Time for the harvest of autumn crops

On most days of June, the agrometeorological conditions will be determined by unstable weather. The expected precipitation in the greater part of the arable regions of the country, around the monthly norm, will maintain good levels of soil moisture reserves in the 50 cm and 100 cm layers – around and above 70% of the field capacity (FC). Lower levels of moisture reserves are forecast in Northeastern Bulgaria (Razgrad, Ruse, Silistra, Dobrich) and the southwestern regions (Blagoevgrad), where May precipitation was significantly below the monthly norm.

During the first ten-day period of June, the forecast above-normal temperatures will accelerate the final stages of development of the autumn-sown crops. Oilseed rape will be in the ripening stage. In the winter cereal crops in the higher fields, grain filling and the milk ripeness stage will be taking place. In the arable regions, wheat will be transitioning from milk to dough and dough ripeness. In barley, dough and full ripeness will be observed.

During the second ten-day period, the agrometeorological conditions will be determined by temperatures close to the usual for the period. By mid-June, a mass ripening stage will be observed in wheat.

During the third ten-day period, the forecast above-normal thermal conditions will accelerate the vegetation of agricultural crops. By the end of the month, part of the spring crops will enter the reproductive stage of their development: in the earlier sown sunflower stands, the beginning of flowering will be observed, and in the early maize hybrids – tasseling and flowering of the tassel.

The forecast maximum temperatures in June, in places up to 35-36°C, will have a short-term negative impact on flowering and fertilization in field and vegetable crops.

Frequent precipitation during the first half of the month and the expected hailstorms will maintain a high risk of development of fungal diseases: downy mildew in vineyards and vegetable crops (late blight and Alternaria in tomatoes), scab and late brown rot on fruit in orchards.

More suitable conditions for conducting plant protection spraying will occur at the end of the first, in the middle of the second, and during most days of the third ten-day period of June.

Source: NIMH