July 16 2004, 09:10 APK-Inform

Weather and crop situation on July 1-10

According to Ukrainian weather centre, the precipitations, fallen during the period of July 1 to 10, considerably increased the moisture stocks in the soil. The conditions for crops vegetation have improved as well.

However, because of long-lasting deficit of rainfall, soil moisturising under main agricultural crops remained unsatisfactory on many areas of northern regions and in some locations of southern regions. A considerable shortage of precipitations was registered in western, northern and central regions (the actually fallen sum of rainfall made 30 to 70 percent of the norm).

The hot and dry weather of the reviewed days was favourable for ripening of early grains. However, in Dnepropetrovsk, Lugansk, Donetsk and Kharkov Oblasts, where the amount of rainfall was within and above the norm and the weather was predominantly cool, the conditions for ripening of early cereals were little favourable: there was registered development of fungal diseases and intense growth of weeds.

Crops lodging occurred in many locations, affected by strong showers and hailstorms.

Winter grains on the majority of areas were at the stages of milk and wax ripeness; in the southern oblasts and the Crimea - full ripeness (grain harvest was started there).

The development of maize throughout the territory was quite uneven, depending on warmth provision of the particular areas, the varieties grown, the preceding weather conditions, etc. In eastern part of the country the phase development is lagging behind the norm by 7 to 15 days. In southern regions, where the moisture stocks were insufficient, a worsening of the crop condition was registered. According to agro-meteorological calculations, in southern, eastern and some locations of central regions maize grain will start reaching the stage of milk ripeness on the first ten days of August, which is a 5 to 10 day lag from the normal terms.

The state of sunflower plantings is predominantly good.