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QWater & irrigationI have no irrigation. How can I keep moisture in the soil?
Southern Dobrudja is the driest region in Bulgaria and production is mostly rain-fed, so water is the limiting factor for yield. The cheapest water is the water already in the soil.
| Measure | How to apply it | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Crop residues as mulch | Chop the straw and leave it on the surface or incorporate it shallowly; do not burn stubble | Less evaporation; protection from wind and raindrop impact |
| Fewer and shallower tillage passes | Combine operations in one pass (good practice 6, "Bomar Trade"); in drought, two disc passes at 8–10 cm instead of ploughing | Soil structure preserved; soil does not turn to dust |
| Early discing after harvest | Disc harrow at 10–12 cm immediately after harvesting early crops | Conserves moisture and triggers weed emergence |
| More humus | Farmyard manure or compost (2–3 t/daa), cover crops and legumes | Every percentage point of humus raises water-holding capacity |
| Drought-tolerant varieties and rotation | Crops with roots at different depths; seeding rate adjusted to moisture (good practice 5) | More stable yields in dry years |
Conservation tillage and crop residues increase available soil moisture by 5–15% in dry periods and give 5–10% higher yields in drought compared with conventional tillage. As a guide: high wheat yields are achieved when autumn rainfall is above 150 mm and spring–summer rainfall is 200–250 mm.
On slopes, till and sow along the contour to slow water run-off. Shelterbelts reduce wind speed and evaporation.
- Burning stubble.
- Deep ploughing in dry weather.
- Many separate passes over the field.
- Bare soil between crops.
Material: Training Module 2, sections 3 and 4; Training Module 1, sections 1.2 and 3; Brochure 1, sections 7 and 10; Literature review (Goranova), section 4.2.4.