The Kerala Agriculture University (KAU) has asked the State government to take precautionary measures against the possible locust attack. 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 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. 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.

Source: The Hindu May 31, 2020 14:03 UTC