April frosts in Ukraine caused damage and blossom drop in apricots, peaches, sweet cherries, pears, and sour cherries, while having no critical impact on winter crops, according to the Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Center.
“A large number of intense frosts were unfavorable for the flowering of fruit crops and perennial plantings. Due to the prolonged drop in temperatures, stone fruits showed signs of blackening and flower drop,” meteorologists noted.
According to experts, Arctic air masses dominated in Ukraine throughout April, leading to cold weather. There was no sustained rise in average daily temperatures above 10°C by the end of the month, and the lag behind the long-term average was 1.5–2 weeks.
Agrometeorological conditions for the rooting and growth of winter crops remained quite favorable, as their frost resistance proved to be higher than the recorded temperatures. Frosts caused almost no damage to winter crops and early spring crops, which were in the mass emergence phase by the end of April. Only in isolated areas was slight yellowing of wheat and barley leaves observed due to the cold.
At the same time, frequent frosts caused the deeper soil layers to cool: at depths of 5 cm and 10 cm, the temperature in some places did not exceed 7–10°C. In regions with a precipitation deficit, the upper soil layers were assessed as slightly moist or dry, which complicated the sowing of late-season heat-loving crops.
The Hydrometeorological Center noted that, thanks to the predominantly moderate temperature regime in the spring, drought conditions developed gradually. This made it possible to maintain the content of productive moisture in the soil, especially in its deeper layers, at a sufficient and optimal level until the end of the month.
