Latest selection methods and usage precautions for cotton foliar fertilizer

For cotton farmers, spraying foliar fertilizer is extremely important, but many farmers do not know which type to choose when selecting foliar fertilizer, and they are also not very clear about what to pay attention to when using foliar fertilizer. Let us learn the relevant knowledge together below.

1. Selection of foliar fertilizer

1. Seedling stage

When sufficient base fertilizer has been applied, strong seedlings can be left without foliar fertilizer spraying. If the seedlings grow too vigorously, some plant growth regulator——mepiquat chloride can be sprayed as appropriate to inhibit their growth, while weak seedlings can be sprayed multiple times with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium elements to promote the weak and turn them strong.

2. Growth stage

When cotton enters the period when vegetative growth and reproductive growth proceed together, strong seedlings can, under the condition of sufficient base fertilizer, be appropriately sprayed with plant growth regulators, and at the same time sprayed with micro-fertilizers. For example, boron deficiency can cause bud and boll shedding, so boron fertilizer can be sprayed 2-3 times at the squaring stage. When plant growth regulators are sprayed on seedlings that grow too vigorously, fertilizer and water can also be controlled to regulate them; for weak seedlings during the growth stage, under normal fertilizer and water management, an appropriate amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium elements can be sprayed.

3. Late stage

In the late stage, when drought or premature senescence appears in the cotton field, an appropriate amount of nutritional foliar fertilizer can be sprayed to prevent premature senescence.

2. Precautions for using foliar fertilizer

1. Application period and time

From the perspective of the cotton growth stage, foliar fertilizer application is mainly carried out from the stage of vigorous vegetative growth to the stage when vegetative growth and reproductive growth proceed together. Among these, the effect of use in the middle and late growth stages is greater than in the late stage, and the late stage is greater than the early stage. Therefore, the best period for using foliar fertilizer should be the middle growth stage of cotton, that is, from the end of June to the beginning of August, when the effect is relatively good. For spraying foliar fertilizer, it is best to choose a cloudy day or a sunny morning when the dew has dried, or after 4 p.m., and try to avoid midday high temperature and strong light, so as to prevent the fertilizer solution from evaporating too quickly or causing leaf burn. If it rains 3 hours after fertilizer spraying, spray once more after the rain clears, but appropriately reduce the concentration.

2. Application method and concentration

Foliar fertilizer spraying is mainly applied to tender leaves, and the underside of the leaves is best. It is advisable to spray the branches and leaves until water begins to drip from both the front and back sides. Spraying should be uniform, and the spray should be prepared and used immediately, not left for too long. Different crop types also have different amounts and spraying concentrations of foliar fertilizer. Generally, the spraying amount per mu is 45-55 kg, and the concentration varies from 0.5%-1%, or strictly follow the requirements of the instruction manual. Some adhesives can also be added, such as washing powder, soap liquid, etc., to enhance the adhesion of the fertilizer solution on the leaf surface and prolong the leaf's fertilizer absorption time.

The above is an introduction to the selection and usage precautions of cotton foliar fertilizer. We hope it can help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.