The complex long-term tillage experiment (crop rotation × tillage × fertilisation × irrigation × plant density × genotype) at the Látókép Experiment Site was founded by Prof. Dr. János Nagy in 1989 on the suggestion of the academic Béla Győrffy, and is unique in Europe. Our objective was to study the effect of different factors on maize yields. In the experiment, three hybrids with different genotypes were examined. We found that irrigation, tillage, different plant density values and nitrogen doses were closely related to yields of the different genotypes. The obtained results support the need for a strong emphasis on the choice of fertiliser dosage for maize hybrids of different genotypes. The tolerance of hybrids to environmental stress factors can be increased by a combination of different N and constant rate PK treatments, and by irrigation in drought years. Maximum and economically achievable yields in favourable production years, adapted to the nutrient supply capacity of the soil, are closely related to plant density.

Keywords: maize, autumn ploughing, strip tillage, loosening, irrigation, plant density