At the end of June – high temperatures and local precipitation

At the end of June, agrometeorological conditions will be determined by warm, and in some places – hot weather. The development of agricultural crops in most of the field areas will proceed under good and very good moisture reserves in the 50 and 100 cm soil layers (over 80–85% of field capacity) as a result of the significant rainfall over the past two weeks, which in some places in Central and Eastern Bulgaria reached up to and over twice the June norms (Veliko Tarnovo – 118 l/m², Ruse – 115 l/m², Razgrad – 108 l/m², Silistra – 116 l/m², Dobrich – 111 l/m², Karnobat – 96 l/m²). Exceptions will occur in some of the far western and southern regions, where below-normal precipitation has been recorded and soil moisture reserves at the beginning of summer are unsatisfactory for spring crops in the 50 cm layer – below 65% of field capacity (agrometeorological stations: Bazovets, Kyustendil, Sandanski, Haskovo, Sliven).

During the period, sunflower will be in the stage of inflorescence formation. At the beginning of July, in crops sown within the agrotechnical time frame, mainly in the southern regions, the onset of the flowering stage will also be observed.

In maize, leaf formation will proceed. In the earlier hybrids, the tasseling and tassel flowering stages will be observed. At the end of June and the beginning of July, maize crops should be inspected for the presence of one of the most important pests – the European corn borer, and when pest density exceeds the economic threshold of harmfulness, timely treatment is imperative.

The forecast high temperatures during the last week of June will limit the development of a number of fungal diseases, with the exception of powdery mildews.

During the next period, wheat will complete its development even in the higher fields.

During the period, local precipitation is again forecast, with an increased probability in Eastern Bulgaria, where the start of the harvesting campaign will be additionally hindered. 

Source: NIMH