In late January, the agrometeorological conditions will be characterized by increased dynamics

At the end of January, the agrometeorological conditions in the country will be increasingly dynamic. In Northwestern Bulgaria, in the high fields and in some places in the Danube Plain, where precipitation including snow is expected at the beginning of the period, the autumn-sown crops will remain in a state of dormancy.

In Eastern Bulgaria and in the southern regions, above-normal temperatures and significant differences in the agrometeorological conditions are forecast. During the second half of the period, in the extreme southern and southeastern regions, where maximum temperatures of up to 10-14°C are expected, the mean daily values will be close to the biological minimum required for the vegetation of winter cereal crops. In Southeastern Bulgaria, in wheat and barley stands that are in the initial stages of their development (emergence, 1-3 leaves), vegetative processes will proceed at a slowed pace.

During the last week of January, the expected widespread, locally significant, precipitation will increase the autumn-winter soil moisture reserves even in the two-meter soil layer. At the end of the second and the beginning of the third ten-day period, after the snowmelt, in winter cereal crops in many regions of the country (agrometeorological stations: Băzovets, Knezha, Nikolaevo, Pavlikeni, Tărgovishte, Silistra, Sofia, Kyustendil, Sandanski, Pazardzhik, Kazanlăk, Karnobat), soil moisture reserves in the one-meter layer reached levels at and above 95% of field capacity (FC). Exceptions occur in some locations in Eastern Bulgaria (agrometeorological stations: Tsarev Brod, Razgrad, Dolni Chiflik, Sliven), where the level of moisture reserves in the 50 and 100 cm layers is the lowest, between 75-85% of FC.

During the period, the forecast frequent precipitation will hinder the implementation of certain agrotechnical activities – top dressing of autumn-sown crops with nitrogen fertilizers, and winter treatment of fruit trees with copper-containing fungicides (Bordeaux mixture, Bordomix).

Source: NIMH