June 27 2002, 16:02 APK-Inform

Sunflower and corn condition is expected to improve thanks to weather

According to APK-Inform experts, who spoke with Hydro-Meteorological Center of Ukraine, rains are expected in the Southern and Eastern Ukraine, where most of sunflower seed and corn are grown. These rains are likely to replenish subsoil moisture in the areas, where crops often suffer from droughts. Considering the fact that moisture content in these areas is already relatively good and much higher than past year's and that it is warm enough, just as these crops need, average yield forecast for sunflower could be raised significantly from currently projected yield of 1.1 MT per hectare. One should also remember that application of fertilizers and chemicals has also increased in 2002, which will provide additional support to the crop. At the moment it looks as an average yield of 1.2-1.3 is not impossible but APK-Inform is not intended to raise it so sharply before the crop survives through July, which is traditionally the most difficult month for sunflower.