Rainfall and suitable conditions for planting fruit trees in November

After the prolonged drought, the above-normal October precipitation, which in some places in Northern Bulgaria exceeded 70-80 l/m² (N. selo - 72 l/m², Montana - 71 l/m², Knezha - 80 l/m², Pleven - 94 l/m², Lovech - 79 l/m², Dobrich - 75 l/m²), led to a significant increase in moisture reserves in the upper soil layers and an improvement of the conditions for the progress of the initial phases of vegetation of the sown autumn crops. At the end of October, at the agrometeorological stations Silistra, Knezha, Sofia, Kyustendil, Novachene, Nikolaevo, Pavlikeni, Borima, Kazanlak, Pazardzhik, Plovdiv, in the 50 cm layer for the winter cereal crops levels reached up to and above 75-80% of field capacity. 

In November, the forecast precipitation, around and above the monthly norm, will increase the autumn moisture reserves in the 50 and 100 cm soil layer.

During the first half of November, the development of winter cereal crops and winter oilseed rape will proceed at a moderate pace, at temperatures close to the climatic norms. During this period, in wheat, depending on the sowing dates, different phases will be observed – emergence, third leaf, and tillering in the early sown crops, at the end of September and the beginning of October.

At the end of the second ten-day period a cooling and a substantial change in the agrometeorological conditions is forecast. In the higher fields, where precipitation in the form of snow is not excluded, a cessation of vegetative processes in the autumn crops will be observed.

During the third ten-day period of November, the development of crops in most of the field regions will proceed at a slowed pace, at temperatures close to the biological minimum required for the vegetation of winter cereal crops. Conditions for more active vegetative processes in wheat, barley and winter oilseed rape will be created in the southern and southeastern regions of the country. At the end of November, wheat and barley crops in the third leaf phase will predominate.

This year the drought impeded the timely sowing of winter oilseed rape. For this reason, by the end of November only part of the crops, mainly those sown at the beginning of autumn, will show the beginning of the rosette formation phase (5-6 leaves).     

In November, the forecast minimum temperatures, down to minus 7ºC, are above the critical levels for the autumn crops that are in an initial stage of their development.

More suitable conditions for planting fruit trees will occur during the first half of the month.

Source: NIMH