Agrometeorological conditions are increasingly dynamic in March

In mid-March, temperatures were relatively high for the season, with maximum values in some areas reaching up to 25°C, which accelerated the rate of development of autumn-sown crops and perennial plantations.

At the end of the second ten-day period, the tillering stage will be in progress in the winter cereal crops. In some locations in the southern regions, wheat and barley will enter, earlier than the usual dates, the beginning of the stem elongation stage.

By the end of March, the agrometeorological conditions will undergo a change, significant in Northern Bulgaria. A decrease in temperatures is expected, with mean daily values at the end of the period in most of the field areas around and below the biological minimum required for the vegetation of winter cereal crops. At the beginning of the third ten-day period of March, negative temperatures, snowfall and a risk of additional frost damage to fruit trees advanced in their development are forecast.

The low temperatures at the beginning of March caused damage to almonds and apricots in some places in Southern Bulgaria, which had prematurely entered the flower bud and flowering stages.

The significant precipitation that occurred during the first half of March, which in some places in Northern Bulgaria and the high fields exceeded the monthly norms (Vidin - 53 l/m², Vratsa - 49 l/m², Montana - 48 l/m², Lom - 57 l/m², Knezha - 62 l/m², Pleven - 51 l/m², Svishtov - 53 l/m²), increased the water reserves, but caused overmoistening of the upper soil layers. The expected precipitation during the next period will further delay the pre-sowing tillage of the areas designated for sowing with early and medium-early spring crops. Delays in sunflower sowing are expected. The agrotechnical period for sunflower sowing in Southern Bulgaria is during the second half of March.

Source: NIMH