До края на май ни очаква нестable weather and a risk of hail

Until the end of May, agrometeorological conditions will be determined by unstable weather. The precipitation that has fallen over the country so far, with the exception of the far eastern and southern regions, has improved soil moisture reserves in the 50 cm and 100 cm soil layers.

At the beginning of next week, an increase in temperatures and acceleration in crop development are expected. In wheat and barley, the milk ripeness stage will be observed, and in Southeastern Bulgaria (agrometeorological station Karnobat) – the beginning of the ripening stage as well. In spring crops, various stages of leaf formation will take place, in vines – the flowering stage, and in fruit species – the stage of fruit set enlargement.

The meteorological conditions will be conducive to infection and development of fungal diseases – scab in pome fruit species, downy mildew and powdery mildew in vines. The expected stabilization of the weather during the second half of the period will provide an opportunity for the implementation of plant protection measures. For fruit trees, treatments against mites, aphids, fruit moths, and leaf-eating caterpillars are recommended. During the period, winter cereal crops will be damaged by the sunn pest. When pest density exceeds the economic threshold of harmfulness, insecticide treatments are recommended.

During this period, the probability of hailstorms remains, and in case of damage it is advisable to carry out spraying with copper-containing fungicides in order to limit infection through the injured plant tissues.

Source: NIMH