Cotton seedlings are not long really leaves

The main cause behind the phenomenon of "headless cotton" is a tiny but destructive pest known as the cotton thrips, which is one of the most damaging pests in cotton cultivation. Among various species, the tobacco thrips are the most prevalent. These pests are extremely small and hard to spot with the naked eye, often requiring a magnifying glass to identify them on the underside of leaves. Thrips feed on young cotton plants using their sucking mouthparts, primarily targeting the epidermis of leaves and growing tips. When infestation is light, affected leaves show silver-gray spots or small blemishes on the backside, and may become curled or deformed. In severe cases, the damage can lead to the death of seedlings, resulting in what's called "headless cotton." This occurs when the first and second true leaves are damaged, causing the main stem to die off and the plant to grow into a long, weak stalk without proper development. The life cycle of the thrips typically spans 5 to 6 generations per year. During winter, they overwinter in soil cracks, clods, plant debris, and around unharvested onions or garlic. As temperatures rise in early May, they begin moving into cotton fields, with peak damage occurring between mid-May and mid-June. To manage this pest effectively, several control methods are commonly used: 1. **Agricultural Control:** In late autumn and early winter, deep plowing and irrigation help reduce weed populations and remove fallen leaves, thereby decreasing the insect’s breeding sites. 2. **Seed Treatment:** Cotton seeds can be coated with insecticides. For untreated seeds, applying 50% methyl parathion or phorate at the time of sowing can provide protection against early infestations. 3. **Chemical Control:** Spraying solutions such as 40% omethoate diluted at 2000 times, 50% malathion diluted at 1000 times, or 20% acephate diluted at 2000 times are effective in controlling thrips during active infestation periods. By combining these strategies, farmers can significantly reduce the impact of thrips on cotton crops and prevent the occurrence of headless cotton. Regular monitoring and timely intervention are key to successful pest management.

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