Sudden cold spell does not surprise foxhardened winter crops - expected to hibernate
The Agricultural Meteorological Institute of the EU Commission (MARS) has researched the hardy wheat hardiness on the basis of the latest climate data. The hitherto mild winter weather has led to virtually no frost resistance being developed in large parts of Western and Central Europe .
Missing minus degrees so far have not stimulated the plants to convert the starch in the plant cells to glucose . Glucose prevents the water in the plant cells from freezing and causing them to burst.
The abruptly occurring frost temperatures of up to -10 degrees Celsius are likely to lead to Auswinterungsschäde n. The sgilt in particular for unprotected situations.
The extent of the damage is estimated to be all the more high as there is no protective blanket of snow in much of western and central Europe.
In Eastern Europe , the winter hardiness of the seeds is estimated to be gradually higher . The development begins with wide areas of Poland with weak to partially trained frost resistance.The height of the snowpack varies greatly from region to region , from zero to less than 10 cm .
Further in the northeast of Russia winter hardiness is reached in full extent. In addition, there is a protective blanket of more than 20 cm , which is sufficient to protect the plants from freezing temperatures up to 40 degrees Celsius.
The exception is the southern part of Russia to the east of the Black Sea, where almost 50% of Russian wheat is grown. The snow cover only reaches 1 to 5 cm . Whether this protection is sufficient, will prove only in the spring months.
The duration of the frosty season without sufficient snow cover will also be decisive for the extent of the damage from the winter out. According to the weather forecasts so far, the freezing temperatures are expected to last until the weekend .Thereafter, a temporary warmer weather phase with lows at just over zero degrees occur. In 14 days , however, is expected to again a cold snap. Hopefully enough snow is falling now.
In the south of Germany, with particular concern for possible hibernation damage, grain sellers are reluctant to sell their grain. Futures with new-crop goods are unlikely to get going.
