Agrometeorological conditions of autumn and early winter 2016 and winter crop conditions in Ukraine

When an optimal window for winter planting campaign arrived (mainly mid-September) more than 50% of agricultural lands have been facing soil drought due to lack of rains during August-September. The situation was unusual, northwestern and central regions saw the most unfavorable weather with precipitation volume at 15-45% of normal level. Precipitations were absent in many regions of Zhytomyr, Kiev, Khmelnytskyi, Ternopol, Cherkassy, Kirovograd oblasts for 40-45 days. Multiyear analysis shows that Cherkassy, Zhytomyr, Kiev oblasts faced the most severe soil drought in 50 years.

Effective rains in southwestern, southern and eastern oblasts in mid-September stopped the drought and created favorable conditions for winter planting in optimal period.

Drought left western and northern oblasts just in late October. Thus, the regions had planting campaign just about half-done as of October 1. When drought gone and sowing was finished (under cool, mainly rainy weather and first frosts) a lack of effective heating limited normal plants development.

Active growing processes stopped mainly on November 10-20, 1.5 weeks later than multiyear average, and in late October in far eastern regions that is equal to average level.

In the third decade of November, only southern oblasts had conditions suitable for slow vegetation.

Under such conditions, winter plantings were low developed when winter started. Such plantings prevailed in Ternopol, Zhytomyr, Kiev, Kirovograd, Cherkassy, Lutsk oblasts were a large portion of grain were in seedling stage.

Plants were mainly in tillering stage in southern and eastern oblasts.

Experts estimate that sufficient soil moistening on fields with sprouts let to avoid sparseness and plants conditions were good. Nevertheless, these plants entered winter without formed tillering zone and did not accumulate enough nutrients for normal frost tolerance. November weather was unfavorable for plants hardening as well.

Low development of winter plants in autumn will cause massive spring tillering bringing less fertile tillers.

Sufficient and optimal soil moistening in late autumn is favorable for winter crops on all areas.

According to agrometeorological survey of winter crops carried out in the second half of November, plantings were at different stages of development. Depending on oblast, 35-50% of plants were in early or active tillering phase that is the most suitable for wintering. Plants on other areas were in phase of third leaf development, roots or sprouts formation. Grain on 8-30% of area just starter to sprout in several oblasts (Zhytomyr, Cherkassy, Vinnitsa).

Plants were mainly scrubby – 6-15 cm, in southern regions – 16-25 cm. Average density of planting was 250-450 plants per 1 sq. m., 500-700 on the best fields.

As of December 14, there were no threats for winter plants. There were 1-5 cm snow cover on fields in northern, western and northwestern regions, snow heights reached 6-17 cm in many regions of Chernigov, Sumy, Kharkov, Lugansk.

The table below shows winter crops conditions as of autumn vegetation end obtained during survey in the second half of November.

Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Center

www.meteo.gov.ua