The University of Debrecen provides outstanding conditions for the development of “Smart Weather for Precision Agriculture” programs.

The reliability of research is provided by the Polyfactoral Long-term Field Experiments of Debrecen (hybrid x fertilisation x plant density x tillage x irrigation) established in 1983. Within this research program, it is possible to examine various crop cultures, cultivars and hybrids under changing natural, environmental and weather circumstances, as well as in different production technological alternatives.

According to our research results, the length of the generative phase is in correlation with the maximum water stock of the maize grain. Favourable water supply results in longer and more intensive dry matter incorporation in the maize grain. Water, as a component of the maize grain, has a significant effect on its physiological processes and the nutritional value of the grain. The active physiological processes prevail in the grain filling period and, following physiological maturity, the physical drying processes are active. Following the physiological maturity, weather factors (temperature, relative moisture content, wind speed) show close correlation with water loss rate. The knowledge of the genetic parameters of maize hybrids and the microclimatic values of the population is necessary to more accurately determine the date of harvesting and to achieve the set utilisation purpose (nutritional value, grain moisture).