Meteorological Department Advice to Farmers for Crop and Plant Protection

Cotton: Farmers are advised to prepare their fields and complete the sowing of cotton crops. Ensure heavy irrigation with good quality water before sowing to promote better germination and crop establishment.

Sugarcane:

1. Irrigate every 7-12 days to ensure optimal crop growth.
2. Apply 20-25 quintals per acre of paddy straw, rice husk, or sugarcane trash between the sugarcane rows to reduce soil temperature and minimize moisture loss.
3. For termite control, mix 200 ml of Coragen 18.5 SC (Chlorantraniliprole) in 400 liters of water and apply.

Green Fodder: Begin sowing fodder crops such as maize, sorghum, pearl millet, Napier grass, and Guinea grass for early fodder availability.

Vegetables:

1. Harvest pumpkins and other vegetables such as tomatoes, chilies, brinjal (eggplant), and okra at regular intervals to achieve maximum yield.
2. This is the optimal time for direct sowing of okra, cowpea, and cucurbitaceous vegetables like melons and cucumbers.
3. Use 2 kilograms of seeds per acre for sowing bottle gourd, sponge gourd, bitter gourd, ash gourd, and tinda.
4. Transplant nurseries of chilies, brinjal, and cucumbers that have been raised in polythene/poly plug trays to the field.

Extra Care:

1. Regularly remove suckers emerging from the rootstock of newly planted fruit plants.
2. With rising temperatures and increased fruit drop, ensure the soil is consistently moist in peach orchards.
3. Light and frequent irrigation is recommended for citrus fruits, lychee, and mango trees.
4. To control citrus psylla in citrus fruits, spray 200 ml of Crocodile/Confidor 17.8 SL or 160 grams of insecticide.