NATURAL PHENOMENA THAT CAUSE DAMAGE TO FIELD CROPS

Abstract

The article presents an analysis of extreme weather conditions that negatively affect
field crops. The growth and development of winter wheat is closely related to the climatic
conditions of the environment in which it is cultivated. Thus, in the initial phase of
germination, low temperatures are necessary, which are useful for their hardening and
successful overwintering. Therefore, when breeding new varieties, it is necessary to take into
account such an indicator as winter hardiness, which allows tolerating a low temperature at
the tillering node up to – 15 °C in winter. During winter and spring, winter wheat seedlings
damage caused by low temperatures is often mistaken for diseases or pests. A disastrous
phenomenon for overwintering seedlings is snowless winters with prolonged thaws, which
cause vegetative renewal. A rapid air temperature reduction and freezing of the soil can lead
to stressful conditions and death of winter wheat seedlings. Spring frosts are also dangerous
for early spring crops, such as peas. They lead to a decrease in productivity.