Weather-Based Crop Advisory

Fortnight from 16th to 31st March, 2026

During the fortnight from 16th to 31st March, 2026, the mean maximum temperature increased by 0.9°C and mean minimum temperature increased by 1.3°C as compared to the mean values of the corresponding period for the previous five years. The percent relative humidity in the morning decreased by 3.8% and in the afternoon decreased by 1.2% as compared to the previous five years. During this fortnight 1.9 mm rainfall was recorded.

Fortnight from 16^th to 31^st December, 2025

During the second fortnight of the month i.e., 16^th to 31^st December, 2025, the mean maximum temperature increased by 0.3ºC and mean minimum temperature decreased by 2.5 ºC as compared to the previous fortnight. The mean maximum and minimum temperature decreased by 0.73ºC and 3.27ºC respectively as compared to the mean values of the corresponding period for the previous five years. The percent relative humidity in the morning increased by 1.29 % and in the afternoon decreased by 4.25% as compared to the previous fortnight. During this fortnight no rainfall was recorded.

Crop weather situation

During second fortnight of December 2025 mean minimum temperatures are very low compared to the average value of previous 5 years. There was no rainfall during the entire period. Therefore, one needs to take care of irrigation for standing vegetable and fruit crops. Mulching at the base of the standing fruit crops to reduce evaporation losses may be done. Choking of banana can be prevented by application of more potassium and proper mulching.

Incidence of insect pests

Under the prevailing weather situation, following pests are expected under Bengaluru conditions on various horticultural crops. The management options are mentioned below.

Hoppers on mango:

• Incidence of hoppers is observed on mango. Spray Azadirachtin 3000 ppm @ 2 ml/l, if the hopper population is low to moderate. If the number exceeds 4 per panicle spray with *imidacloprid 17.8 SL @ 0.5 ml/l or *oxydemeton – methyl 25% EC @ 2 ml/l or *dimethoate 30% EC @ 2ml/litre at early panicle emergence.

Flower webbers/inflorescence caterpillars on mango

• Besides hoppers, inflorescence caterpillars which web the flowers and feed inside are potential pests on mango during January. Application of lambda cyhalothrin 5EC @ 0.5ml/L or cypermethrin 25 EC @1ml/L are useful to control the pest.

Banana skipper

• Skipper butterfly is becoming serious pest on banana, the larva rolls the leaves and feed by remaining inside. Affected leaves to be mechanically removed and destroyed. In case of severe infestation, spraying of quinolphos 25EC @ 2ml/L or chlorpyrifos 20EC @ 2.5ml/L is advised.

Tomato fruit borer:

• With the prevailing weather, incidence of tomato fruit borer may increase on tomato. For its management, spray HaNPV @ 250 LE/ha during evening hours or spray *flubendiamide 20 WG @0.2g/l, *indoxacarb14.5SC @ 0.5ml/l, if the incidence is very high. Proper waiting periods are to be followed before harvest of tomatoes.

Tomato moth

• Install tuta pheromone traps for monitoring of the adults @ 4-6 traps/acre
• Spray indoxacarb 14.5SC @ 0.75 ml/litre or spinosad 45SC @ 0.3ml/l

Midge on chillies:

• Severe incidence of midges is observed on chilli which causes maximum damage at flowering stage. Spray thiamethoxam25WG @ 0.3 g/l for their management.

Thrips on capsicum and chilli

• Incidence of thrips is increasing on capsicum grown under shade net/polyhouses and chilli grown under open conditions. Spray imidacloprid 200 SL @ 0.5 mL/l or fipronil 5 SC @ 1.5 ml/l.

Thrips parvispisnus on chilli

• Black thrips incidence is increasing on chilli and capsicum; it is advised to farmers to raise seedlings under Nylon mesh thrips proof conditions, use thrips free seedlings
• Barrier crop: sow maize all along the border 30 days before chilli transplantation
• Root dipping of the seedlings in imidacloprid 17.8 SL solution @ 0.5 ml per litre of water for one hour during transplanting
• After planting: regular alternate weekly spraying of imidacloprid 17.8 SL 0.5ml/litre+ neem oil 2.5ml/litre, fipronil80WG @40g/acre, Fipronil 40%+ imidaclorpid40% @40g/acre, Cyantraniliprole10OD @240ml/acre, acetamiprid20SP @40g/acre, spirotetramat150 OD @160ml/acre, pongamia oil 2.5ml/litre

or

• Spray twice @ minimum 15 days interval in a crop cycle Isocycloseram 9.2% (w/w DC) + Isocycloseram10% (w/v DC) * @ 1.2ml/liter
• Every 15days interval (depending upon the outbreak) chlropyrifos 50EC (2.5ml/l) soil drenching is required to kill pupa that are in soil.

• Note: None of these chemicals are approved by CIBRC except isocyloseram

Aphids on cucurbits

• Aphid infestation may increase on different cucurbits. Spray imidacloprid 17.8SL@ 0.5 ml/l for their management.

*CIBRC approved, others not in the CIBRC list are based on reports

Disclaimer: Wherever label claim not available, recommendations are made based on experimental results

Disease scenario

Disease scenario in relation to the weather data during second fortnight of December, 2025.

Vegetable Crops

Onion

• Purple blotch severity increases with prevailing dew conditions. To manage this disease, spray dithane M-45@ 2.5g/litre or tebuconazole 50+trifloxystrobin 25%WG @ 0.6g/L

Chilli

• Powdery mildew severity increases in chilli under prevailing conditions. Foliar application of difenoconazole 25% EC (0.5ml/l) or tebuconazole 50 + trifloxystrobin 25%WG @0.6g/L is required to manage this disease

Beans and pea

• To manage rust disease give foliar spray of dithane M-45@ 2 g/litre .

Fruit Crops

Mango

• Powdery severity increases under prevailing weather conditions. To manage this disease gives foliar spray with Sulphur 80 % WP (2g/l) or Hexaconazole 5% EC (1ml/l). Sulphur spray should be voided during sunny, warm conditions if temperature is more than 38°C as it causes phytotoxicity (“burn”) to flowers and young fruits. Avoid fungicide sprays if flowering is more than 50%.

Flower and Medicinal Crops

Rose

• Powdery mildew severity increases.To manage the disease give foliar spray of Chlorothalonil 75% WP@2g/l followed by spray with Azoxystrobin 23% SC@ 0.5 ml/L in case of high severity