The experimental field of PSS Institut Tamiš is unique in that for more than five decades a long-term experiment on the fertilization of four major field crops (wheat, maize, sugar beet, and sunflower) has been conducted. These crops are arranged in a permanent crop rotation system and organized as stationary micro-plots.
Since 1965, permanent plots have been fertilized with identical amounts of nutrients, including 19 variants of different combinations and quantities of NPK fertilizers, along with a control treatment without fertilization. The obtained results provide a clear insight into the nutrient requirements of individual crops.
Another long-term experiment is the maize sowing date trial, conducted since 1968. Maize is sown in micro-plots every five days, starting from March 25 until May 15, and key productivity indicators are monitored. The results obtained over previous decades have contributed significantly to the improvement of maize production technology, and they remain important today for monitoring the impact of climate change on the production characteristics of this crop.
The above-mentioned trials, which are still being conducted after many years, are unique in the Republic of Serbia.
From the very beginning, the experimental field became one of the locations for conducting official trials commissioned by the Ministry of Agriculture for the registration of varieties and hybrids, initially for cereals, maize, and industrial crops, and later also for forage crops. A significant number of trials have also been carried out for projects of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, for the purposes of doctoral studies of institute researchers, and for other research projects.
In recent years, an increasing number of agrotechnical, variety, and pesticide trials have been conducted for many well-known domestic and international companies, which has significantly improved the planning, preparation, implementation, monitoring, and analysis of field experiments.
Micro-trials are conducted using a classical randomized block design, while macro-trials are carried out using the long narrow plot method. At the request of clients, the number of demonstration trials has also increased, where the design and methodology are defined by the client.
By introducing different systems and types of crop production at the experimental field, conditions have been created for the development and implementation of new technologies in agricultural practice. Through these innovation activities, the Institute fulfills its role as a Research and Development Center (RIO 75/09).
Thanks to cooperation with USDA and Penn State, a stationary conservation tillage experiment was established in 2008.
At the end of 2013, electricity was introduced to the experimental field, which enabled the drilling and installation of a modern irrigation well in 2015. The system includes a submersible pump with a capacity of 10 L s⁻¹, a centrifugal sand separator, a mesh filter, a frequency regulator with power up to 10 kW, and an eight-channel control unit for operating electromagnetic valves.
The plots that have been part of the experimental field since its establishment are now equipped with stationary pipelines and irrigation shafts, enabling the implementation of irrigation experiments in field crops, vegetable production, and fruit production.