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News article27 November 2018

Poor emergence of winter cereals on dry soils

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Dry conditions in large parts of central Europe presented farmers with the dilemma of whether to sow into the dry soil or delay the sowing of winter crops. Both decisions often resulted in under-developed and gappy crop stands, or no emergence at all.
© martinfredy, AdobeStock

According to the November issue of the JRC MARS Crop monitoring in Europe Bulletin, published yesterday, large parts of central Europe still experience dry soil conditions. Strong rainfall deficits hampered field preparations and sowing operations, with consequences on plant emergence and early crop development.

The sowing window for rapeseed is now closed. Germany, eastern Poland and northern Czechia are expected to experience significant reduction in rapeseed area.

Soft wheat can still be (re)sown in some countries, albeit not optimally.

Favourable conditions for sowing and emergence of winter crops prevailed in most parts of Western and Northern Europe.

In large parts of Europe, the warmer and drier than usual weather created near-optimal conditions for the conclusion of the harvesting of maize and sunflowers, which, in many places, ended earlier than usual.

However, hard and dry soil conditions, particularly of loamy and clayey soils, hampered the harvesting of sugar beet and potatoes in the regions affected by persistent rain deficit.

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Further information

Related Content

MARS bulletins - crop monitoring in Europe

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Publication date
27 November 2018