Changes of drought indices in relation with the geographic altitude of the crop site

Abstract

The water availability of the crop site is a determining factor regarding plant growth and development. An assessment study has been done at the MATE University, Gödöllő to evaluate the magnitude of aridity in relaion with the geographic location of the crop site. 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 examined in the study. Long term data of twelve meteorological stations (Békéscsaba, Budapest, Debrecen, Miskolc, Mosonmagyaróvár, Nagykanizsa, Nyíregyháza, Pécs, Siófok, Szeged, Szolnok, Szombathely) representing all regions of Hungary were used as a basis of evaluation. PAI indices of each station were processed with vulnerability indices of the field crops studied. The results obtained suggest, that of cereals proved to be the least susceptible, while potato and maize were proved to be highly influenced by aridity x vulnerability interactions. Strong climatic impact could be detected in the case of alfalfa and sugar beet. The geographic altitude of the crop site has shown negative correlation with the magnitude of drought indices.