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How to prevent and control excessive vegetative growth in cotton? A detailed guide to practical techniques

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At present, cotton has entered the squaring stage, and preventing excessive vegetative growth in cotton must begin now. So-called excessive vegetative growth means the cotton has lost its normal reproductive function, that is, it only flowers without setting bolls, or it flowers heavily but sets few bolls. The causes are first climatic factors, second the blind and random introduction of cotton varieties, and third cultivation methods that do not match climate change. According to records, when the temperature exceeds 35°C, pollen development becomes abnormal and normal pollination cannot occur; while sustained drought intensifies the shedding of squares and bolls. In addition, in mid-August some cotton areas experience

At present, cotton has entered the squaring stage, and preventing excessive vegetative growth in cotton must begin now. So-called excessive vegetative growth means the cotton has lost its normal reproductive function, that is, it only flowers without setting bolls, or it flowers heavily but sets few bolls. The causes are first climatic factors, second the blind and random introduction of cotton varieties, and third cultivation methods that do not match climate change.

According to records, when the temperature exceeds 35°C, pollen development becomes abnormal and normal pollination cannot occur; while sustained drought intensifies the shedding of squares and bolls. In addition, in mid-August some cotton areas experience a continuous week of rainy and overcast weather, which also makes it difficult for cotton to flower and pollinate normally.

From the perspective of cultivation techniques, some late-maturing cotton varieties and late-crop cotton encounter high temperature and drought right at the peak flowering period; some cotton fields are too dense, severely shaded, and have poor air and light penetration; some cotton fields have been given excessive nitrogen fertilizer, causing excessive vegetative growth, which is also unfavorable for boll setting.

The following measures can be taken to rescue cotton from excessive vegetative growth:

First, grasp the opportunity of the second boll-setting peak in cotton. In a normal year, early July to late July is the first boll-setting peak period, and when the temperature drops to 25-30°C, a second boll-setting peak will appear. Therefore, losses in summer bolls can be compensated by autumn bolls, and the boll-setting rate of autumn bolls is about 15 percentage points higher than that of summer bolls.

Second, strengthen management. For cotton fields lacking fertilizer, apply urea as a topdressing, 5-10 kg per mu plus 10 kg of potassium fertilizer; for general cotton fields, spray a foliar application of 1% urea and a 0.2%-0.3% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution; for cotton fields with high density and heavy shading, thoroughly prune and remove old leaves; for cotton fields with overly vigorous growth, spray a foliar application of mepiquat chloride, 7-10 ml per mu, diluted in 50 kg of water; and control late-season pests and diseases well.

Third, select cotton varieties suitable for planting in the local area.

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