At the beginning of February, the autumn crops are in good condition

The unusually high temperatures during the last week of January, reaching 17-18°C in many parts of the country, and in certain regions of Northern Bulgaria – up to and above 20°C (Vratsa - 22°C, Pleven - 22°C, Lovech - 22°C, Veliko Tarnovo - 23°C, Silistra - 20°C), led to the resumption of vegetative processes in the autumn-sown crops in part of the field areas of the country. The above-normal January temperatures also disrupted dormancy in some tree species. 

The autumn-sown crops in Dobrudzha are in good overall condition, reports Prof. Dr. Ivan Kiryakov, Head of the Department „Breeding of Cereal and Grain Legume Crops“ at the Dobrudzha Agricultural Institute – General Toshevo. The wheat, depending on the sowing date, is at different stages of its development - some crops are exiting tillering, others are at the beginning of the phase. His advice is to postpone fertilization until the second half of February.

The crops in Southern Bulgaria are also developing normally and are at the tillering stage. No damage from diseases, pests or winterkill of the wheat has been observed, Associate Prof. Dr. Evgeniy Dimitrov from the Institute of Plant Genetic Resources “K. Malkov” in Sadovo shared with us. There, nitrogen top-dressing of wheat usually begins at the beginning of February.

A limiting factor for the development of the crops throughout the country is the moisture in the soil layer, which in the conditions of the southern regions of the country in recent years has been characterized by very low levels, well below the norm.

After the unseasonably warm weather, by the end of the week the agrometeorological conditions will undergo a change, which will be substantial in the second half of the period. The expected cold spell will halt the premature vegetation of the winter cereal crops and will restrain the undesired initial development of the fruit trees.

During the period, critical minimum temperatures for overwintering agricultural crops are not forecast.

More suitable conditions for carrying out soil tillage and pruning in vineyards and orchards will occur at the beginning of the period.

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Source: NIMH and Agri.bg