Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 3 — Observational / field trialPeer-reviewed

Climate change-related lessons learned from a long-term field experiment with maize

Klára Pokovai, Hans‐Peter Piepho, Jens Hartung, Tamás Árendás, Peter A Bonis, Eszter Sugár, Roland Hollós, Nándor Fodor

Agronomy for Sustainable Development · 2025

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Summary

This long-term field experiment at Martonvásár, Hungary, synthesises 30 years of maize production data with climate projections and simulation modelling to identify practical adaptation strategies for the Pannonian region under future climatic conditions. The study concludes that earlier sowing and adoption of earlier-maturing hybrids represent feasible adaptations, whereas intensified fertilisation does not promote sustainability. The authors' integration of historical experimental data, climate projections, and process-based modelling offers a methodological template for evidence-based agricultural adaptation planning.

UK applicability

The study's findings on earlier-maturing hybrids and adjusted sowing dates may have limited direct application in the United Kingdom, where growing seasons and climate constraints differ from the Pannonian region. However, the methodology combining long-term field data with climate projections and crop simulation models could inform UK-based maize adaptation research and inform hybrid breeding priorities under projected warming scenarios.

Key measures

Maize grain yield; fertilisation intensity; hybrid maturity class; sowing date; climate variables over 30-year period; response surface statistical modelling; crop simulation model outputs

Outcomes reported

The study analysed 30 years of experimental data on maize production in the Pannonian region to identify climate change impacts and evaluate sowing date and hybrid choice as adaptation strategies. Results identified earlier planting and selection of earlier-maturing hybrids as viable future adaptations, whilst intensified fertilisation was not found to support sustainable development.

Theme
Climate & resilience
Subject
Climate & greenhouse gas mitigation
Study type
Research
Study design
Field trial
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
Hungary
System type
Arable cereals
DOI
10.1007/s13593-025-01013-6
Catalogue ID
SNmok6mh1p-6kh0x4

Topic tags

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