At the end of April and beginning of May – unsettled weather with a risk of frost formation and damage to agricultural crops

During the next seven-day period, the vegetation processes of agricultural crops will proceed at moderate rates with average daily temperatures around climatic norms. The economically significant rainfall during the third ten-day period of April in the country's field regions improved conditions for the initial phases of development for maize and sunflower and for the vegetation of winter cereals.

In some places in Plovdiv, Stara Zagora, and Sliven, hailstorms occurred, destroying a large part of the harvest. All rose plantations in the Sliven village of Banya were destroyed by hail, and vineyards were also affected.

During the period for wheat  and barley, the following phases will occur: stem elongation in some of the crops in the western half of the country and the central part of the Danube Plain; transition to heading and heading in some areas of Eastern and Southern Bulgaria – agro-stations Targovishte, Silistra, Karnobat, Kazanlak, Plovdiv, and Pazardzhik. For maize and sunflower, emergence and the start of leaf formation will occur, depending on the sowing dates.

For vines, leaf formation (1-3 leaves) and raceme separation will be observed.

For winter cereals during the stem elongation and heading phases, damage to plants is caused by the common cereal leaf beetle and the harmful grain bug. Crops should also be inspected for the development of powdery mildew.

For fruit species, after flowering, treatments continue against early brown rot in stone fruits, scab, and powdery mildew in pome fruits. For vines, plant protection sprays are aimed at protecting the crop from downy mildew and powdery mildew and from the harmful activity of the yellow vine mite.

The predicted unstable weather with rainfall will temporarily limit the possibilities for conducting agrotechnical activities. At the beginning of the period, in the high plains of Western Bulgaria, there remains a probability of frost formation and damage to agricultural crops.

Source NIMH