The Hindu Business Line : Dry weather prevails in Kerala

MAINLY dry weather prevailed in the State during the four days ending March 20 with no appreciable amount of rainfall being reported from anywhere, according to the Agromet Bulletin dated March 21 issued by the Met Office, Thiruvananthapuram.

Mean maximum temperature varied between 33°C and 37°C in various districts, with Vellanikkara in Thrissur continuing to report the highest maximum of 37.8°C (on March 18). Mean minimum temperature varied between 23°C and 26°C, with Kottayam recording the lowest of 22.0°C on March 19.

Mean relative humidity varied between 55 per cent and 73 per cent in various districts, mean cloud coverage between two okta and five okta and mean wind speed between two kmph and 12 kmph.

Forecast valid until the morning of March 23 spoke about the possibility of rain and thundershowers at isolated places in all districts.

Outlook for the two subsequent two days did not indicate any significant change.

Stage and state of crops: In the mundakan paddy, harvesting is continuing in the late planted and medium duration varieties.

Puncha, the third summer crop, has reached the tillering to panicle initiation stage.

Irrigation and plant protection measures are the main activities under way in puncha.

Massive spraying operation is still being continued with in coconut against the widespread attack of Eriophid mite.

Intercultural operations, plant protection measures and shading of young plants, along with harvesting operations and processing, are on in coconut and arecanut.

Grooming of the rooted pepper cuttings is going on. Rubber tapping continued to be affected by the winter leaf fall in most of the areas.

Monthly top dressing and intercultural operations are in progress in banana, tapioca and vegetables. Harvesting of cashew has commenced in some places.

Farm advisory: Paddy fields should be closely watched for leaf folder and rice thrips.

The puncha crop must be irrigated once in six days wherever water scarcity is felt. Control measures should be adopted against brown plant hopper.

The massive/community spraying against mite attack must be continued in coconut.

This will also help bring down the incidence of coried bug in the plantations. Plant protection measures should be adopted against red palm weevil. Stem bleeding is likely to be reported from some areas.

Coconut and other garden land crops must be irrigated at least once in 10-14 days in all possible areas depending on crop, soil and water availability.

Control measures should be taken against stem borer attack in cashew. Based on leaf fall intensity, rubber tapping may be temporarily withheld.

However, tapping may be resumed in intervals of three days. Nursery preparation of coconut, arecanut and pepper may be continued with.

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