 36% compared to 2020. The influence of hybrids on yield was pronounced, and differences in yield were statistically very significant. Hybrids with a shorter vegetation period had good yields in the unfavorable (dry) year, all due to the earlier passing of silking, fertilization, and grain formation phases. In years favorable for maize production, such as 2020, hybrids with a longer vegetation period showed their genetic potential for yield and were more dominant than hybrids with a shorter vegetation period. If maize is grown on dry soil, it is recommended to sow more hybrids of different vegetation lengths, for safer production.