What are the causes of and control measures for cotton bud and boll shedding?
In cotton production, a large amount of bud and boll shedding often occurs, causing a huge negative impact on yield and, in severe cases, leading to total crop failure for farmers and seriously affecting economic returns. So what causes cotton bud and boll shedding? How should it be controlled? Below, the editor shares with you the causes of and control measures for cotton bud and boll shedding, to reduce bud and boll shedding and achieve high yield.
1. Variety factors
Cotton varieties are diverse, and under the same planting conditions, because of their different [origins], the degree of bud and boll shedding also differs. In addition, tarnished plant bugs and cotton bollworms like to lay eggs on varieties with more fuzz, causing serious damage to buds and bolls and resulting in heavy shedding.
Control measures: When planting, choose smooth-leaf varieties with many buds, strong boll-setting ability and good overall resistance, as these have low adhesion to insect eggs and are not easily knocked off by rain.
2. Fertilizer deficiency
A large part of bud and boll shedding is related to fertilizer deficiency. When nitrogen is lacking, plants become weak and small, and buds and bolls on the outer and top parts shed; too much nitrogen fertilizer causes excessive vegetative growth, inhibits root uptake of other elements, and leads to shedding of buds and bolls due to lack of nutrients. Obvious bud and boll shedding also occurs when phosphorus is lacking. Cotton is sensitive to potassium, and many farmers do not pay attention to applying potassium fertilizer, causing nutritional imbalance in plants and thus bud and boll shedding; boron deficiency in plants can also cause young bud shedding.
Control measures: In order to reduce bud and boll shedding, prevent premature aging of plants and increase yield, fertilize reasonably according to the plant's growth stage to supplement what it needs for growth.
3. Over-dense planting
Too high a planting density, or excessively vigorous plant growth, leads to a closed canopy in the field, which can also cause massive bud and boll shedding; excessive density also often leads to more severe damage from pests and diseases, causing premature aging later on.
Control measures: When planting, use a reasonable density according to soil fertility and variety characteristics; blindly increasing yield through density is not advisable.
4. Pests and diseases
The diseases that cause cotton bud and boll shedding are mainly Fusarium wilt or Verticillium wilt, which are more severe during periods of heavy rain and lead to massive bud and boll shedding. Among pests, cotton bollworm, tarnished plant bug, cotton boll weevil, red spider mite and tobacco whitefly all directly or indirectly cause cotton bud and boll shedding.
Control measures: Attention should be paid to the control of pests and diseases, with prevention as the priority. For diseases, spray a fungicide once before rainfall, which can provide excellent prevention. Pest control should be done early, and a combination of physical and chemical control methods can be used to eliminate pest damage.
The above is an introduction to the causes of and control measures for cotton bud and boll shedding. We hope it helps you. To learn more related knowledge, please follow us.