The condition of winter crops at the beginning of winter. Research Institute comment

The condition of winter crops at the beginning of winter. Research Institute comment

Winter crops are in the state of deep winter dormancy. The team of farmerscan.com was assured by the director of Institute of Agriculture of the steppe zone of the NAAS of Ukraine Ihor Semeniaka.

During the period from 22nd to 23rd November, the average daily temperature dropped to minus marks and the winter period began. According to the specialist, the condition of crops this year is better than last year.

The analysis of winter crops, which were grown in the central region of Ukraine, showed that 85% of the crops are well-conditioned.

“Currently the situation is normal. On our demonstration fields, the temperature did not fall below -1ºC at the tillering depth. Nowadays there are no reasons to worry about. If the temperature on the snow surface was -5 ºC, and then on the soil surface it was not lower than -3 ºC”, says Ihor Semeniaka.

The specialist does not want to predict the weather conditions this winter, but he says that plants can withstand frost.

“Potentially plants can withstand temperatures up to -11ºC or more at the tillering depth. Approximately 15% crops, which were sown in October, have already sprouted and have two or three leaves, so they can face a harsh winter. In December, the average temperature will stay within 0ºC, +/- 5ºC. For winter crops, it is a comfortable temperature. Within the past three years due to the poor conditions, plant has entered into a state of winter dormancy still in the seedling stage. The crop productivity decreased only on 20%”, says the director of a research institute.

In the future, the state of crops will depend on the temperature, availability and size of snow cover.