Warm weather gradually arrives in the third month of spring; prepare mulberry and silkworms without delay

The sluggish cocoon price market in 2007 affected silkworm farmers' enthusiasm for planting mulberry @#@250@#@ to a certain extent. For farmers in the key sericulture townships of Chun'an County, planting mulberry and raising silkworms is still the main source of household income. Therefore, the author reminds the broad community of silkworm farmers to treat the sluggish cocoon market rationally and not to easily waver in their enthusiasm for raising silkworms. At present, it is necessary to seize the favorable opportunity to order enough good spring silkworm eggs, do a good job in mulberry field fertilization and management, and strive to make a comeback in the Year of the Rat.

Relevant provincial experts believe that the sharp fluctuations in cocoon prices over the past two years are an irrational oscillation, and the drop of sericulture benefits to a trough is a temporary phenomenon. There are three reasons. First, from the national sericulture production situation, due to climate and other reasons, except for an increase in spring cocoons, summer and autumn cocoons generally declined in production. At the same time, high-grade silk is in short supply on the market, and stocks of low-quality cocoons are not abundant either. There is still some time before spring cocoons reach the market, and processing enterprises do not have ample raw materials. Second, in 2007 the silk price remained at a low level of 165,000 to 210,000 yuan per ton, and there is now almost no room for further decline. Third, from the market conditions of the China Cocoon and Silk Exchange Market, forward contracts for dried cocoons are bullish. Therefore, it can be said that the cocoon and silk market has begun to slowly enter a recovery stage. So the broad community of silkworm farmers should treat the sluggish cocoon market rationally and not easily waver in their enthusiasm for raising silkworms. At present, the main tasks are the following.

Do a good job in new mulberry planting. First, strictly control planting density. In order to give full play to the high-yield and high-quality characteristics of new mulberry varieties, mulberry planting density must be strictly controlled and planting must be done carefully. For Nongsang No. 12 and No. 14, plant about 750 plants per mu (plant-to-row spacing of 0.66 m x 1.35 m). Second, plant mulberry with "deep furrows and shallow planting, firming with fine soil." In order to thicken the loose soil layer and expand the area for root extension and absorption, the mulberry planting land must first be comprehensively plowed and leveled. Third, do a good job in trunk setting for newly planted mulberry. For newly planted mulberry, cut the trunk to set the height in early March, generally at a height of 25-30 cm, and at the same time do a good job in mounding soil and straightening the seedling trunk, and water once with clear water and manure.

Do a good job in spring mulberry field cultivation and management. First, do a good job in ditching and drainage. If water accumulates in the mulberry field, it will cause mulberry roots to rot, affect mulberry tree growth, cause slow growth of mulberry trees, and reduce the yield and quality of mulberry leaves. In particular, newly planted mulberry seedlings are prone to death, seriously affecting the survival rate of mulberry seedlings. Because there is more rain in spring, the bed furrows must be well opened, with furrows connected to one another, striving for smooth drainage and dry water after rain stops. Second, fertilize rationally. Spring fertilizer is applied in two applications. The first spring fertilizer application is in mid-March, with 40 kg of special mulberry fertilizer per 0.067 ha (or 50 kg of ammonium bicarbonate); the second is in mid-April, with 50 kg of ammonium bicarbonate (or 20 kg of urea), 15 kg of superphosphate, and 10 kg of potassium chloride per 0.067 ha.

Do a good job in pest control on white strips. Before the end of March, carry out one chemical control treatment, using 80% dichlorvos solution plus 40% phoxim at 1500 times dilution or 40% Sangbao emulsifiable concentrate at 3700 times (1 tube per barrel), and all branches and trunks are required to be fully sprayed wet.