Phytosanitary status of agricultural crops as of 09.01 Sunflower

During the first days of August, the agrometeorological conditions in Western Bulgaria remained unstable. This further hindered the wheat harvest and worsened the grain quality. By the end of the month, the wheat harvesting had still not concluded in the higher areas of the Kyustendil, Pernik, and Sofia provinces. In mid-August, the atmosphere stabilized, temperatures rose, and in different parts of the country the maximums reached between 33-38° C.

In the second half of August, part of the spring crops completed their development. The harvesting of sunflower and the sowing of rapeseed began. In Southern Bulgaria, in areas with less rainfall during the season, the harvesting of early hybrid corn also started.

SUNFLOWER

Phenophase: "ripening" – "harvesting"
The crop is in very good phytosanitary condition. During the sunflower's vegetation, the soil moisture reserves in most of the country's provinces were within optimal limits. During August, an increased incidence of brown leaf spot (phomopsis) was recorded in the provinces of Vidin, Veliko Tarnovo, and Pernik – from 7 to 15% of the plants were affected. Manifestations of alternaria with weak to moderate incidence were present in the areas of Vidin, Pernik, Targovishte, and Shumen. The humid weather with moderate temperatures favored the development of gray mold on sunflower heads. Individual plants with spots on the heads were found in Pernik province. The incidence reaches up to 5.8% of the plants in Silistra province on an area of 15 thousand decares. In Silistra province, on an area of 15 thousand decares, the incidence reaches up to 5.8% of the plants. The harvesting of the crop has begun.