Difficult plant protection activities in mid-March

At the beginning of March, precipitation between 20 – 40 l/m2 fell over Western and Central Bulgaria, which led to an increase in soil moisture reserves in the 50 cm and 100 cm layer in agricultural crops.

In mid-March, the agrometeorological conditions will be determined by average daily temperatures around and above the biological minimum of overwintering agricultural crops. Their vegetation processes will proceed at normal rates. The forecast precipitation during the first half of the period, again more significant in amount in Southwestern and Central Bulgaria, will favour the increase of moisture reserves in the one-metre soil layer.

During the period, wheat will be in the mass tillering stage and an increase in the tillering coefficient will be observed. Branching will occur in rapeseed. In fruit species, bud swelling and bud burst will take place, and in some stone fruits (peach, apricot) in Central and Eastern Bulgaria, the flowering stage will also occur. During the period, the agrotechnical time frame for sowing sunflower in Southern Bulgaria begins.

The forecast precipitation in many places in the field areas will hinder the performance of quality soil tillage and the implementation of plant protection activities.

Source NIMH