Review on Agriculture and Rural Development

Evaluation of beetroot (Beta vulgaris ssp. esculenta var. rubra) varieties for different uses

Mária Takácsné-Hájos — 2025-11-27

Species testing of beet is of great importance because it provides information on the quality parameters of the genotype at the place of cultivation. The results of the measurements are intended to suggest the production of raw material suitable for the intended use (canned lettuce, dried beet, juice, etc.). The genotypes that are most suitable for fresh consumption are those that develop a spherical carrot body. Bonel on chernozem soils and Akela on sandy soils showed the best sweet flavour without an earthy aftertaste. This variety was also characterised by a uniform, intense red internal colour and absence of white rings. Processing cylindrical varieties is advised because the final goods seem better when the slices have the same diameter. It is recommended to cultivate Carillon on sandy soil and Lomako on chalky chernozem soil. Selecting a genotype with a high concentration of colorants and water-soluble solids and no earthy aftertaste is worthwhile for beetroot juice manufacturing. The Bonel and Akela types are suggested for beet production on chalky chernozem soil, whereas Carillon demonstrated good performance on sandy soil. The high dry matter content is a crucial factor in determining the quality of preserved beetroots, allowing them to be kept for an extended period of time without compromising their quality. We discovered that three varieties – Larka, Libero, and Bonel – can be cultivated well for this purpose on calcareous chernozem soil; Libero produced very good results. However, in sandy soil types, the Akela, Carillon, and Lomako varieties – of which Akela was the best – proved to be advantageous.

Measuring microclimate regulation effects of forest- steppe habitat in Central Hungary

Gabriella Hajagos — 2025-11-27

This pilot study focused on the microclimate regulating effects of different vegetation types of forest-steppe habitat. Between April and December 2023, soil moisture at a depth of 10, 40 and 80 cm was measured at 3-3 sample plots alongside two natural forest edges. Between September and November 2023, air temperature and relative air humidity were recorded at 7 predefined vegetation types of sandy forest-steppe habitat (4 plots/type, 7 types/site, 3 sites, 84 plots in total). Relative soil and air humidity data was analysed with descriptive statistics, while one-way ANOVA was run for air temperature data. Our results show that the inner parts of the forests and forest edges were characterised with significantly higher soil humidity in each soil layer, compared to woodless grasslands. Furthermore, more moderate temperature is present in woody vegetation types compared to grasslands outside of forests. Significant minimum and maximum temperature-raising effects were also observed. No significant differences were detected between locations and vegetation types in air humidity, but methodological changes are necessary in the future. During the study period, microclimate of woody vegetation types was more balanced, compared to grasslands outside forests. Plots at woody vegetation types were characterised by a better soil moisture supply and a significant air temperature regulating effect, which gave a more balanced air temperature as the minimum and maximum values were more attenuated but did not influence the seasonal mean value.

Investigation of spring rye cultivation potential in the Southern Great Plain

Vanessza Garabuczi — 2025-11-27

The increasing frequency and severity of drought periods pose a significant challenge to crop production, particularly in the Southern Great Plain region, as a consequence of climate change. The aim of our research was to investigate the potential of spring rye as an alternative crop in this region, with a particular focus on the challenges posed by climate change. The selection of the SM Stefano spring rye variety, bred in Poland, was based not only on its novelty but also on its outstanding adaptability and low input requirements. The field experiment was conducted in 2023 and 2024, with trials set up at three locations in the first year and two locations in the second year. Prior to harvest, plant samples were collected from one meter per replication and subjected to laboratory analysis. This publication examines the effects of different growing sites and years on the yield and yield components of spring rye. The results were processed using statistical analysis methods. Our findings indicate that under certain conditions, spring rye can serve as a viable alternative crop in the region and may even exceed the national average yield of winter rye. Due to its short growing period and low input requirements, it can play a crucial role in sustainable farming and crop diversification.

Poverty reduction mechanisms of agricultural growth review

Thuy Vu Thi — 2025-11-27

Agricultural growth is considered to be more pro-poor than other sectoral growth, as evidenced by numerous empirical studies. However, the process by which it contributes to poverty reduction has been discussed only to a limited extent. By systematically reviewing extant literature, the study synthesizes what are poverty reduction mechanisms of agricultural growth and how the poor are affected under each mechanism. The study finds that agricultural growth can help the poor escape poverty directly by creating more employment opportunities, reducing food prices, increasing wages and indirectly by stimulating other sectoral growth. The findings also suggest that under the same mechanism, the growth may benefit one group of the poor while having no impacts or increase poverty in another group. Benefits of the agricultural growth distributed through different mechanisms are driven by growth techniques and moderated by structural factors. As a result, comprehensive and customized agriculture-based poverty interventions are required if the growth aims to benefit all poor groups in the long run.

Preserving silage quality

Agnes Suli — 2025-11-27

Climate change exerts a fundamental influence on the quality of the forage base and the safety of feed in Hungary, with the negative effects of interrelated climatic factors, in part due to their unpredictability, proving challenging to mitigate in practice. In order to maintain the health status of dairy herds and sustain the expected production level, it is essential to provide silage with a nutrient content adapted to the given lactation stage, high digestibility, proper fermentation quality, and stability after opening. Ensiling is a multi-step process requiring strict technological discipline, and the quality of the ensiled feed is influenced by the species and variety of forage crops, their cultivation techniques, and the ensiling technology itself. After the ensiling process, upon silo opening, aerobic deterioration processes may occur, which can negatively affect even well-fermented forage quality. In light of these factors, there is an increasing need to understand the factors influencing the aerobic deterioration of silage. Monitoring the aerobic stability characteristics of feed is crucial for assessing the quality, shelf life, and feed ability of fermented forages. This summary study reviews the microbiological and closely related biochemical factors influencing aerobic stability, as well as the effects of ensiling technology and environmental parameters on the aerobic deterioration of fermented feed.

Introduction of ReWeeMap project

Zsigmond Zalán Téglásy — 2025-11-27

The ReWeeMap project, co-financed by EIT Food and the European Union, aims to develop an AI-driven, image recognition-based software capable of specifically detecting Datura stramonium (jimsonweed) among selected arable crops using supervised learning. To achieve this, we employed advanced drone technology equipped with multispectral imaging cameras.Field testing and data collection were conducted at two locations in Hungary, focusing on maize, tomato, and pepper crops. Meanwhile, the software development and IT implementation were carried out in Lithuania by BetaVia (formerly ART21). The development was scientificly proved by the University of Szeged. Following nearly one year of data collection and development works, the software now operates with an accuracy exceeding 80%.The project’s long-term objective is continuous improvement, a core principle in AI-based software development. The methodology established for this software is scalable and adaptable to detect other hazardous weed species in various crop types. Consequently, the project envisions not only the commercialization of the software but also its expansion based on the developed framework.Ultimately, this initiative contributes to reducing the food industry’s exposure to contamination by toxic weeds by enabling early-stage detection and mitigation directly at the source of infestation. Our aim is to present the development steps and methodology we have established, with the hope that it will support the broader adoption of digital solutions designed to mitigate threats to the agri-food sector.