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THE Agromet Bulletin dated March 10, issued by the Meteorological Centre Thiruvananthapuram, forecasts isolated rains/ thundershowers in all districts of Kerala over the next few days.

Four districts — Thiruvananthapuram, Alappuzha, Kottayam and Wayanad — received excess rainfall between March 1 and March 9, while Ernakulam and Idukki districts received normal rainfall.

Chief amounts of rainfall in centimetres are:

March 7: Neyyattinkara and Vythiri — 2 cm each

March 8: Mancompu - 3 cm, Alappuzha - 2 cm and Haripad and Piravom 1 cm each.

March 9: Kottayam - 3 cm, Mancompu - 1 cm

Mean maximum temperature varied between 32°C and 36°C in several districts. Kottayam recorded the highest maximum of 36.4°C on March 8.

Mean minimum temperature varied between 22°C and 26°C in various districts. Kottayam recorded the lowest of 20.6°C on March 9. Mean relative humidity varied between 61 per cent and 79 per cent in various districts.

Stage and state of crops: In Mundakan paddy, the late planted and medium-duration varieties are in the harvesting stage. Some areas saw harvesting begin as well. The third summer crop, puncha, is in the tillering stage.

For coconut crops, massive spraying operations continue to control the widespread attack of the Eriophid mite. Intercultural operations, plant protection measures and shading of young plants are in progress for coconut, arecanut, nutmeg and cardamom crops.

The crops also saw harvesting and processing operations begin in some places. Rooted pepper cuttings are being raised. In most areas, rubber tapping has been stopped due to winter leaf fall.

Monthly top dressing and intercultural operations are in progress in banana, tapioca and vegetables. New planting is being continued for tapioca in areas with irrigation facilities. Cashew harvesting has been started in some areas.

Farm advisory: Paddy fields should be closely watched for leaf folder and rice thrips. Sowing of pulses, sesamum and vegetables in fallow paddy fields can be continued.

Community spraying against mite attack in coconut must be continued. Plant protection measures should be taken against red palm weevil and leaf eating caterpillar.

Control measures should be adopted against stem borer attack in cashew. New planting can be carried out in banana, tapioca and seasonal vegetables in areas with assured irrigation facilities.

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

Based on leaf fall intensity, rubber tapping may be temporarily withheld. But tapping can be resumed in intervals of three days.

New planting (if gap filling is required), weeding and fertiliser application may be carried out in rubber.

Nursery preparation of coconut, arecanut and pepper may be continued.

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