Climate change, including frequent meteorological extremities affect the fertility of soils to a great extent. In this study we analyzed the effect of drought on the fertility of soils. We used data of the National Pedological and Crop Production Database (NPCPD), which, in a nationwide unique way, contains both crop production and soil data for 5 years (1985–1989).

The seasonal change of maize yield data of the NPCPD database were characterized by a standard annual drought index, the Pálfai Drought Index (PaDI). The soil-specific yield reactions to different seasonal effects were investigated with national scale yield maps together with soil information as a novel approach. The sensitivity of soil fertility to drought were determined by main taxonomical soil types and important soil characteristics (texture, pH-, humus-, CaCO3-content), comparing the drought-free and annual yields, applying statistical analysis. Based on our statistical analysis, the soil varieties were characterized by a seven-stage scale drought sensitivity scale. Using this scale, a sensitivity index map of soil fertility to drought was constructed in national scale. According to our plans, the drought sensitivity indices will be determined to other crops and will be clarified according to the meteorological data of the vegetation periods.

Keywords: soil drought sensitivity index, seasonal effect, soil varieties, maize yield, NPCPD ver3.0 database