Impact of Drought on Yields of Field Crops Grown under Different Agroecological Conditions in Croatia

Abstract

The research goal was to investigate the impact of drought on the yields of some field crops on three different locations in two different hydrological years (2003 and 2005). Research results show that yield quantity depends on the amount and distribution of precipitation. Yield decreases are higher in case of more severe droughts, and vice versa. 
 With sufficient water in the soil in the dry 2003, it possible to increase crop yields from 98.1 % to 129.5 % in the Gospić region, from 44.9 % to 72.8 % in the Našice region and from to in the Virovitica region. In the hydrologically more favourable 2005, yields were increased from 18.6% to 42.2% in the Gospić region, from 16.1 % to 21.9 % in the Našice region and from to in the Virovitica region. 
 Higher and safer yields in the studied regions can be achieved by compensating soil water deficit in all crop development stages, which requires construction of adequate irrigation systems.