The Hindu Business Line : Dry weather prevails in Kerala

DRY weather continued to prevail in the State during the four days ended February 20, says the Agromet Bulletin dated February 21 issued by the Met Office, Thiruvananthapuram. None of the recognised rain-gauge centres reported any rain at all.

Mean minimum temperature varied between 22°C and 25°C in various districts. Alappuzha recorded the lowest minimum of 20.4°C on February 18. Mean relative humidity varied between 63 per cent and 79 per cent in various districts, mean cloud coverage between two okta and five okta and mean wind speed, two kmph and 10 kmph.

Forecast valid until the morning of February 23 spoke about mainly dry weather for the State. Outlook for the two subsequent days did not indicate any change.

Stage and state of crops: Harvesting is over in most of the Mundakan paddy fields. The late-planted and the medium duration varieties are in the maturity stage.

Transplanting operations are going on in Puncha, the third summer crop in all areas with irrigation facilities. The massive spraying operation against widespread Eriophid mite attack is still being carried out.

Plant protection measures, intercultural operations and shading of young plants along with harvest and processing operations are on in coconut, arecanut, nutmeg and cardamom. Harvesting is over in turmeric and ginger. Raising of rooted pepper cuttings has been started with. Winter leaf fall continues to hamper tapping operations in some rubber plantations.

Monthly top dressing and intercultural operations are in progress in banana, tapioca and vegetables. New planting is progressing in tapioca and seasonal vegetables in areas with irrigation facilities.

Farm advisory: Paddy fields should be closely watched for leaf folder and rice thrips. Control measures should be adopted against plant hopper. Sowing of pulses, sesamum and vegetables continue in those paddy fields where harvesting operations are over.

In case of attack from leaf eating caterpillar, Diclorovos in one ml of water should be sprayed or Mercaptothion used, followed by release of pupal and larval parasites available from bio-control laboratories 21 days after the spraying.

Stem bleeding has been reported from some areas. Chisel out the completely affected tissues and paint the wound with five per cent Tridemorph. Apply coal tar one to two days hence.

Irrigate coconut and other garden land crops in all possible areas at least once in every 10-14 days depending on crop, soil and water availability.

In cashew, a third round of control measures should be taken against tea mosquito infestation in consultation with local Krishi Bhavans.

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