Dewfall raises risk to samba, thaladi paddy in Nagapattinam

Intense dewfall over the past few days has caused concern among farmers across parts of Nagapattinam district, as samba and thaladi paddy crops enter the crucial flowering and panicle formation stage.

Following a brief lull in rainfall, cold conditions have intensified, leading to heavy dew formation, particularly during late night and early morning hours. Farmers from villages in the Kilvelur taluk, including Kollapadu, Velliyalam, Sattiyakudi, Ettukudi, Keelayur, and Thirupoondi, said the cold was harsher than usual this time of the season.

“The crop is at a sensitive stage now. Prolonged dew and chilly weather can affect grain setting and reduce yields,” said R. Sathyan, a farmer from Kilvelur. Crops already weakened by earlier weather fluctuations were at greater risk, he added.

Echoing the concern, K. Valayapathi, a farmer from Nagapattinam, said even a few more days of heavy dew could lead to partial losses, especially in low-lying and saline-prone fields.

Meanwhile, Joint Director of Agriculture S. Babu has issued an advisory warning of increased incidence of pests such as stem borer and leaf folder in some areas, apart from algae growth in paddy fields affected by salinity.

He said farmers should immediately contact agricultural extension officers on noticing symptoms such as drying of the central shoot, white earheads, rolled leaves, or crop scorching.

The advisory also stresses timely pest management measures, keeping field bunds clean, using green manure crops, applying fertilizers only in recommended quantities, and avoiding continuous paddy cultivation by following crop rotation.