Suitable conditions for completing the harvest of winter cereal crops and for carrying out plant protection spraying

During the period 17–23 July, the vegetation processes in agricultural crops will proceed at a moderate pace at temperatures around the norm. In the first days, mainly in Western Bulgaria and in places in the central regions of the country, intensive precipitation and a temporary improvement of soil moisture and of the conditions for the development of spring crops are forecast. During the past period, no precipitation of agronomic significance was recorded. As a result of the high water consumption of the spring crops, the soil moisture reserves in the root-inhabited layer have decreased.

Over the next seven days, in early maize hybrids sown within the agrotechnical time frame, the milk ripeness stage will be observed. In later hybrids, different stages will occur – leaf formation, tasselling, silking and flowering. In sunflower stands, flowering, formation and filling of the seeds will take place. In fruit species, fruit enlargement and ripening will proceed, and in some early-ripening grapevine varieties, berry colouring will occur.

During the period, in the field areas of the country, with the exception of Western Bulgaria where precipitation is expected in the first days, conditions will be suitable for completing the harvest of winter cereal crops, for carrying out plant protection treatments and soil tillage. In fruit crops, treatments will be directed against the second generation of fruit moths, against scab and late brown rot, and in vineyards – against powdery mildew. Plant protection treatments should be carried out during the cooler hours of the day.

Source: NIMH