The Hindu Business Line : Lull in wet weather

A LULL in rain activity in Kerala carried over from mid-week last week (ending May 7) has continued to largely hold, the trough of low pressure over the Andaman and Nicobar islands notwithstanding.

The seasonal (March 1-May 11) `excess' summer rainfall record for individual districts has been slightly dented in the bargain, with only seven making the grade, according to the Agromet Bulletin dated May 12 issued by the Met Office, Thiruvananthapuram.

Four others clung to the `normal', while two (Kasaragod and Malappuram) were categorised under the `deficient' and the remaining one (Kozhikode) was under `scanty'.

Chief amounts of rainfall in cm are (May 9-11):

May 9: Devikolam - 3 and Munnar - 1

May 11: Pattambi - 1

Mean maximum temperature varied between 32°C and 36°C in various districts, with Kannur recording the highest maximum of 36.7°C on May 11.

The maximum temperature was 3°C above normal in Kozhikode on May 10 and in Alappuzha district on May 11.

Mean relative humidity varied between 65 per cent and 77 per cent, mean cloud coverage at 4-6 okta and mean wind speed 2-10 kmph.

Forecast valid until May 14 spoke about the possibility of rain or thundershowers at a few places in all districts. Outlook for the two subsequent days did not indicate any significant change.

Stage and state of crops: In the puncha summer paddy crop, harvesting is nearing completion, while in virippu, organic manure application and main field preparation are in progress.

Intercultural operation, plant protection measures, and harvesting and processing are in progress in coconut and arecanut gardens.

Pits are being dug for new plantings in both rubber and coconut. Banana and tapioca also saw new planting, intercultural operation, top dressing and harvesting take place, depending on the stage of the crop.

New planting of ginger and turmeric is in progress. Harvesting of mango, jack and cashew is being continued with.

Farm advisory: Harvesting and drying of the puncha paddy crop and organic manure application, main field preparation and transplanting continued.

Planting can be taken up in all possible crops with the receipt of pre-monsoon showers.

Weeding, plant protection and irrigation operations can be practised in cardamom nurseries. Control measures should be initiated against thrips in standing cardamom gardens. Pits may be taken for new planting of pepper.

Red palm weevil can lead to severe destruction to young plants in coconut. In rubber, with receipt of rainfall, budding of stock seedlings may be taken up for production of planting material and pits dug for new plantings.

Bordeaux mixture can be sprayed in nurseries and existing gardens to prevent bud rot. In cashew, harvesting and land preparation may be continued with for purposes of new planting.

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