Late winter wheat sowing in Ukraine increases risk of crop damage during winter

A significant share of Ukraine's winter wheat crops could enter the winter period underdeveloped due to late sowing and unfavorable temperature conditions. According to experts from the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine (NAAS), plants may end autumn vegetation at different growth stages, ranging from initial emergence to tillering. In some fields sown during

A significant share of Ukraine’s winter wheat crops could enter the winter period underdeveloped due to late sowing and unfavorable temperature conditions. According to experts from the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine (NAAS), plants may end autumn vegetation at different growth stages, ranging from initial emergence to tillering. In some fields sown during the first half of November, seeds may not even germinate before winter, creating additional risks for future yields. Winter wheat vegetation usually ends across most of Ukraine in the second or third ten-day period of November. For successful overwintering, plants need at least 45–50 days of growth after emergence to develop 3–5 shoots. However, under low air and soil temperatures, seedlings may emerge only 29–30 days after sowing, while tillering may begin another 26–28 days later. Under these conditions, winter wheat may enter winter with a poorly developed root system and an insufficiently formed tillering ...