Belarus warns farmers to delay potato planting amid erratic April weather
Belarusian farmers are being urged to delay potato planting as unpredictable April weather disrupts normal growing conditions. Ekaterina Istomina, head of the Hydrology and Agrometeorology Service at Belhydromet, has warned that soil temperatures remain too low for successful cultivation. April in Belarus has brought extreme weather shifts, from heavy snow to sudden summer-like heat. These fluctuations have affected both winter and spring crops. Winter crops, now in the stem elongation phase, are struggling to absorb nutrients due to the unstable conditions.
The sowing-to-germination period for spring crops has also lengthened, raising concerns about potential yield reductions. At a depth of 10 centimetres, soil temperatures have yet to reach the minimum required for potato planting. Istomina has strongly advised farmers to wait until the ground warms sufficiently before proceeding.
The current weather pattern has forced delays in potato planting and created challenges for winter crop development. Farmers must now monitor soil temperatures closely before resuming planting, as premature sowing could further reduce yields.
