Effects of fertilization and cropyears on maize (Zea mays L.) yields in different crop rotations

Introduction The maize is an arable crop that is sensitive to environmental conditions and management factors. The level of sustainable maize production, the average yields obtained and the agronomical and economic efficiencies of the production are defined by the interactive system of interconnections between and the adaptation of the biological bases (hybrid), the agroecological conditions and the management system applied. Amongs the ecological conditions the meteorological ones and especially the amount and distribution of precipitation during the growing season are very important (Pepo et al. 2005, Huzsvai and Nagy 2005). It has been proved by the conclusions of numerous domestic and foreign studies that the maize is an auxotroph crop, which makes good use of the nutrient supply present in the soil but requires and positively responds to optimum fertilizer application (Ruzsanyi 1992). The choice and application of appropriate population density are considerable factors influencing yields in maize production (Berzsenyi and Lap 2005, Berzsenyi and Lap 2006). The maize is sensitive to water supply and the efficiency of the irrigation applied is determined by the water supply in the cropyear (Ruzsanyi 1992).