Agrometeorological forecast for June

At the beginning of June, the development of agricultural crops will proceed under above-normal temperatures and, in many parts of the country, under soil moisture reserves that are unsatisfactory for the season. Following the drought that formed in May, the precipitation that fell at the end of the month was local. In certain places in the far southern regions, intensive rainfall and flooded areas with agricultural crops were recorded, while in parts of the Danubian Plain and in the central and southeastern regions, the May precipitation was insufficient to overcome the soil moisture deficit in spring crops and in part of the winter crops. In these regions, in some places the level of soil moisture reserves in the 50 cm layer in winter cereal crops is low – below 60% of field capacity (agrometeorological stations Băzovec, Knezha, Novachene, Sliven).

In the middle of the first ten-day period of June, the agrometeorological conditions will undergo a change. Until the end of the first and during most days of the second ten-day period, they will be determined by unstable weather and temperatures close to the climatic norms. During this period, precipitation of economic significance is forecast, an improvement of the soil moisture reserves in the 50 cm layer, and of the conditions for the development of agricultural crops. By the end of the first and the beginning of the second ten-day period, wheat will be in the grain-filling stage and the milk ripeness stage, mainly in the crops in the southern regions and in some places in the Danubian Plain (Băzovec). During the interphase period grain filling – milk ripeness, damage to wheat is caused by the larvae of the sunn pest, which requires field inspection of the crops and, when the pest density exceeds the economic threshold of harmfulness (2 larvae/m²), timely treatment.

During the third ten-day period, the development of agricultural crops will proceed at a more accelerated pace, under temperatures around and above the usual for the end of June. During the period, wheat will be predominantly in the ripening stage. At the end of the month, part of the spring crops will enter the reproductive stages of their development: in sunflower the beginning of flowering will be observed, and in early maize hybrids – tasselling and flowering of the tassel. In June, the forecast values of the maximum temperatures, in the range of 34-37°C, will have a negative impact on flowering and fertilization in vegetable crops from the later field production.

The unstable weather during most of the month will create conditions for the development of a number of fungal diseases: late brown rot in later cherry varieties, scab and powdery mildew in fruit trees, downy mildew in vines and vegetable crops. More suitable conditions for carrying out plant protection spraying will occur at the beginning of the first, at the beginning and in the middle of the second, and during the second half of the third ten-day period, during the cooler hours of the day.

In June, the probability of hail remains increased. After a hailstorm, the affected fruit and vegetable crops should be treated with copper-containing fungicides at the first opportunity (preferably within 48 hours after the event).

Source: NIMH