Sowing time of winter crops in Belarus and recommendation for optimization in conditions of modern climate change

Assessment of agroclimate conditions of the autumn period on the territory of Belarus under the conditions of modern climate change with the distribution of cumulative temperatures during autumn period for 2000–2020 is presented. The results of analysis of estimates of moisture indicators for the autumn period (precipitation amounts, Selyaninov’s hydrothermal moisture coefficient, and productive moisture reserves in the arable soil layer of 0–20 cm) are provided. Based on literary sources, recent research by Belarusian scientists, data from observation points of the state hydrometeorological network for the phases of development of winter crops (wheat, triticale, rye) in autumn, results of studies on tillering of winter crops depending on the sowing time and weather conditions in the autumn period, an analysis was carried out and criteria for cumulative temperatures were clarified to calculate the optimal sowing time for winter crops on the territory of Belarus. The optimal time for sowing winter grain crops has been calculated for administrative regions and points of the state network of hydrometeorological observations, taking into account the predicted air temperature for September. Recommendations are given for calculating the optimal sowing time for winter crops for points with no hydrometeorological observations, as well as with possible consideration of soil types and field location.