2026
Sunflower and corn crops in the Cherkasy region are in satisfactory condition after the recent rainfall. At the same time, a protracted cold spring and late sowing dates have left crop development behind the usual timeline. This was stated in a comment for Kurkul.com by experts of LNZ Group — Vadym Pshenyshnyi and Valentyn Vydybura.
As the expert noted, the recent rains have significantly improved the condition of sunflower and corn crops in the Cherkasy region. Most districts of the oblast received from 35 to 70 mm of precipitation, which allowed the plants to resume normal vegetation. This is expected to have a positive effect on the future harvest.
At the same time, crop development this year is behind the calendar schedule, corn in particular – by 2–3 weeks. The reason was the protracted cold spring, because of which many farms sowed sunflower and corn only in early May.
«That is why this year we will be behind the usual harvesting schedules», — added Vadym Pshenyshnyi.
According to him, the heat and the moisture deficit were critical for the crops.
In some districts there was almost no rainfall for a month and a half. However, the drop in temperature and the rains of recent weeks made it possible to improve the condition of the plants.
At the same time, the weather conditions of the current season were favourable for the development of diseases and pests.
As the experts specified, downy mildew on sunflower was manifested to a considerable extent this year. Cases of sunflower infection with white rust (Albugo), Septoria leaf spot and Alternaria blight are also increasing.
As for pests, the crops are damaged by cutworms and aphids.
«Farmers have also started to enquire about the appearance of Diabrotica (the western corn rootworm — ed.)», — specified Vadym Pshenyshnyi.
The weather conditions also forced farms to revise their crop protection systems. Because of excessive moisture in spring, machinery could not enter the fields for treatments on time, as a result of which the weeds became overgrown. Later the situation was complicated by a prolonged drought.
«This year the adjustment of protection technologies has been quite serious», — summed up Vadym Pshenyshnyi.
Source: kurkul.com
