During the third ten-day period of March – risk of frost

At the end of the second and the beginning of the third ten-day period of March, in many places in the field areas of the country conditions were created for the formation of frosts, which caused damage of varying degrees to the blossoms of fruit trees.

During the next seven-day period the agrometeorological conditions will again be determined by dynamic weather. Average daily temperatures above the biological minimum required for the course of vegetation processes in autumn-sown crops are forecast. In wheat and barley the tillering phase will proceed. Only in isolated locations in the southern regions of the country the stem elongation phase will be observed.

According to data from the Dobrudzha Agricultural Institute (DAI) - General Toshevo, from October 2023 to the end of February the total amount of precipitation is 205 liters per sq. m. However, during the first two months of 2024 a total of 22 liters per sq. m fell. At the same time high temperatures above 16°C and in places up to 19.6°C were recorded. Under these conditions wheat usually does not enter dormancy.

In recent years, during the month of April we have been witnessing what have already become common phenomena – sharp cold spells with low temperatures and frosts. Spring cold in combination with drought can have a serious impact on wheat.

In individual fields the presence of septoria leaf blotch is observed, but it is still too early for treatment with fungicides, reported Prof. Ivan Kiryakov, PhD from DAI to Agri.bg. At the end of March a commission formed by the Regional Directorate of Agriculture will inspect the wheat fields in Dobrich region in order to determine the condition of the crops, their development stages and any potential problems to be addressed in the cereal areas.

In permanent crops various phenological phases will occur – from bud swelling and bud break to flower bud, flowering and leafing. During the first days of the period frosts and negative minimum temperatures are forecast, which will pose a risk to fruit crops that are advanced in their development.

The expected precipitation in the second half of the period will limit opportunities for field work. More suitable conditions for carrying out seasonal agrotechnical activities – pre-sowing soil tillage and sowing of sunflower, as well as plant protection spraying in agricultural crops, will be available at the beginning of the period. Treatments must be carried out in calm weather and at wind speed of up to 2-3 m/s. During the period the optimal agrotechnical time frame for sowing sunflower in Northern Bulgaria begins.

Source: NIMH and Agri.bg