Probability of occurrence of fungal diseases in mid-May

The forecast temperatures and frequent precipitation during the period will create conditions for infection and development of fungal diseases such as: scab on pome fruit species, shot-hole disease and early brown rot on stone fruits, grey mould on strawberries, downy mildew on grapevine, etc.

In the middle of May, agrometeorological conditions will be determined by unstable weather and temperatures close to the climatic norms for the second ten-day period of May.

The expected precipitation during the period will improve soil moisture reserves in the 50 cm layer and the conditions for the development of autumn-sown crops and the sown spring crops. The precipitation that occurred at the end of the first ten-day period of May was unevenly distributed. In some places in the field areas, precipitation was below 10 l/m², without particular economic significance. Significant amounts, above 25-30 l/m², were measured in parts of the Danubian Plain and in Eastern Bulgaria. In the region of Stara Zagora, torrential rain, over 50 l/m², caused lodging in part of the stands of winter cereal crops.

During the period, leaf formation will occur in sunflower and maize. In winter cereal crops, flowering, fertilization, grain formation and grain filling will take place. At the end of the second ten-day period, some of the barley and wheat stands in the southern regions will enter the beginning of the milk ripeness stage, earlier than the usual dates for the country. Winter oilseed rape is in the reproductive stage of its development.

The forecast temperatures and frequent precipitation during the period will create conditions for infection and development of fungal diseases such as: scab on pome fruit species, shot-hole disease and early brown rot on stone fruits, grey mould on strawberries, downy mildew on grapevine, etc.

During the second ten-day period of May, the ripening stage will be observed in early cherry cultivars. During this period, the cherry fruit fly causes damage in medium-early cultivars. Insecticidal treatment against this pest should be carried out at the beginning of the colouring of cherry fruits.

Source: NIMH