Suitable conditions for conducting pre-sowing tillage operations and sowing of sunflower will be present at the end of March

During the forthcoming period, agrometeorological conditions will be determined by temperatures above the climatic norms for the third ten-day period of March.

Unusually for the beginning of spring, the development of winter crops in part of the field regions of the country will take place under unsatisfactory soil moisture reserves in the 50 cm layer – a consequence of below-normal precipitation at the end of winter, above-normal March temperatures and the ongoing active vegetation of the crops. At the end of the second ten-day period of March, the lowest moisture reserves in the 50 cm layer, measured in wheat, were recorded in places in the southern and southeastern regions of the country, below 65% of field capacity. The best moisture reserves, above 85–90% of field capacity, are reported for the winter crops in the northwestern parts of the Danube Plain.

Towards the end of the period, a decrease in temperatures and a change in agrometeorological conditions are expected. The forecast values of the minimum temperatures, in places down to minus 2°C, pose a risk to the blossoms and fruit set of the stone fruit species that are advanced in their development, especially if the low temperatures persist for a longer time.

Further precipitation is expected and the conditions for germination of the sown spring crops will improve.

In wheat, the tillering growth stage will be observed on a mass scale, and in some places in the northeastern regions (Tsarev Brod, Dolni Chiflik) – the beginning of stem elongation. In rapeseed, the formation of branching will be underway.

During most days of the period, conditions will be suitable for performing pre-sowing soil tillage and sowing of sunflower. During the period, the optimal time frame for sunflower sowing in Southern Bulgaria expires. In the middle of the third ten-day period of March, the agrotechnical window for sunflower sowing in the Danube Plain begins (25.03–05.04).

Source: NIMH