Weather impacts on maize productivity in Croatia with emphasis on 2011 growing season.

Maize is the main field crop in Croatia and it is grown on about 35% of arable land of the country. Maize production in Croatia is characterized by very high variations of annual yields, mainly as a result of less or more favourable weather conditions or water availability. In the last 25-year period (1985-2009) yield variation among years were in range from 3.9 to 8.0 t ha-1. Aim of this study was the evaluation of precipitation and mean air-temperatures regimes in the east, central and north parts of Croatia in the 2011 with aspect of degree their suitability for maize growing. Precipitation quantities in the April-September period in the studied area in 2011 were only 276 mm or 41% lower and air-temperatures 18.7 °C or by 1.7 °C higher in comparison with the long-term mean. Maize crops in the East Croatia were especially exposed to drought stress during August and September, when 21 mm precipitation was recorded or only 20% of long term mean accompanying by 3.3 °C higher air-temperature. Based on precipitation and air-temperature regimes, the 2011 growing season was unfavourable concerning maize requirements and yield reduction was expected.