Agromet Advisory Bulletin for the State of Punjab
Bulletin No. 57/2015
issued on Friday
17.07.2015 To 20.07.2015
Part A: Realized and forecast weather
Summary of past weather over the State during (14th to 16th July):
Rainfall occurred at isolated places during the entire period.
Maximum temperatures were between 34-36OC which were 1-2OC below normal. Minimum
temperatures were between 25-27OC which were 1-2OC above normal.
Chief amounts of rainfall in cms: 14th – Mahurana(ARG) 3, Tibri 2, Faridkot 1; 16th - Shahpur
Kandi 12, R.S. Dam site 8, Ballowal 4 and Phangota 2.
Highest Maximum Temperature: 31.4OC at Patiala on 14th , 35.0OC & 37.5OC at Amritsar on 15th
and 16th July respectively.
State forecast valid until 0830 hrs. of 21.07.2015: Moderate rain/thundershowers would occur at
many places during next 12-24 hours. Intensity and distribution would increase during subsequent 48
hours with moderate to rather heavy rainfall at most places.
WARNING: Heavy rain/ thundershowers (rainfall > 7 cm) would occur at few places/parts with very
heavy rainfall at one or two places during the period.
Outlook for subsequent two days: Isolated to scattered rainfall would occur.
Part B
Crop information and Agromet Advisories
Stages of the major kharif/Rabi crops
(Crop stages and state as collected from AMFUs and State Department of Agriculture, Punjab)
Name of crop
Paddy
Sugarcane
Fruits
Vegetables
Fodder
Sunflower
Cotton
Stage
Transplanting
Grand growth stage
Fruiting
Maturity/Transplanting
Sowing/Tillering
Harvesting
Branching
Crop Advisories and Plant Protection:
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Paddy: Due to prediction of moderate rain/thundershowers during next 12-24 hours and moderate to rather
heavy rainfall during subsequent 48 hours at most places, farmers may transplant paddy nursery.
Additionally, for the better development of seedlings apply 37 kg urea per acre to medium soils at the time
of transplanting. In order to control weed, use Butachlor 50 EC or Butachlor 50 EW or Thiobencarb 50 EC
@1200ml/acre within 2-3 days after transplanting. Avoid transplating paddy in poor sandy soil. In order to
get better grain quality, water saving and low build up of stem borers, sowing of crop should be scheduled in
the second fortnight of June. Use nitrogen judiciously based on Leaf colour chart (LCC). Excessive use of
nitrogen fertilizer encourage multiplication of insect pests particularly whitebacked plant hopper in PR 114
and false smut disease in PR 116.
Summer moong/mash: Under clear and no rainy weather during next 2-3 days, farmers are advised to apply
11 kg urea and 100 kg single superphosphate in moong crop. For mash crop, apply 11 kg urea and 60 kg
single superphosphate at the time of sowing. Treat the sowing with recommended rhyzobium culture for
higher yield.
Sugarcane: Earthing up of the sugarcane crop may be done if not done earlier during the first week of July.
If sugarcane fields get flooded with water, excess water may be drained out. The attack of top borer can be
checked by applying 10 kg Ferterra 0.4 GR or 12 kg carbofuran encapsulated 3 G or Phorate encapsulated 10
G at the base of the shoots upto first week of July.
Cotton: As per the prediction of moderate rain/thundershowers during next 12-24 hours and moderate to
rather heavy rainfall during subsequent 48 hours, farmers are advised not to provide irrigation during the
period. During early growth stages, drain out excess water from the cotton fields. Square shedding has been
observed due to cloudy weather. Farmers are advised to spray neem oil @ 1.0 litre/acre wherever the ETL of
whitefly has crossed (6-8adults/3leaves). Drenching of Carbendazim @1g/liter water in root zone was
suggested for root rot affected fields. Monitor leafhopper regularly as the cloudy weather is congenial for its
build up. Wherever square/bud/flower initiation noticed it is advised to spray the cotton crop with N: P: K
(13:0:45) @2.0kg/acre to check the shedding of fruiting bodies. Farmers are advised to monitor their crop
for insect pests and diseases regularly.
Animal Husbandry: During summer season, concentrate should contain 2-3 per cent more crude protein
content and therefore increase 5 to 7 per cent more oilseed cakes in the concentrate mixture. The animals in
heat should be judged for signs of frequent urination and vaginal discharge. The animals which have not
been vaccinated against H.S. (Gal Ghotu) yet, must be got vaccinated. In case of any outbreak of Gal Ghotu
consult your local Veterinary Doctor immediately for treatment. Hot and humid climate may lead to
conditions of ring worm in animals so keep the animals clean and dry. Similarly, protect wounds from flies
to avoid maggots infestation. Fresh, clean and hygienic water should be made available to the animals
throughout the day.
Poultry: The poultry feed to be used in hot and humid season should have 15-20 per cent more proteins,
minerals and vitamins in order to compensate reduced feed intake. Avoid dampness during rainy season to
avoid incidence of coccidiosis. Add coccidiostats in the poultry feed for prevention of this disease and avoid
the entry of rain inside the sheds.
Vegetables: Farmers are advised not to irrigate the crops like summer vegetables as moderate to heavy rain
forecast during next 72 hours. Avoid the sowing of Okra, sponge gourd, bottle gourd and cluster bean due to
moderate to heavy rain during next 72 hours. Avoid the sowing of brinjal in raised nursery beds due to
moderate to heavy rain during next 72 hours.
 Fruits/Horticulture: Avoid irrigation to Pear and guava crops which carry developing and maturing fruits,
as moderate to heavy rain forecast during next 72 hours. Drain the excess water from the orchards, if needed.
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Fodder: For control of weeds, use atrazine 50 WP as pre-emergence application @ 500g per acre on light
textured soils and @ 800 g per acre on heavy textured soils. Atrazine can also be sprayed 10 days after
sowing maize for controlling weeds. Do not allow the rain water to stand in the main crop as this crop is
highly sensitive to standing water and promotes bacterial stalk rot. To check the attack of maize borer,
uproot the borer damaged plants and bury them at the time of thinning or use Trichogramma bioagent for
controlling this borer. Sowing of kharif fodders at regular intervals should be continued for regular supply
of green fodders. Sorghum may be sown for providing fodders late in the kharif season.