The Journal "Agriculture and Forestry"
Časopis "Poljoprivreda i šumarstvo"
- Since 1955 -
Year 2008, Volume 54 Issue 1-4
| Year : | 2008 |
| Volume : | 54 |
| Issue : | 1-4 |
| Authors : | Svetimir DRAGOVIC |
| Title : | EFFECT OF IRRIGATION ON FIELD CROPS YIELD UNDER THE VARIABLE AGRO-CLIMATIC CONDITIONS OF SERBIA |
| Abstract : | The main agricultural region of Serbia has favourable soil and climatic conditions for successful crop production. However, rainfall is frequently a limiting factor for high yields and production stability. The amount of rainfall and the distribution vary from one year to another. Rainfall variability is particularly pronounced during the growing season. Droughts of variable intensity, i.e., short or long periods with insufficient rainfall, occur practically every year. The need for irrigation in the agricultural regions is evident because the droughts occur frequently, cover vast expanses, significantly reduce yields and cause extensive damage, in general, to crop production and to agriculture. In the climatic conditions of Serbia, irrigation is a supplementary practice, which favourably affects the yield and the stability of the cultivated crops, especially in dry years. The effects of irrigation and cultural practices vary from one year to another. Annual yield variations are pronounced in favourable years. Yield losses in dry years may range from a few percent to 50%. In years with extremely severe droughts, the losses may be as high as 80–100%. The positive effects of irrigation are evident, to a variable degree, almost every year. In extremely dry years, irrigation can double the yields of field crops or lead to yields that are 3–4 times higher than those in nonirrigated conditions. |
| Keywords : | Irrigation, field crops, climatic conditions, rainfall, water requirements, yield |
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