Impact of crop site geographic altitude on drought indices of field crops in Hungary

Growth and development of field crops is highly influenced by the water availability of the crop site. In an assessment study at the MATE University, the magnitude of aridity in relation with the geographic location of the crop site has been evaluated. Six field crop species (Sugar beet Beta vulgaris, winter barley Hordeum vulgare, winter wheat Triticum aestivum, maize Zea mays, potato Solanum tuberosum, and alfalfa Medicago sativa) were involved in the research. Data bases of twelve meteorological stations (Békéscsaba, Budapest, Debrecen, Miskolc, Mosonmagyaróvár, Nagykanizsa, Nyíregyháza, Pécs, Siófok, Szeged, Szolnok, Szombathely) representing major geographic areas of Hungary were used in the evaluation. PAI indices of the stations involved were combined with vulnerability indices of the field crops studied. Upon the results of the study cereals proved to be the most tolerant, while potato and maize were highly influenced by aridity x vulnerability interactions. Considerable impact could be seen in the case of alfalfa and sugar beet. The geographic altitude of the crop site was in negative correlation with the magnitude of drought indices.