In March, temperatures will be around and above the climatic norms, and precipitation around and below the norms

During the first half of the first ten-day period, the forecast temperatures will be within ranges that will restrain the development of agricultural crops.

During the second half of the ten-day period, a substantial increase in temperatures is expected and their mean daily values will reach and exceed the biological minimum required for the resumption of vegetative processes in winter cereal crops.

The forecast above-normal temperatures during the second ten-day period of March will stimulate the vegetation of the autumn-sown stands. During this period, some of the wheat and barley stands currently at the third-leaf stage will enter the tillering stage.

The expected maximum temperatures up to and above 20°C will also activate the vegetative processes in a large part of the perennial crops. In fruit crops, the stages of bud swelling and bud burst will proceed in the early-flowering stone fruit species (almond, apricot, peach). In vineyards in the field areas, sap flow will be observed.

The conditions during the period will be suitable for top-dressing of winter crops with nitrogen mineral fertilizers, for carrying out pre-sowing tillage and sowing of early spring crops (vetch, peas, spring barley).

At the beginning of the second ten-day period of March, no precipitation is expected, which will provide an opportunity for timely implementation of preventive pre-bloom spraying in orchards with copper-containing fungicides against the causal agents of blossom blight, peach leaf curl, scab and other pathogens.

During the third ten-day period, the expected temperatures, around and above the climatic norms, will maintain active vegetative processes in agricultural crops. At the end of the month, in the winter cereal crops that have tillered in autumn, an increase in the tillering coefficient will be observed.

In March, in fruit crops, the stages of bud swelling and bud burst will proceed. At the end of the month, in the early-flowering species – almond, apricot and peach – the flower bud stage will be observed, and in some locations in the southern regions – the beginning of flowering. In vineyards in the field areas, sap flow will be observed.

During the month, the forecast minimum temperatures, down to minus 7°C, will pose a risk to fruit crops in the bud stage and flowering stage. 

Precipitation in March will increase soil moisture reserves in the 100 cm soil layer. At the end of February, in most of the country, with the exception of some places in the eastern regions, the level of soil moisture reserves for winter cereal crops in the one-meter layer is low for the season – in parts of the Danubian Plain and the southern regions below 70% of field capacity (FC). Usually, at the end of winter, in years without climatic anomalies, soil moisture reserves in the one-meter layer reach levels up to FC.

In March, more suitable conditions for carrying out pre-sowing tillage of areas designated for sowing with early and medium-early spring crops will occur during the second half of the month. In mid-March, the agrotechnical period (15-20.03) for sowing sunflower in Southern Bulgaria begins, and in the middle of the third ten-day period (25.03–5.04) – in the Danubian Plain.

Source: NIMH