January 20 2005, 10:56 APK-Inform

Scientists warn about bad effects of weather onto winter crops

Scientists from the Institute of Farming of the Ukrainian Academy of Agrarian Sciences have been warning about a series of bad effect on winter crops, caused by current weather conditions.

According to Ivan Svydnyuk, the Head of Agricultural Laboratory for Grain and Maize Growing Technologies, a considerable increase in the number of rodents in fields is an alarming signal for agrarians (some fields have up to 90 colonies of rodents).

Gnawing out the crops is not the worst harm that the mice may cause, the scientist said. The most dangerous result might occur during the period of green mass accretion (May-June) when the plants will become short of moisture due to a great number of burrows. Therefore, the farmers have to start combating the vermin right now.

Svydnyuk also informed about a high rate of weed distribution (over 250-300 units per square meter) in fields. This will require great quantity of herbicides. If the cold weather persists too long into the spring, ordinary chemicals might become ineffective and therefore the scientist recommends using compound chemicals.

One more characteristic feature of the current season is an increased density of plantings, which may also contribute to distribution of crop diseases.