The Hindu Business Line : Paddy crop in `milky' stage

"NO RAIN" is the refrain of the first Agromet Advisory issued by the Met Office consequent to the formal announcement of withdrawal of monsoon year 2003.

The section concerning recorded rain drawing a blank, the contents of the bi-weekly advisory represented a `drained out' version of the `monsoon-fed' bulletins that used to be issued earlier.

The latest Agromet Advisory dated January 12 said dry weather prevailed over the State during the four days ending the previous day.

Mean minimum temperature varied between 19 degree C and 23 degree C in various districts. The lowest minimum of 17.2 degree C was recorded at the Cochin International Airport on January 10.

Mean relative humidity varied between 43 per cent and 71 per cent, mean cloud coverage between 1 okta and 5 okta and mean wind speed, 2 kmph and 13 kmph.

Forecast valid till January 14 spoke about mainly dry weather over the State. The outlook for the two subsequent days did not indicate any significant change.

State and stage of crops: The paddy crop was in now in the flowering to `milky' stage. Plant protection measures were being undertaken in the fields. Irrigation operations wee in progress in almost all garden crops, wherever the required facilities were available. Mulching has also been taken up in some areas. In spices, harvesting and processing have just about started.

Three-day advisory: In rice fields, spraying operations may be persisted with, to contain rice bug infestation. Mercaptothion at 2 ml/litre of water may be tried out for the purpose. Coconut trees can do with mulching of their basins using coconut husks, crop wastes or dry leaves. Need-based spraying may be resorted to in cashew gardens to guard against severe infestation of tea mosquitoes. New planting, weeding, top dressing and irrigation operations can be undertaken in seasonal vegetables.