290
200–400 m and the highest place is Gjurište, with an elevation of 856 m above sea
level. It’s a stone’s throw away from the big conglomerates of Skopje, Veles, Štip,
and Kumanovo.
The climate in Ovče Pole valley is characterized by hot and dry summers and
temperately cold winters, with occasional sharp lows. The highest registered temperature in the plain was 44.0 °C and the lowest registered temperature was
−23.0 °C. According to Filipovski et al. (1996), the Republic of North Macedonia
is divided on eight climatic vegetation areas. Based on this classification, the
experimental area belongs to the continental sub-Mediterranean area. Strong
winds from the northwest, north, and southeast are specific for this region and are
present for most of the year. That’s why this area is called “the windiest place on
the Balkans.” The Ovče Pole valley is one of the driest areas in Europe and is
plagued by frequent drought periods. The yearly average of rainfall ranges from
400 to 500 mm/m
2
.
10.2.2 Field Experimental Design, Soil, Climate,
and Agronomic Practice
The investigated area on which the research was conducted is owned by the Faculty
of Agriculture, “Goce Delchev” University of Štip, the Republic of North Macedonia.
The field experiments were set up during two consecutive growing seasons
(2012–2013 and 2013–2014). Randomized block system, with three replications for
each genotype, was used for field research. Each replication plot was 1 m
2
, consisted of 10 rows. The seedling density was calculated on the basis of 500 germinated seeds per m
2
. Standard agronomic practices were applied during the
vegetation period.
Before sowing, agrochemical soil analysis was performed. From the experimental plot were taken samples for soil analysis. The results from analysis showed that
the soil was good supply with readily available phosphorus and total nitrogen, rich
in easily available potassium, low humus content, and low salinity (Table 10.5).
The average air temperature and precipitations differ during the period of cultivation in both experimental years (Table 10.6). The most significant differences in
temperatures were noticed in February: 15.3 °C in the first experimental year and
7.0 °C in the second testing year. Although the amount of precipitation during both
years didn’t differ much, there were more significant differences in the distribution
of precipitation by months.
Table 10.5 Agrochemical analyses of soil samples
Available P 2 O 5
(mg/100 g soil)
Available K 2 O
(mg/100 g soil)
Humus
(%)
Total N
(mg/g) pH
K
(mg/
kg)
P
(mg/
kg)
Fe
(mg/
kg)
Na
(mg/
kg)
24.19
74.1
1.94
0.98
7.65
2.18 827
4.86 1.19
N. Markova Ruzdik et al.
200–400 m and the highest place is Gjurište, with an elevation of 856 m above sea
level. It’s a stone’s throw away from the big conglomerates of Skopje, Veles, Štip,
and Kumanovo.
The climate in Ovče Pole valley is characterized by hot and dry summers and
temperately cold winters, with occasional sharp lows. The highest registered temperature in the plain was 44.0 °C and the lowest registered temperature was
−23.0 °C. According to Filipovski et al. (1996), the Republic of North Macedonia
is divided on eight climatic vegetation areas. Based on this classification, the
experimental area belongs to the continental sub-Mediterranean area. Strong
winds from the northwest, north, and southeast are specific for this region and are
present for most of the year. That’s why this area is called “the windiest place on
the Balkans.” The Ovče Pole valley is one of the driest areas in Europe and is
plagued by frequent drought periods. The yearly average of rainfall ranges from
400 to 500 mm/m
2
.
10.2.2 Field Experimental Design, Soil, Climate,
and Agronomic Practice
The investigated area on which the research was conducted is owned by the Faculty
of Agriculture, “Goce Delchev” University of Štip, the Republic of North Macedonia.
The field experiments were set up during two consecutive growing seasons
(2012–2013 and 2013–2014). Randomized block system, with three replications for
each genotype, was used for field research. Each replication plot was 1 m
2
, consisted of 10 rows. The seedling density was calculated on the basis of 500 germinated seeds per m
2
. Standard agronomic practices were applied during the
vegetation period.
Before sowing, agrochemical soil analysis was performed. From the experimental plot were taken samples for soil analysis. The results from analysis showed that
the soil was good supply with readily available phosphorus and total nitrogen, rich
in easily available potassium, low humus content, and low salinity (Table 10.5).
The average air temperature and precipitations differ during the period of cultivation in both experimental years (Table 10.6). The most significant differences in
temperatures were noticed in February: 15.3 °C in the first experimental year and
7.0 °C in the second testing year. Although the amount of precipitation during both
years didn’t differ much, there were more significant differences in the distribution
of precipitation by months.
Table 10.5 Agrochemical analyses of soil samples
Available P 2 O 5
(mg/100 g soil)
Available K 2 O
(mg/100 g soil)
Humus
(%)
Total N
(mg/g) pH
K
(mg/
kg)
P
(mg/
kg)
Fe
(mg/
kg)
Na
(mg/
kg)
24.19
74.1
1.94
0.98
7.65
2.18 827
4.86 1.19
N. Markova Ruzdik et al.