At the end of May – precipitation of agricultural importance in the eastern regions of the country

During the past seven-day period, in much of the field areas, with the exception of some locations in Eastern Bulgaria, economically significant precipitation of over 20–25 l/m2 fell. In some regions of Northern Bulgaria – Knezha, Oryahovo, Lom – the amounts exceeded 40 l/m2 and improved soil moisture and conditions for the development of agricultural crops.

At the beginning of the next period, further precipitation is again forecast, more significant in amount in the eastern regions of the country, where an improvement in soil moisture reserves in the 50 cm soil layer is expected. Vegetation processes in winter and spring crops will proceed at normal rates under temperatures around and above the norm and with good moisture supply. In wheat, the phases of flowering, fertilisation and grain formation will occur, and in barley in the southern regions, the beginning of the milk ripeness stage as well. In winter rapeseed, pod and seed formation will take place. In maize and sunflower, the process of leaf formation will continue. In grapevine, mass inflorescence separation will occur. In fruit species, fruit set enlargement will be observed.

Conditions for conducting plant protection spraying against downy mildew in vegetable crops and grapevine, and brown rot in stone fruit species will occur in the middle of the period. Fruit trees affected by hail should be treated with copper-containing fungicides to limit the development of fungal diseases.

Source: NIMH