This summer, we are indeed witnessing unfavorable effects of climate change, mostly in terms of severe drought on crop production.
Selection of sunflower genotypes, as well as other main crops in Serbia, that are able to withstand these adverse high temperatures is one of the main research goals of Climate Crops researchers.
A severe drought has affected a large part of Serbia and part of Vojvodina. Precipitations in June were 49 mm/m² (43 mm less than the long-term average, Palmer’s z-index was -3.9, which indicates the border of extreme drought). Precipitations in July so far were 2 mm/m² (15 mm less than the multi-year average, Palmer’s z index was -3.5, also showing severe drought). In addition to all these facts mentioned above, our new sunflower hybrids showed a very high tolerance to drought. Climate Crops member, Miloš Krstić, visited the micro trials on this location and was pleasantly surprised how our hybrids looked in conditions of severe drought. We all hope for a higher amount of precipitation in the next period.
Dry soil
Sunflower field in bloom
Sunflower field
Sunflower head