A Detailed Explanation of the Latest Key Technical Points for Topdressing Cotton

Cotton is indispensable in our lives. Many friends think cotton is a processed product, but in fact cotton is grown directly. Its planting area in our country is very large, because cotton is a daily necessity for us, such as cotton-padded jackets and quilts, which are mainly made from cotton as the primary material. In fact, growing cotton is fairly technical, and correct topdressing is the key to successful cultivation. So how should topdressing be carried out when growing cotton? Let us take a look together below!

1. Seedling fertilizer

Seedling fertilizer is the first topdressing carried out during the growing process. Proper application of seedling fertilizer can effectively promote the development of the plant's root system, extend and expand the roots, enhance the ability to absorb nutrients, speed up transport, and improve seedling growth. When applying seedling fertilizer, nitrogen fertilizer is mainly used, but care must be taken not to over-apply. The specific application amount depends on the growth of the seedlings and the fertility of the soil. If the base fertilizer was insufficient and the seedlings are growing weakly, a high-nitrogen compound fertilizer can be used to promote growth. If the soil fertility is sufficient and the seedlings are growing strongly, seedling fertilizer application can be stopped.

2. Flower bud fertilizer

After flower buds appear on the cotton plant, the demand for nutrients becomes relatively high, so nutrient supplementation should be strengthened at this time. Reasonable topdressing during the flower bud stage is beneficial to the later plant development. It can not only keep the plant growing both vegetatively and reproductively at the same time, but also accelerate the plant's growth rate so that it fruits as early as possible. Flower bud fertilizer can be applied as a compound fertilizer by digging a trench around the plant and using the trench application method. However, care must be taken not to let the plant come into contact with the fertilizer, especially the roots; otherwise the fertilizer will burn the roots, causing root damage and hindering nutrient absorption and transport.

3. Flower and boll fertilizer

It was mentioned earlier that when cotton produces flower buds, its fertilizer demand gradually increases, and when cotton growth enters the flowering and boll stage, this is the period of greatest fertilizer demand during the growing process. Therefore, at this time it is necessary to ensure sufficient nutrients for plant growth, and the fertilizer can also be replaced with compound fertilizer. The topdressing time depends on the growth situation. If soil fertility is low and cotton growth becomes weak, fertilization can be appropriately advanced. It is mainly applied after the plant flowers. When the flowering rate of the plant reaches 4/5, select 1-2 strong-growing plants to begin topdressing.

4. Topping fertilizer

The main purpose of applying topping fertilizer is to prevent premature senescence caused by a lack of nutrients during the later fruiting and ripening stage of cotton. Topping fertilizer can enhance the plant's resistance, maintain the plant's growth rate, reduce the incidence of pests and diseases, and also help increase yield and improve quality. The method and timing of fertilization are mainly to topdress outside the roots after the plant is topped, and different fertilizers are used according to the plant's nutrient deficiency. For example, urea should be applied when nitrogen is deficient, and potassium dihydrogen phosphate should be applied when phosphorus is deficient. This can effectively prevent yellowing and leaf drop in the later stage and premature senescence.

The above are the key technical points for topdressing during cotton cultivation. The economic value of growing cotton is very high, because its demand and price in our country are very great. However, everyone should pay attention to topdressing techniques. Correct topdressing can better stimulate the growth and development of cotton, thereby achieving the goal of high quality and high yield. That is all for today's introduction. I hope everyone can return with a full harvest.