The Hindu Business Line : `No-rain' week for 10 districts in Kerala

THE week ending March 23 saw 10 districts go without any rain at all and the rest four contend themselves with `scanty rain' as many parts of the State began to experience the fury of an unrelenting sun.

However, the season's (March 1 to 23) statistics revealed that rainfall has been `excess' in Idukki (+74 per cent), Kottayam (+119 per cent), Pathanamthitta (+58 per cent) and Wayanad (+128 per cent). It was `normal' in Alappuzha and Thiruvananthapuram, `deficient' in Kollam and Palakkad and `scanty' in Ernakulam and Thrissur.

Four northern districts - Kannur, Kasaragod, Kozhikode and Malappuram - did not receive any rain at all during the almost month-long season.

Chief amounts of rainfall in mm are:

March 21: Thiruvalla - 5; Punalur - 4 and Haripad - 3.4.

March 22: Munnar - 6.2

Mean maximum temperature varied between 33°C and 37°C in various districts, with Punalur recording the highest maximum of 37.8°C on March 23. The maximum temperature was 3°C above normal in Thiruvananthapuram on March 21. Mean minimum temperature varied between 23°C and 27°C, with Punalur recording the lowest minimum of 22.8°C on March 21.

Mean relative humidity varied between 65 per cent and 81 per cent in various districts, mean cloud coverage between one okta and six okta and mean wind speed, two kmph and 12 kmph.

Forecast valid until the morning of March 26 spoke about the possibility of rain or thundershowers at isolated places in all districts. Outlook for the two subsequent days did not indicate any significant change.

Stage and state of crops: In Mundakan paddy, harvesting is continuing in the late-planted crop and medium-duration varieties. Puncha, the third summer crop, is in the tillering to panicle initiation stage. Irrigation and plant protection are the main operations on in Puncha. Massive spraying operation against Eriophid mite is still being persisted with in coconut. Plant protection measures, intercultural operations and shading of young plants are on in coconut and arecanut along with harvesting and processing operations. Grooming of the rooted pepper cutting is also going on. Rubber tapping has been stopped due to winter leaf fall in most areas. Monthly top dressing and intercultural operations are in progress in banana, tapioca and vegetables. Cashew also saw harvesting gather pace in some places.

Farm advisory: Paddy fields should be closely watched for leaf folder and rice thrips. The Puncha crop must be irrigated every six days wherever water stress is noticed. Control measures should be adopted against brown plant hopper.

The massive/community spraying against mite attack must be persisted with in coconut. This will also help reduce the incidence of coried bug menace. 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 wherever possible once in every 10 - 14 days depending on crop, soil and water availability. Control measures should be adopted against stem borer attack in cashew.

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 with.

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