Warm and dry weather is expected at the end of April and the beginning of May

At the end of April and the beginning of May, the development of agricultural crops will proceed under above-normal temperatures, and in some areas of the central part of the Danubian Plain and in the southern regions of the country – also under unsatisfactory moisture reserves in the 50 cm soil layer. As a result of the high temperatures in April, below-normal precipitation, and the accelerated vegetation of the crops, the level of soil moisture reserves has significantly decreased, in places below 65% of field capacity.

Wheat and barley in most of the field regions will enter the heading stage. In some places in Southern Bulgaria, flowering will also be observed in part of the stands.

Winter oilseed rape will predominantly be in the flowering stage. In the sown stands of sunflower and maize, emergence and the initial stage of leaf formation will be observed. During this period, the grey corn weevil causes serious damage to maize and sunflower. When the pest density exceeds the economic threshold of harmfulness (in the emergence stage, ETH > 2 adults per m2), treatment is imperative.

During the period, in vineyards the separation of the inflorescence will be observed. In this phase, the harmful activity of one of the most dangerous pests occurs – the European grapevine moth. The larvae of the first generation of the moth damage the inflorescences, which, at increased numbers (ETH > 6-8 larvae per 100 inflorescences), requires timely treatment. More suitable conditions for carrying out plant protection spraying will occur in the middle of the period.

At the end of April and the beginning of May, no critical minimum temperatures for agricultural crops are forecast.

Source: NIMH