Ukraine. Winter grain crops resumed growth earlier than usual

The weather on March 11-20 was comparatively warm for this time. The average air temperature on March 11-20 ranged from +2.2 to +8.20С, being 1-80С above normal. In most regions, air temperature on some days plummeted from +13-160С in the daytime to -3-50С at night – this had an adverse impact on spring recovery of plants.

As the average daily air temperature exceeded the point of +50С, winter grain crops resumed growth on March 8-10 that is an early time for this event.

Light precipitation in the form of rain was seen almost all over the country, with its rates totaling at most 1-11 mm over the ten days. No moisture supply shortage is reported now, except for Mykolaiv and Kharkiv regions. However, further persistent dryness and strong winds, which have been seen over the past two weeks, may cause rapid drying of the top soil layer where most of plant roots are located. This will especially affect underdeveloped crops, reports UkrAgroConsult.

This year’s agrometeorological conditions were very favorable for winter crops to start growing. The gradual air temperature increase at the start of the spring growing season is a favorable factor for initial growth of winter crops.