Agrometeorological forecast for mid-March

At the beginning of March, the agrometeorological conditions were determined by unseasonably warm weather with temperatures above the norm. This led to the activation of vegetative processes in winter cereal crops and rapeseed, and to a change in the phenological state of the stands of these crops.

During the first half of the following period, the agrometeorological conditions will continue to be determined by dry weather with high average daily temperatures. In wheat and barley, the third leaf stage, the beginning and mass tillering stages will be observed. In fruit species, bud swelling and bud burst will take place.

During the first days of the period, the conditions will be suitable for performing pre-sowing soil tillage (cultivation, harrowing) on the areas designated for sowing spring crops. In orchards and vineyards, phytosanitary pruning will be carried out (against fire blight in pome fruit and excoriosis in vines). In fruit trees, treatment with a 1% Bordeaux mixture may be applied in order to limit phytopathogens.

During the second half of the period, a significant decrease in temperatures and precipitation is forecast. The conditions will be unsuitable for field work.

At the end of the period, the agrotechnical timeframes for sowing sunflower in Southern Bulgaria will begin.

Source: NIMH