Serious delays are expected in the conduct of autumn sowing

The widespread, significant precipitation at the end of the first and during the first half of the second ten-day period of October, following the prolonged drought, sharply increased the soil moisture reserves in the upper soil layers and provided moisture for the initial stages of vegetation of the autumn-sown crops. In most parts of the country, precipitation of up to and above 50-60 l/m² has been recorded – amounts exceeding the norms for October (Vratsa - 79 l/m², Lovech - 62 l/m², Pleven – 50 l/m², Sofia – 68 l/m², Blagoevgrad - 58 l/m², Sandanski - 75 l/m², Kardzhali – 77 l/m², Burgas - 75 l/m²). In some locations in Southern Bulgaria, the precipitation reached twice the climatic norms (Pazardzhik - 91 l/m², Plovdiv - 72 l/m²,  Haskovo - 109 l/m²), and in these regions the soil moisture reserves in the 50 cm layer increased to levels above 75 - 80% of field capacity.

In the middle of October, further agriculturally significant precipitation is forecast, which will maintain the high moisture content in the upper soil layers and will additionally delay the implementation of pre-sowing tillage on the areas designated for sowing with winter cereal crops. As a result of the prolonged drought and the subsequent above-normal October precipitation, serious delays are expected in the implementation of autumn sowing. In mid-October, the optimal time frame for wheat sowing in Northern Bulgaria expires. During the following period, the agrotechnical time frame for sowing winter cereal crops in the southern regions of the country will be in progress.

During most days of the period, the development of the few crops of rapeseed and winter cereals sown so far will occur under below-normal thermal conditions. In certain locations in the Danube Plain (Novachene agrometeorological station), for the autumn crops sown at the beginning of October, emergence and initial leaf formation (1-2 leaves) will be observed.

Stabilization of the weather, an increase in temperatures and an improvement of the conditions for completion of the grape harvest of the late wine grape varieties (Mavrud) are expected at the end of the second ten-day period.

Source: NIMH