During the second half of January, the agrometeorological conditions will undergo a significant change

At the beginning of January, above-normal precipitation was recorded in various parts of the country – 90-100 l/m² (Vidin - 109 l/m², Vratsa - 125 l/m², Dragoman - 128 l/m², Blagoevgrad - 128 l/m², Sandanski - 136 l/m², Haskovo - 101 l/m², Kardzhali - 129 l/m², Shumen - 113 l/m², Varna - 122 l/m², Elhovo - 140 l/m², Karnobat - 120 l/m², Burgas - 153 l/m²). This led to flooded areas with autumn-sown crops.

At the same time, the Dobrudzha Agricultural Institute reports that such abundant and saturating rains have not occurred over the past two years, especially during this time of the year. According to Prof. Ivan Kiryakov, the rains have provided productive moisture for the autumn crops and moisture reserves at a depth of 1 to 1.50 m are already being observed.

During the second half of January, agrometeorological conditions will undergo a substantial change. The expected cooling at the beginning of the period will restore dormancy in winter cereals and rapeseed, including in the southern regions of the country. It will prevent premature, undesirable development in some early-flowering fruit species in the field regions, which was triggered by the unusually high temperatures at the beginning of winter. During the period, the forecast minimum temperatures down to minus 10°C are above the critical thresholds for winter cereals overwintering in the third leaf and tillering stages, as well as for rapeseed stands that managed to form a rosette during their autumn vegetation. In the absence of snow cover and with more prolonged persistence, these values will pose a risk to late-sown wheat and barley stands that ceased vegetation at the initial leaf formation stage (1-2 leaves).

During the period, in areas with low negative temperatures, there will be an increased likelihood of freezing of the surface soil layer in waterlogged autumn-sown crops, which is a precondition for heaving and mechanical damage, especially in poorly rooted, late-sown winter cereals. At the end of the period, a milder spell is forecast and an improvement in the conditions for carrying out pruning in vineyards and orchards.

The following period is suitable for sowing seeds in protected cultivation facilities for growing vegetable seedlings for early field production of vegetables. Sowing dates must be aligned with the duration of the seedling period and the climatic characteristics of the region. The duration of the seedling period for tomatoes is about 80 days, and for pepper and eggplant – 75-85 days. The seedlings must reach the appropriate stage for transplanting into the field after the dates of the usual late spring frosts for the respective region.