Agrometeorological forecast for the second half of March

During the first days of the period, the agrometeorological conditions will be determined by average daily temperatures close to the norm for the second ten-day period of March and to the biological minimum necessary for the vegetation of wheat, barley, and winter rapeseed. Exceptions will be observed in places in Southern Bulgaria, where higher temperatures are expected.

At the end of the second and the beginning of the third ten-day period, a significant rise in temperatures and an activation of vegetation processes in autumn crops and perennial plantations is expected. In winter cereal crops, the tillering phase will proceed massively. In fruit crops, the bud swelling and bud burst phases will be observed. In the southern regions, the grapevines will undergo the sap flow phase (bleeding).

During the second half of the third ten-day period, a short-term deterioration of thermal conditions is forecast. In places in Northern Bulgaria and the high fields, snowfalls and conditions for a pause in the vegetation of autumn crops cannot be ruled out. At the end of March, a rise in temperatures and an acceleration in the development rates of agricultural crops is expected. In winter cereals, an increase in the tillering coefficient will be observed. Some of the early-flowering species (almond, apricot, peach) will enter the flower bud phases, and in places in the southern regions – also the beginning of the flowering phase.

During the second half of March, critical minimum temperatures for agricultural crops are not forecast. The expected precipitation during the period will increase the soil moisture reserves in the two-meter layer. The precipitation fallen by mid-March, in many places in the country over 35-45 l/m², and in some regions of Northern Bulgaria – over 50 l/m² (Vratsa - 57 l/m², Pleven - 56 l/m², Veliko Tarnovo - 58 l/m², Svishtov - 61 l/m², Ruse - 60 l/m², Shumen - 77 l/m², Razgrad - 55 l/m², Varna - 56 l/m², increased the soil moisture reserves in the one-meter layer. In most field areas, they reached levels up to the field capacity (FC).

Until the end of the second and the beginning of the third ten-day period of March, the high moisture content in the upper soil layers in many places in the country will delay the pre-sowing tillage of areas intended for sowing with medium-early spring crops. For this reason, in parts of Southern Bulgaria, the agrotechnical deadlines for sowing sunflower in the second half of March will be missed.

Conditions for conducting pre-flowering sprays in fruit trees in the lowland areas of the country will be present during the third ten-day period.

Source: NIMH-BAS