When and how to feed winter crops after their overwintering
The Rosselkhozcenter of Tatarstan prepared a report on the state of winter crops in the republic as of March 3, 2022. Specialists of the branch of the Federal State Budgetary Institution "Rosselkhozcenter" in the Republic of Tatarstan selectively examined winter crops in order to determine the general condition of fields on 3.6 thousand hectares.
According to the agency, depth of snow cover on winter crops has decreased over the week and ranged from 20 to 70 cm, in most areas it exceeds norm (the norm is 25–40 cm). At present, the crops are at rest, the sugar content in winter crops is within the normal range, however, due to the intensification of the respiratory processes in plants, it is decreasing. The condition of winter crops is assessed as good and satisfactory.
According to the institution, in the spring it is important to take measures to care for winter crops, depending on their condition after wintering.
“The final assessment of the condition of crops will be carried out 10-12 days after the steady start of the growing season, when signs of regrowth will be clearly visible: young white roots, light green young leaves,” says Lyubov Zanina.
The optimal time for feeding winter crops in spring is the period when the maximum air temperature exceeds +6 °C, and the average daily temperature is +1 °C. As the soil matures, harrowing is necessary to remove dead leaves and cover moisture. But it is not recommended to harrow on poorly developed, sparse after wintering crops. Here it is necessary to carry out nitrogen fertilization of plants on frozen soil. As for the control of mouse-like rodents, it is recommended to use poisoned bait or other rodenticides against these crop pests.