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New Cotton Cultivation Technique: Saving Labor and Increasing Yield at the Same Time

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This technique is based on the cotton cultivation method in which cotton is not pruned or disbudded, but only the terminal bud and side buds are removed, also called the two-time topping cultivation method. On that basis, a more labor-saving one-time topping cultivation method has been introduced. It saves at least 70% of labor, while increasing yield by more than 8%, and cotton quality is basically on par with the traditional method. Its key techniques are as follows: 1. Select good varieties and keep the sowing date moderate. It is advisable to choose large-plant types with strong mid-season growth, with seed cotton yield per mu of no less than 350 kg and high-yielding varieties exceeding 500 kg. Usually, the Hua Kang III series, Qiufeng Large Boll series, and disease-resistant

This technique is based on the cotton cultivation method in which cotton is not pruned or disbudded, but only the terminal bud and side buds are removed, also called the two-time topping cultivation method. On that basis, a more labor-saving one-time topping cultivation method has been introduced. It saves at least 70% of labor, while increasing yield by more than 8%, and cotton quality is basically on par with the traditional method. Its key techniques are as follows:

1. Select good varieties and keep the sowing date moderate. It is advisable to choose large-plant types with strong mid-season growth, with seed cotton yield per mu of no less than 350 kg and high-yielding varieties exceeding 500 kg. Usually, the Hua Kang III series, Qiufeng Large Boll series, and disease-resistant GK-12105 line are chosen. The sowing date should not be too early; sowing may begin only when the 5 cm soil temperature stably passes 16°C. The land should be plowed and harrowed well, sown with sufficient soil moisture, and mulched after sowing.

2. Distinguish soil fertility and keep density reasonable. Sparse planting has a very good effect in promoting individual plant potential, but it should not be too sparse. In the Huang-Huai-Hai, Yangtze River basin, and cotton regions to the south, high-fertility and high-water plots should have 1000-1500 plants per mu, and medium-fertility and medium-water plots should have 1500-2000 plants per mu. For melon-cotton, vegetable-cotton, and rice-wheat intercropping with cotton, density should be appropriately increased. In the Xinjiang and Gansu cotton regions, it should be no less than 6000 plants.

3. Increase fertilization, with emphasis on balance. The simplified cultivation technique requires more than 30% more fertilizer than traditional methods. Apply 3000-5000 kg of farmyard manure per mu or 150-200 kg of bagged organic refined fertilizer, 25-35 kg of urea, 75-125 kg of superphosphate, 25-35 kg of potassium sulfate, and 3 kg of zinc, boron, and molybdenum fertilizers. Nutrient uptake gradually weakens later, so foliar feeding should be used, preferably by spraying Tianda 2116, Plant Power 2003, and potassium dihydrogen phosphate in rotation 3 times, once a week.

4. Top early, and boll setting will be accurate and good. When cotton plants grow to 1.2-1.3 m (non-Xinjiang and non-Gansu cotton regions), the Huang-Huai basin usually around the Beginning of Autumn, remove the terminal bud and side buds all at once to promote rapid boll formation and growth and increase yield. In the Yangtze River and areas to the south, topping time should be appropriately delayed, while in the Haihe River basin, southern Liaoning, and northern Hebei, it should be appropriately advanced.

5. Chemical regulation should be light, and do not flood with heavy water. Chemical agents have a certain yield-increasing effect in regulating cotton, but they should not be used too heavily. Too much growth promoter (such as 920, etc.) leads to excessive vegetative growth, while too much inhibitor (such as Fengchanling, Leilingduo, etc.) causes boll crowding and shedding, small plants, weak light, and reduced yield. It is best to use chemical regulators cautiously and lightly. Cotton most fears flooding with heavy water: seedling stage causes dead seedlings, mid-season causes bud shedding and boll drop, and late season increases poor lint. But if summer drought occurs, irrigate with "horse-run water." During waterlogging, pay attention to drainage and loosening the soil.

6. Control diseases and pests, distinguishing severity. For cotton bollworm and pink bollworm, because of high resistance, detailed control is unnecessary; for aphids, mites, and stink bugs, detailed control is needed. For damping-off and anthracnose at the seedling stage, appropriate control should be given. For yellow wilt and fusarium wilt, the Hua Kang III series, because of high resistance, does not need detailed control; the Qiufeng Large Boll series should be given appropriate control; and the GK-12105 line, because of weaker resistance, should be given detailed control.

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