Agrometeorological forecast for the second ten-day period of October

During the following seven-day period (12-18.10.2018) the agrometeorological conditions will be determined by the forecast dry weather and temperatures above the norm for the second ten-day period of October. In many parts of the country the drought will intensify, which will further delay the pre-sowing tillage of the areas intended for sowing with winter cereal crops and rapeseed. In some of the field regions there is a lack of moisture in the 50 cm soil layer, and in places in Western Bulgaria (agrometeorological station Kyustendil) – also in the 100 cm layer. Exceptions occur in some locations in the southern and southeastern regions (Haskovo, Kardzhali, Stara Zagora, Burgas), where at the beginning of October precipitation of economic significance fell – over 30 l/m2.

Due to the unfavourable conditions for carrying out the seasonal soil tillage, in many parts of the country the agrotechnical deadlines for the sowing of winter rapeseed in September have been missed. At the beginning of the second ten-day period of October the optimal time frame for sowing wheat in Northern Bulgaria expires. In the middle of the month the agrotechnical period for sowing winter cereal crops in Southern Bulgaria begins.

During the next period, in most of the country the soil moisture deficit will delay the initial stages of vegetation of the sown autumn crops. At isolated locations in the Danube Plain (agrometeorological station Bazovets), the crops of wheat sown early, in the third ten-day period of September, are at germination stage and for these crops there is a real risk of desiccation of the seedlings.

During the period, the conditions will be suitable for completing the grape harvest and for harvesting late varieties of fruit trees.

The following period is suitable for planting onions and garlic for green production, and radishes for late autumn production

Source: NIMH