From July to August, it is a critical period for cotton plants as they enter the budding, flowering, and boll formation stages. Proper management during this time is essential to ensure healthy growth and high yield. If not handled correctly, the plants may grow too long, delay boll development, and ultimately reduce both the quality and quantity of the harvest. To achieve a successful cotton harvest, the following practices should be implemented:
1. **Irrigation and Fertilization**
July marks the peak season for water and nutrient needs in cotton crops. It's important to provide sufficient irrigation and apply 15 kg of urea per acre during this period. However, after August 10th, irrigation should be restricted, except for areas with sandy soil that may require additional moisture.
2. **Pruning**
Cotton plants thrive in this period, but excessive growth can lead to shading and poor air circulation. Removing the lower fruit branches manually helps reduce nutrient competition and improves light penetration, preventing late maturity and promoting better boll development.
3. **Chemical Control**
Controlling plant growth through proper chemical application is crucial. If left unchecked, cotton can become overly vigorous, leading to excessive foliage and reduced fruiting. Spraying "Cotton Zhuang Ti Ling" during irrigation helps shorten the fruiting zone, suppress axillary buds, control plant height, and promote earlier boll formation.
4. **Topping**
When the cotton plant develops 7-8 fruit branches, topping (removing the growing tip) should be done. This encourages more lateral growth and improves the photosynthetic efficiency of the leaves. Foliar fertilization at this stage also helps prevent early leaf aging and enhances overall plant health.
5. **Pest Management**
Common pests like the cotton bollworm and spider mites can significantly impact yield. To manage them, use fresh high-lipid membrane emulsions diluted in 230–250 liters of water, applying them every 7–14 days for 2–3 sprays. Black light or high-pressure mercury lamps can also be used to trap adult pests. For spider mites, spraying 2% avermectin EC diluted 3000–4000 times or 15% EC at 2000 times is effective. Focus on spraying the underside of leaves for maximum effectiveness.
By following these steps, farmers can ensure optimal growth, increase boll production, and improve the overall quality of their cotton crop. With careful attention during this key growth phase, a bountiful harvest is within reach.
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