Analysis of the Causes of Fertilizer Damage in Cotton and Prevention and Control Methods

Cotton is an important economic crop in China, with a long history of cultivation and a very wide planting area, but during cultivation, improper management can lead to fertilizer damage, causing large areas of cotton to wilt and, in severe cases, dry up and die. So how should cotton fertilizer damage be prevented and controlled? Let's take a look together.

I. Causes of Fertilizer Damage

1. One-sided application of nitrogen fertilizer

In production, many people believe that nitrogen fertilizer promotes plant growth, so generally when crops are growing and developing well, they directly apply nitrogen fertilizer. The more nitrogen fertilizer applied, the more severe the fertilizer damage. Especially highly volatile nitrogen fertilizers can easily cause crops to suffer fertilizer damage. Blindly applying nitrogen fertilizer can also lead to the accumulation of nitrate in crops, causing leaves to turn yellow and fall off.

2. Excessive amount of topdressing

Each time topdressing is done, a certain limit must be observed. If an excessive amount of chemical fertilizer is applied at one time, the fertilizer concentration in the soil will become too high, and the plant root system's absorption of nutrients and water will be affected, resulting in fertilizer damage.

3. Application of undecomposed organic fertilizer

When applying organic fertilizer, if the organic fertilizer has not been fully decomposed, after application its decomposition will release large amounts of organic acids and heat, causing the plant root system to suffer root burn.

4. Topdressing too close to the root system

Because chemical fertilizers decompose quickly, if during topdressing the fertilizer is applied right against the root system, the decomposition of the chemical fertilizer will cause fertilizer damage to the crop.

II. Prevention and Control Measures

1. Rational fertilization

When fertilizing, a scientific formula must be mastered. Each growth stage of the plant has different fertilizer requirements, and one-sided application of nitrogen fertilizer is not advisable. Especially in the middle and late growth stages, phosphorus and potassium fertilizer should be appropriately increased to promote balanced growth of the plant.

2. Do not apply undecomposed organic fertilizer

Organic fertilizer must be fully decomposed before application. In particular, poultry and livestock manure must be piled and fermented before it can be mixed with chemical fertilizer and applied.

3. Increase the application of organic fertilizer

Applying an appropriate amount of organic fertilizer during topdressing can have a strong adsorption effect on cations, keeping their concentration from becoming too high, regulating soil structure, and reducing the occurrence of fertilizer damage.

4. Pay attention to spacing when fertilizing

When fertilizing, keep a distance of about 10 cm from the crop root system, and also apply deeply. After fertilizing, cover with soil immediately to avoid burning the seedlings. If the soil is dry, irrigate promptly to reduce the concentration.

The above is an introduction to the causes of cotton fertilizer damage and prevention and control methods. We hope it can help you. To learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.