In early March, the high moisture content in the upper soil layers will hinder the sowing of early spring crops

During the first ten-day period of March, agrometeorological conditions will be determined by above-average temperatures. The forecasted warm weather at the beginning of the month, with maximum values above 15-16°C, will activate vegetative processes in autumn-sown crops and fruit crops in the field regions of the country. During this period, the third leaf stage will prevail in wheat crops in the northwestern regions, while in the eastern and southern regions, the tillering stage will dominate.

In fruit crops, without the danger of critical minimum temperatures, the bud swelling and bud burst stages will occur in early-flowering stone fruit species in the southern regions.

Significant precipitation is not expected during the period. Due to the above-average precipitation in February, soil moisture reserves in the 100cm layer in most field regions have reached levels up to Field Capacity. In parts of the southern regions, where precipitation exceeded the monthly norms two to three times (Sliven -111l/m², St. Zagora - 130l/m², Haskovo - 155l/m², Kardzhali - 150l/m², Elhovo - 121l/m², Chirpan - 118l/m²), winter cereal crops are over-moistened.

In the upcoming period as well, the high moisture content in the upper soil layers in many places in Southern Bulgaria will hinder the top-dressing of autumn-sown crops with nitrogen mineral fertilizers and the carrying out of pre-sowing tillage on areas intended for sowing with early spring crops (vetch, peas, spring barley).

Following the expected brief cooling at the end of the first ten-day period, for most days of the second one, average daily temperatures above the biological minimum necessary for the vegetation of winter cereal crops are forecast.

During the third ten-day period of March, the development of agricultural crops will proceed under temperatures close to climatic norms. By the end of the month, the tillering stage will prevail in wheat. In winter cereal crops sown within the agrotechnical deadline, an increase in the tillering coefficient will be observed.

During March, the following phases will occur in fruit crops: swelling, bud burst of fruit buds, bud formation, and flowering in early-flowering stone fruit species (almond, apricot, peach, cherry). The forecast minimum temperatures during the month, down to minus 7°C, will be critical for fruit trees that have entered the bud formation and flowering phases.

The expected precipitation in March, close to the monthly norms, will maintain good soil moisture reserves for winter cereal crops. Due to the above-average precipitation in February (Shumen -103 l/m², Razgrad -104 l/m², Ruse - 103 l/m², Silistra - 100 l/m², Dobrich - 98 l/m², Haskovo - 155 l/m², Kardzhali - 151 l/m², Sliven -111 l/m², St. Zagora - 130 l/m², Elhovo - 123 l/m², Chirpan - 119 l/m²), moisture reserves in the 100cm soil layer for autumn-sown crops have reached levels close to Field Capacity.

In mid-March, the agrotechnical period (15-20.03) for sunflower sowing in Southern Bulgaria begins, and in the middle of the third ten-day period (25.03–5.04) – in the Danubian Plain.