Analysis of Cotton Production Misconceptions and Ways to Increase Yield Through Plant Protection (Part 5)

For more than a decade, with the widespread promotion of genetically modified insect-resistant cotton, cotton bollworm is no longer enough to make cotton farmers turn pale at the mention of pests. However, Fusarium wilt and Verticillium wilt have always been the "tightening band" giving cotton farmers headaches, aphids and red spider mites "stir up trouble" every year, cotton stink bugs and tobacco whiteflies have become increasingly rampant in recent years, and together with cotton bollworm suddenly breaking out in certain years, pesticide control of cotton is still an unavoidable matter. At the same time, there are also the following two serious problems in pest and disease control, which directly lead to high pesticide costs and poor control results for some cotton farmers.

Problem one: Control is not timely. It is an indisputable fact that most cotton farmers currently have relatively low scientific and technological literacy, and the current agricultural technology extension system in rural areas is basically in a state of "broken lines, torn nets, and scattered people." A few years ago each village still had one or two technicians, but now basically no one pays attention to "scientific and technological matters." At the same time, the pest and disease control techniques introduced by experts in some science and technology newspapers and books are too "academic," thus causing many cotton farmers to be unable to take timely and effective control measures according to the occurrence patterns of pests and diseases. More often, they only begin to use large amounts of pesticides "at all costs" when pests and diseases reach the point where "there is no choice but to treat them." In this way, not only is the control effect poor, but a large amount of pesticide expenditure is also wasted.

Analysis and reflection: First, it is recommended that cotton farmer friends choose a variety with strong resistance in a targeted manner, and when purchasing seeds, be sure to listen more to how your fellow villagers' actual planting situations are. Do not easily believe "what seed sellers say" and do not blindly "follow the advertisements." In pesticide control, the key lies in "early" and the emphasis lies in "fine" (early control, fine spraying). For example, cotton "holey leaves" and "broom cotton" are not caused directly by cotton stink bug damage, but are formed after young tender leaves and tender tips are damaged early and then develop as the leaves grow and extend and the cotton plant grows. The key to control is to begin spraying when "small black spots" are found on the tender leaves or tender tips of the cotton plant (use more spray liquid, spray carefully); generally, spraying 2-3 times a month is sufficient.

Problem two: Many pesticide concerns. There is a strange phenomenon in the current pesticide market: chemical raw materials are becoming more and more expensive, but the selling prices of pesticides on the market are becoming "cheaper" and cheaper, and cotton farmers' pesticide usage is also increasing.

Analysis and reflection: According to the author's investigation and understanding, a large proportion of cotton farmers always like to buy "cheap" pesticides when purchasing them. As a result, grassroots dealers sell them cheaper and cheaper, and cotton farmers use more and more. Upon careful calculation, cotton farmers' pesticide costs have not decreased but increased, and the control effect is also unsatisfactory!