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Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv. is the most common monocotyledonous weed in maize crops in Croatia. Crop–weed interference is influenced by weed emergence patterns, and knowledge of the timing of weed emergence is crucial for the development of an efficient integrated weed-management program. Therefore, two-year field experiments were conducted in a maize crop sown in early May in continental Croatia to determine the emergence pattern of E. crus-galli from natural seedbank. In laboratory studies, the estimated base temperature and base water potential for the Croatian ecotype of E. crus-galli were 10.8 °C and −0.97 MPa, respectively. Then, the estimated germination parameters were compared with the values embedded in the AlertInf model from Italy (Veneto) to calibrate this hydrothermal model. The estimated hydrothermal units were around 28 for the onset (10%) and 93 for the middle (50%) emergence of E. crus-galli. Our findings showed that the AlertInf model satisfactorily simulated the emergence of E. crus-galli in maize crop in Croatia (EF = 0.97 in 2019 and 0.98 in 2020), indicating its potential use in other geographical areas

Hillslope hydrology in agricultural landscapes is complex due to a variety of hydropedological processes and field management possibilities. The aim was to test if there are any differences in soil properties and water regime along the hillslope and to compare vineyard rows (vine) with inter-rows (grass) area for those properties. The study determined that there are significant differences in the contents of soil particle fractions, pH, and humus content along the slope (P < 0.0001), with lower confidence level in bulk density (P < 0.05). Differences between row and inter-row space were significant for the pH, humus, and silt content, but for sand and clay content, and bulk density differences were not determined. The study determined differences in soil water content among five slope positions (P < 0.0001), and between row and inter-row vineyard space (all with P < 0.05). Where in the upper slope positions (e. g., P1) soil water content was higher than on lower slope positions. Higher soil water content was observed at higher slope positions, associated with clay content. However, it can be concluded that the retention of moisture on the slope is more influenced by local-scale soil properties (primarily soil texture) and variability of the crop (row/inter-row) than the position on the slope.