In the current economic conditions the Ukrainian agrarians had to save costs for material-technical resources including fertilizers and crop protecting agents. Due to that the impact of the weather on the spring and winter crop conditions had increased. In the first weeks of June on the most territory of the country there had been hot weather, but at the same time in the Southern oblast of Ukraine there was sufficient volume of precipitations which is unusual for the current period. We interviewed Tatyana Adamenko, Head of Agrometeorology department of Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Center, about the influence of weather factor on the winter and spring crops conditions in the beginning of summer.
- How do you estimate the weather conditions influence in the first three weeks of June on the winter and spring crops conditions in Ukraine?
Despite the period of intensive heat we lived through the impact of high temperatures was not critical, so it is wrong to say that spring crops suffered a lot due to it. The situation with the early grains is rather optimistic. Of course there was local damage, but it was first of all for the plantings of the spring barley which were vulnerable. In the South-Eastern part of the country besides the high temperatures there were hot winds which will cause the mass of thousand of grains fall and yield will also decrease. But fortunately it was not the mass phenomenon – it is worth to note the hot winds were only on the local areas in the region.
In general the situation is favorable because the hot period was not too long and the high temperatures day activity was softened by their intensive decrease at night. So the plants were able to renew their water balance. Owing the fact there were no long periods without precipitation there was no crops stable witting, drying and other as it is often in June. Despite the precipitations were irregular they still increased the moisture content in the air and the certain part of them fall into the soil – so there was no stable drought.
According to our estimation the crop condition is good and satisfactory. The crop potential is average and above average. Grain production to reach 59-60 mln tonnes. Most share of crop will be corn which being the late crop is able to increase and decrease expectations. Still it is favorable: crops are in good condition, the moisture content is sufficient, warmth is close to norm. But if winter and spring crops have already formed the crop, for corn it is very important to face a good weather in July.
- How will the early July hot weather impact the grain yield and quality due to the fastening growth?
Quality should be find everywhere but in the Eastern half of the country where the issues are the subject to discuss because there is no full maturing yet. According to our forecast since June 23 to July 2, the rains have been forecast almost every day. But in fact the situation may become different and a lot of precipitation would cause grain quality worsening.
On the rest territory of Ukraine quality will be fine.
- In some Southern and Central oblasts the soil moisturization in the middle of the month was insufficient: there were 1.5-2 cm cracks in the soil. Is it typical for the current period?
It usually happens annually so there is no worry about that. In principle it is normal for the middle of June period it’s just non-typical for 2015.
- Rains being faced in the second decade of June had significant influenced on the situation, or do you consider it was not sufficient?
Of course it was not sufficient, depending on precipitations’ depth in the region. They were very irregular due to the front move. But still there are no big areas caught by soil drought.
- Rains were mostly useful for plantings, but there were oblasts which faced strong rains and hail. Have you any data on the plantings damage due to the weather conditions?
Hail is local phenomenon so even if it falls in 5-10 km far from the meteorological observing station it may not to register it. Of course there was hail fall. It is wrong to say that any kind of hail has the negative circumstances – its size should be over of 6 mm in diameter so they will bring damage. It was faced by a lot of oblast where we fixed lodging. But the damage depends on the plantings height: the higher they are the more is the damage. This year plantings are not high.
- What are your forecasts on the weather conditions the next week and what impact they will have on crops condition?
We expect rains almost every day in the Eastern part. The temperature is to reach 30-31°С which is rather comfortable for plantings development.
In the Western Ukraine we do not forecast the significant precipitations, but the temperature of 21-26°С will provide normal conditions for all the crops.
Interviewed by Maya Scherbyna
