The Hindu Business Line : Isolated showers in Kerala midlands

PARTS of the State, mainly in the midlands, continued to experience showers mostly under the influence of local weather disturbances during the four days ending February 6, says the Agromet Bulletin issued by the Met Office, Thiruvananthapuram.

Chief amounts of rainfall in mm are:

Feb. 3: Mancombu - 53.2 and Alappuzha - 2.8

Feb. 4: Cherthala - 4.2; Alappuzha - 2.1 and Thiruvananthapuram Airport - 3.1

Feb. 5: Kanjirappally - 6.6 and Kollam - 3.5

Feb. 6: Kollam - 6; Cherthala - 1.3; and Kochi Airport - 0.4

Mean minimum temperature varied between 22°C and 25°C in various districts. Kottayam recorded the lowest minimum of 21.6°C on February 5 and 6. Mean relative humidity varied between 64 per cent and 82 per cent, mean cloud coverage between one okta and five okta and mean wind speed, two kmph and 10 kmph.

Forecast valid until the morning of February 9 spoke about mainly dry weather for all districts. Outlook for the two subsequent days did not indicate any significant change.

Stage and state of crops: Harvesting operations have commenced on Mundakan paddy fields. The late planted crops and the medium duration varieties are in the dough to maturity stage. Nursery preparation and sowing for Puncha, the third summer crop, is nearing completion in areas with irrigation facilities. Massive spraying operation against the attack of eriophid mite in coconut is continuing. Intercultural operations, plant protection measures and shading of young plants, harvesting and processing operations are also in progress in coconut, pepper, arecanut, nutmeg and cardamom.

Rubber tapping has been stopped due to winter leaf fall in most of the areas. Monthly top dressing and intercultural operations are progressing in banana, tapioca and vegetables. New planting in tapioca and seasonal vegetables are apace in areas with irrigation facilities.

Farm advisory: Paddy fields should be closely watched for sheath blight and sheath rot disease in the flowering stage, in Puncha nurseries and in the direct-sown fields. Control measures against plant hoppers should also be taken. Land preparation can be commenced in paddy fields where harvesting is over and pulses, sesamom and vegetables sown.

Community spraying against mite attack in coconut should be continued. This will also help reduce the incidence of coried bug. Coconut and other garden lands should be irrigated at least once in 10-14 days depending on crop, soil and water availability.

In cashew, a third round of control measures against attack of tea mosquitoes can be continued in consultation with the local Krishi Bhavans. New planting can be continued in banana, tapioca and seasonal vegetables in areas with assured irrigation sources.

Nursery preparation for Puncha, coconut, arecanut and pepper and sowing for the Puncha paddy crop can be carried forward.

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