The Kerala Agriculture University (KAU) has asked the State government to take precautionary measures against the possible locust attack.
If the present low pressure and southwesterly winds continue, there is limited chance of locusts entering Kerala from the north Indian States. However, any deviation in the prevailing weather conditions causing the southwest monsoon winds to recede, there is every likelihood of the 1954 locust catastrophe to repeat in the State, warns the KAU.
The university says the State needs to be on high alert against the locusts. The pest incidence has significant relation with weather parameters and they move along with the wind, says the KAU sources. “Current meteorological predictions of low pressure and high winds in the State limit the chances of possible locust attack. Moreover, the mission mode interventions to control the pest in the affected States is expected to prevent it to reach the southern States,” the sources added.
However, the scientists in Kerala are on high alert and surveillance is extended even to the neighbouring States of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
Alerts
As a precaution the wind directions are also regularly monitored using the site https://earth.nullschool.net/ and the alerts are given by the KAU in public interest.
If the locusts reach Kerala, there is every possibility that it will enter through Palakkad district which is a predominant agricultural area. The high population density of the State prevents measures such as aerial sprays using drones. But in the paddy fields and coconut plantations in Palakkad the aerial sprays can be tried.
As azadirachtin in neem is found to have repellent effect against the pest, the neem-based pesticides can also be used, especially in places near human dwellings.
Pesticides containing azadirachtin @ 3000 ppm is recommended at 5-10 ml per litre of water. If the pest starts breeding in the soils use of bio-agent metarhyzium is recommended and also raking of soil can kill the locust eggs, according to the KAU scientists.
