We tested six winter barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivars in a small plot field experiment, measuring photosynthesis and other parameters three times during the growing season. Four genotypes—Andoria, Jakubus, Paradies and Zophia—are new, promising varieties with requirements of intensive technology, high yield potential and very good disease resistance. The two popular Hungarian varieties (KG Apavár and KG Puszta) are relatively old but they have good tolerance to extreme ecological conditions and outstanding resistance and winter hardiness. The aim of our research was to test the new varieties’ performance. Several recent studies found close connections among various photosynthetic parameters in barley, and we confirmed that in our research. There were significant differences between the varieties in the assimilation rate—the highest values were measured at the BBCH 47–49 stage (end of booting), except Jakubus and Zophia, where the highest values were at BBCH 73–75 (milk ripe). The cultivars’ response to irradiation change varied, especially at higher photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) levels. In April and May, the plants were in drought stress according to the intercellular CO2 level and the total conductance to carbon dioxide. The differences between the air and leaf temperature were also low, indicating water stress, but the assimilation rate was relatively high (9.07–14.09 µmol m−2 s−1).We found a close connection between normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) values and grain protein content in each of the tested barley cultivars. The correlation was significant, at p = 0.01 level. The protein yield per hectare was determined rather by grain yield than protein content. The relationship between the NDVI values and grain yield was moderate, but NDVI values and protein content are in strong correlation.

A small-plot field experiment was established to examine the sweet potato variety Ásotthalmi 12 in the case of various planting methods on chernozem soil in 2017. The obtained experimental results showed that, by using appropriate agrotechnical solutions, sweet potato can be successfully grown with favourable yields also in Hungary (the marketable tuber yield was between 23.2-50.7 t ha-1). As opposed to bibliographical references, higher yields were obtained in flat planting than in ridge planting at both row spacing values -1.0 m (32.2 t ha-1 and 23.2 t ha-1, respectively) and 0.75 m (50.7 t ha-1 and 39.4 t ha-1). The 0.75 m row spacing was more favourable than 1.0 m. The proportion of non-marketable tubers was also more favourable (lower) in flat planting (9.97-10.9%) than in ridge planting (13.03-15.57%). During the growing season, the SPAD readings of the sweet potato leaves increased between July and August, reaching their peak in mid-August (39.61-50.31). SPAD readings decreased until harvesting (38.89-43.31 on 7th October). Positive correlation was observed between the marketable tuber yield and SPAD readings on 10th July (0.632xx) and 21st July (0,664xx).

There is little direct information about the effects of the abiotic stress factors such as low soil water content on the photosynthesis system of field crops. Some recent publications pay attention to this field of research. Water stress has significant effect on the yield and other agronomic parameters of maize. The aim of our work was to get more data about the relations between water supply and the assimilation parameters. The photosynthetic gas exchange parameters of maize are remarkably improved by nutrient supply in well watered conditions. The water stress through decreased stomatal conductance has significant negative effect on the assimilation parameters of the crops. The obtained results suggest that the water use efficiency of the maize is higher in dry conditions. In well water supply state maize uses up to 300 per cent more water for 1 g CO 2 assimilation.

Abstract:In a long-term experiment, a complex study of the baking quality parameters of four modern winter wheat genotypes (GK Csillag, Mv Csárdás, Mv Toldi, GK Békés) was carried out in fertilizer treatments with increasing dosages (control, N 60 +PK, N 120 +PK) in two different years (2013 and 2014) on chernozem soil in Eastern Hungary. In the control and the N 120 +PK treatments, the protein content ranged within the boundaries of 8. 88-11.46% (in 2013) and 6.73-11.19% (in 2014) and 11.03-13.30% (in 2013) and 10.53-14.29% (in 2014), respectively. The wet gluten content values were 24.88-37.18% (in 2013) and 18.03-23.53% (in 2014) in the control and 35.30-43.16% and 33.28-39.10% in the N 120 +PK treatment. Using Pearson's correlation analysis, a tight correlation was found between fertilization and the protein content (r = 0.571**-0.739**) and between fertilization and the wet gluten content (r = 0.587**-0.859**). A medium correlation was observed between fertilization and the farinographic value (r = 0.275-0.484**) and between fertilization and gluten elasticity (r = 0.322**-0.466**). Fertilization did not have an impact on the falling number (r = -0.014-0.226). Strong correlation was found between the protein and the wet gluten contents (r = 0.817**-0.950**).