Agroclimatic characterization of Zamosc, Poland using hydrothermal coefficient (HTC)

The hydrothermal coefficient (HTC), which is based on precipitation and temperature, is an important index used for characterizing the agroclimatic condition of a region. In the present study, 47 years (1976-2022) of data on air temperature and precipitation of Zamosc (Poland) were used to compute the hydrothermal coefficient (HTC) in different months of the growing season (April-October). Results revealed that temperature increased while precipitation decreased during the study period as a result the HTC also decreased. The average values of the HTC indicate deteriorating conditions for plant growth and development resulting from decreasing values of this coefficient. There was a clear increase in the number of months in which the value of the HTC≤1.3 coefficient corresponded to dry and extremely dry conditions. Particularly frequently dry and extremely dry conditions occurred in the second half of the growing season from July to October. Climate change is already causing a changing crop structure and the need to implement new technologies towards emerging threats. In order to ensure optimal plant yields, it is particularly important to rationally manage the available water resources.