Abstract
Agriculture and food production of Hungary are significantly threatened by the intensification and frequency of weather extremes. The large decrease and fluctuation of precipitation is particularly unfavourable. From among the active control methods against climate change, irrigation, selection of varieties/hybrids and the interaction of other important elements of cultivation technology must be highlighted. Quality-oriented precision farming adapts cultivation technology, especially irrigation, to the variety, the given phenophase, but most of all to the market requirements of the product. It is important to study the scientific background of water-saving precision irrigation methods and to develop the methods of introducing irrigation and the methodology of modelling irrigation technology. The scientific research is based on the results of multifactorial long-term field experiments lasting more than 35 years at the University of Debrecen (DE), which is unique and recognized in Europe. Based on the results, the adaptive capacity of different hybrids/varieties and the interactions of each plant production factor are quantified. DE has one of the best-equipped integrated precision tool systems for scientific research, development and innovation, which is also unique in Europe and which is suitable to be used under field circumstances. Scientific results obtained so far form the basis for the development and innovation of new precision cultivation technologies and the integration of a comprehensive database into corporate decision support systems. DE and its strategic partners work together to promote the prevention and mitigation of damage, the widespread use of precision agricultural technologies, and the conscious construction of production capabilities.
The professional programme includes increasing the professional excellence of researchers, as well as achieving high-level results in the field of precision management that can be utilized in practice through effective collaboration. Special emphasis is placed on nurturing talent and utilizing our results in international journals and university curricula. The research performed so far also confirms that economic aspects play a key role in the spread of precision technology, therefore our results contribute to the spread and efficient use of the technology in Hungary.
Within the topic area, hydrodynamic and contaminant propagation model calculations are performed to estimate the amount of contaminants from different fertilizers applied to the area into the groundwater through the unsaturated zone. Research aimed on the examination of soil structure, anthropogenic WRB classification stamps and the organic C content of the topsoil will be extended to the area of the micro-regions. Quality-related issues of irrigation water are also examined. The tools for this are the establishment of an online water quality monitoring system, data processing, monitoring of changing water quality parameters and analysis of changes in biological indicators of irrigation water (algal plankton, zooplankton, fish), partly in the Látóképi reservoir and partly in the Upper Tisza region.
The climatic adaptation of cultivated plants is influenced by several endogenous (biological-genetic) and exogenous (ecological, agro-technical) factors. In this respect, water movement in the crop production area, which takes place partly in the plant-atmosphere and partly in the soil-plant relation, is of particular importance. In the framework of the TKP, water movement of the soils of crops are examined based partly on the existing database and partly on the measurement results of the given crop year, as the changes in water circulation determine the photosynthetic capacity of the plant stocks and the formed phytomass mass, resulting in changes in yield and quality. The studies cover the determination of the yield and water utilization of different genotypes of plant varieties and hybrids under different agro-technical conditions (crop rotation, nutrient supply).
The aim is to study the changes of the soil-plant system in a complex system, in addition to the quantification of the modifying effect of the applied crop rotation. Furthermore, it is justified to develop and improve tillage, land use, soil improvement and irrigation procedures and technologies in which the available natural resources can be used most efficiently with the least expenditure, while at the same time fulfilling the environmental and nature conservation obligations related to the site.
The frequency and severity of extreme situations (drought, inland water) have increased, which underpins the importance of examining and evaluating the relationship between water scarcity and food security. It is planned to evaluate the spatial and temporal correlations of the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the interrelated meteorological and water circulation factors influencing food safety in the catchment area of the Tisza River at regional and farm level. The study areas can be connected to the Trans-Tisza region, which is an area significantly affected by drought and inland water and where the research site has extensive references. GIS and non-invasive spectral modelling solutions are widely used.
Hungary