Improvement of the conditions for carrying out seasonal agrotechnical activities in mid-October

In mid-October, the agrometeorological conditions will be determined by unstable weather and temperatures close to the norm for the second ten-day period of October. The significant precipitation during the past period exceeded 40-50 l/m² in many parts of the country (N. selo - 66 l/m², Lovech - 61 l/m², Pleven - 73 l/m², V. Tarnovo - 61 l/m², Svishtov - 51 l/m², Kazanlak - 73 l/m², Kardzhali - 60 l/m², Stara Zagora - 54 l/m², Chirpan - 60 l/m², Karnobat - 63 l/m²), which led to a sharp improvement of soil moisture reserves in the upper soil layers and of the conditions for the initial stages of vegetation of the sown autumn crops. At the beginning of the period, further precipitation is expected and an increase in soil moisture reserves in the 50 cm soil layer. In many places in Western and Central Bulgaria they will reach levels up to and above 75% of field capacity. A positive change in soil moisture levels is also expected in the north-eastern regions of the country, which were the most affected by the prolonged drought. 

In the middle of the period, a substantial decrease in temperatures is forecast, and in the basin fields – critical minimum values for vegetable crops susceptible to frost. The development of the sown autumn crops at the end of the second and the beginning of the third ten-day period will proceed under below-normal thermal conditions. In wheat and barley sown during the first ten-day period of October, the emergence stage will prevail. In the earlier sown winter cereal crops, at the end of September and the beginning of October, leaf formation (1–2 leaves) will be observed.

An improvement in the conditions for carrying out seasonal agrotechnical activities, the most important of which is wheat sowing, is expected at the end of the period. The next seven-day period coincides with the agrotechnical term for sowing winter cereal crops in Southern Bulgaria.

During the third ten-day period of October, in the earlier sown wheat crops, the population density of certain pests should be monitored: common vole, wheat leaf beetle, cereal flies, etc., which cause serious damage to winter cereal crops in the initial stages of their vegetation.

Source: NIMH