News
08.04.2010
Ukraine. Winter crop conditions.
The winter crops vegetation renewed in most regions between March 21 and 31. In the South the growth renewed even earlier than end March.
The highlight in March 11-31 was the lack of precipitation: only 5-10 mm was registered in most regions (55-80% of normal rate). In the South, strong, dry winds caused rapid soil moisture evaporation, drying the upper layer (2-3 cm). Even soil cracks appeared in winter crops. In these conditions, underdeveloped, non-tillered plants of winter crops are depressed. If the dry weather remains for another 7-10 days from early April, such crops may begin to thin intensively.
In these conditions, well-developed winter crops planted after fallow and fertilized in the fall are in the best conditions. These plants have generated secondary roots and are actively increasing their vegetative mass.
The growth in winter crops were hastened by early-April rains. However, some Southern fields have not received any rain yet. This creates difficulties for the initial growth of weak crops despite sufficient moisture reserves in lower soil layers.
