How to release seedlings after mulching cotton fields with plastic film? Practical tips to share

In plastic-film-mulched cotton fields, the temperature is high, and seedlings emerge quickly and evenly. It takes 8 days from sowing to emergence, and 3 to 4 days after emergence for full stand. After full stand, if the late frost has passed, holes should be broken to release the seedlings.

Releasing seedlings too early means they cannot achieve full stand or complete stand; too late is not good for strong seedlings, and if high temperatures occur, it often causes seedling scorching. For drill sowing, holes should be punched according to plant spacing to release seedlings; for hole sowing, holes should be punched according to seedlings.

After breaking the film and releasing seedlings, cover the openings with soil to prevent moisture loss, temperature drop, film lifting by strong wind, and weed growth. When releasing seedlings, grasp the principle of releasing green but not yellow, that is, cotton seedlings with flat and expanded cotyledons can be released; yellow-valve seedlings that have not expanded, if released, are easily dried by wind or killed by sun, and cannot be released through holes.

For seedling release timing, on cloudy days seedlings can be released all day; on sunny days, it is best after the morning dew has dried and after three or four o'clock in the afternoon. When the midday sun is blazing, releasing seedlings at this time easily damages them.