Аgrometeorological forecast for August 2016

A decrease in temperatures and normalization of thermal conditions is expected in the middle of the first ten-day period. During the ten-day period in Western Bulgaria precipitation is forecast and an improvement of the conditions for the development of agricultural crops.

In August, the development of agricultural crops will proceed at temperatures around and above the climatic norms, and in a large part of the country – under conditions of soil moisture deficit. At the end of July, the soil moisture reserves in the 50 and 100 cm layer in spring crops, except in some places in the western regions, were scarce – below 50–60% of field capacity.

At the beginning of August, the forecast dry and hot weather, in places with extremely high maximum temperatures up to 38–39°C, will disrupt the normal course of physiological processes in spring crops and will have a negative impact on flowering and fertilization in late maize hybrids and vegetable crops.

A decrease in temperatures and normalization of thermal conditions is expected in the middle of the first ten-day period. During the ten-day period in Western Bulgaria precipitation is forecast and an improvement of the conditions for the development of agricultural crops. In the eastern and southern regions the soil moisture deficit will deepen, which will require the application of increased irrigation rates in late spring crops.

During the first ten-day period of August, the milk maturity stage and the transition from milk to wax maturity will take place in early maize hybrids. In sunflower, in some places in the Danube Plain and in the southern regions of the country, the beginning of the ripening stage will be observed.

In the second half of August, part of the late field crops will complete their development. In sunflower, mass technical maturity will be observed, and in soybean – the ripening stage. At the end of the month, wax maturity will predominate in medium-late maize hybrids. In cotton, the beginning of boll opening will be observed.

During the third ten-day period of August, a change in agrometeorological conditions is expected. An increased probability of precipitation is forecast, as well as an improvement of the water status in the upper soil layers, which is of great importance for higher-quality deep ploughing and pre-sowing tillage of the areas designated for sowing with winter oilseed rape. At the end of August, the agrotechnical period for sowing oilseed rape begins.

Source: NIMH-BAS