CURRENT RAINFALL PATTERN IN KARNATAKA AND ITS IMPACT ON COFFEE The rainfall pattern during the period from April to 23rd July 2008 was generally deficit and the soil moisture was adequate in most of the zones due to spread over rainfall in all the months from February onwards with unusually more rainy days. This had resulted in good vegetative growth and the development of berries. However, there is an increase in the incidence of leaf rust to an extent of 1 to 6% during July month form the incidence level ranging from 12% to 32% recorded in different cultivars during June. Generally high percentage of leaf rust was observed in low elevation especially in susceptible cultivars such as Cauvery and S.795 due to intermittent rainfall with sunshine and also non adoption of recommended spray of Bordeaux mixture or Systemic fungicides (Contaf / Bayleton) in time. Incidence of leaf rust was so high resulting in severe defoliation in some of the susceptible plants. Probably the fruit ripening will be delayed in these defoliated plants as the maturity of developing fruits will be slow. The vegetative growth will gradually improve in these plants after the cessation of monsoon during second fortnight of September. It is advisable to undertake the spot application of the systemic fungicide wherever the incidence of leaf rust is noticed during August for minimizing the leaf rust inoculums and also to have the required curative effect. To improve the vegetative growth in the defoliated plants, a foliar spray in the combination of 1 kg urea and 75 ml of any one of the recommended plant hormones (Planofix / Agronaa / Hormonol) per 200 litres of water could be given as spot application on need base after getting the formation of fresh leaves. This will help to achieve early shoots formation and recovery of plants to promote the normal fruit ripening. The post monsoon spray of 0.5% Bordeaux mixture during September has to be carried out as per schedule in time to achieve the desired results on leaf retention and the next year cropping wood. South West monsoon became very active from 24th July 2008. The coffee zones of Karnataka had moderate to high rainfall in majority of the areas, although the total precipitation so far was less than the last years’ rainfall for the same period. Especially the rainfall was very intensive with more than 100 mm in a day during the 2nd week of August. The continuous rainfall may lead to soil saturation resulting in pre-mature fruit drop. The high rainfall coupled with high humidity and hanging mist will be very conducive for the incidence of black rot and stalk rot. If the incidence of black rot is noticed, it is very much necessary to remove the affected leaves and fruits along with the white thread (mycelial thread) and destroy them by either burning or burying them in soil for avoiding the spread of incidence. This phytosanitory measure will effectively reduce the inoclum and minimize the recurrence during the next season. The centering and removal of dead wood should be done immediately, if it is not done so far. Wherever necessary, lifting of shade by removing the lower hanging branches has to be carried out to avoid the hanging mist. During the break in monsoon, give a spot application of the fungicide, Bavistin @ 120 grams per 200 litre of water for controlling the incidence effectively. If the incidences of both leaf rust and black rot are observed, a foliar spray of Bayleton @ 160 grams in combination with 120 grams of Bavistin per 200 litres of water could be given as spot application on need base. As the fruit development is satisfactory and it is more than 120 days after blossom, the chances for pre-mature fruit drop are very less due to heavy monsoon at this stage of berry growth. However adequate care has to be taken to avoid the water stagnation at the root zone and also drainage trenches have to be taken out on need base wherever it is necessary for avoiding defoliation and fruit drop due to wet feet condition. There will not be any crop reduction to a larger extent due to such rainfall, if the suggested measures are undertaken on time. Application of 1 bag urea per acre during the break in monsoon should be done. The berry growth is more than the normal size due to lack of soil moisture saturation during July and also due to good root activity. There is a chance for getting early ripening especially in Sln.9 and Cauvery plants this year. Hence required arrangements have to be made to harvest the ripe fruits in time by mobilizing the required workers to harvest the crop.