18 Sep Mitigation measures in Oil palm cultivation under delayed or deficit monsoon conditions
आयल पॉम (तेल ताड) की खेती मे मानसून की देरी या कमी केे प्रभाव को कम करने के उपाय Oil palm is being cultivated in India in an area of 2.58 lakh hectares. It is cultivated in 1.50 lakh hectares in Andhra Pradesh under irrigated conditions. Due to Elnino effect during this year delayed monsoon conditions are prevailing. Though oil palm is being cultivated under irrigated conditions, due to prevailing weather conditions and power shortage, crop is not being provided with sufficient irrigation. Under severe water stress conditions, two are more spear leaves will be emerged; leaves in the outer whorl will be wilted, dried and drooped subsequently. Severe stress may lead to production of more male flowers resulting in reduced Fresh Fruit Bunch (FFB) production. Sometimes bunches may abort or become dried and reduction of existing bunch weight can also be observed. Emergence of spear leaves Wilting and drying of leaves Though farmers are practicing good management practices, the prevailing unfavorable weather conditions may show impact on production and productivity in future. This crop being sensitive to water stress, needs greater attention for irrigation management. It is required to adopt techniques to overcome unfavorable conditions viz., heat waves, low RH, non retention of moisture in light soils...