Summer cotton high yield cultivation techniques
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The sowing date for summer cotton should be carefully planned, ideally between May 20th and June 5th, with the latest acceptable time being no later than June 10th. This period ensures that the crop gets enough warmth and sunlight to establish properly.
There are several planting patterns commonly used in summer cotton cultivation. One is intercropping wheat and cotton, which allows for two harvests in a single season. Another is growing oil or vegetable crops alongside cotton, while a third method involves cultivating vegetables such as cabbage together with cotton. These combinations help maximize land use and improve overall productivity.
When it comes to planting methods, full sowing with seedlings is often preferred. Due to the high temperatures during summer, traditional seeding methods can struggle to maintain healthy seedlings. Based on years of experience, using hydraulic seeding—where seeds are sown after watering—has proven to be the most effective way to ensure strong and uniform growth.
Appropriate plant density plays a crucial role in achieving high yields. The general recommendation is to plant between 4,000 to 5,000 seedlings per acre, with each plant developing 8 to 10 fruiting branches. In high-density scenarios, especially when the soil is fertile, up to 6,000 seedlings per acre may be used, with around seven fruiting branches per plant. However, the actual density should be adjusted based on soil quality—fertile soils can support higher densities, while poorer soils require more spacing.
Fertilization is essential for healthy growth. It's important to apply fertilizer as soon as possible after wheat harvest to prevent weed competition. Since base fertilizer application is often too late due to intercropping, early fertilization is necessary. A mix of diammonium phosphate (20 kg), potassium fertilizer (10–15 kg), and micronutrients like boron and zinc (0.5–1 kg) is recommended. To avoid excessive vegetative growth, top-dressing is usually avoided after budding. However, a second round of fertilizer application is needed during the flowering and bolling stage. Urea at 15–20 kg per mu is typically applied early to promote early maturity and prevent late-season problems. Watering in the later stages is not advised, but foliar sprays of phosphorus and potassium can be applied 2–3 times to enhance quality.
Timely field management is key to preventing overgrowth. Early and frequent cultivation, along with proper chemical control, helps maintain healthy plants. This includes regular weeding and monitoring for pests and diseases.
Pest and disease control is also critical. While seedling diseases are generally mild, Verticillium wilt tends to be more severe later in the season. Early detection and timely treatment are essential to minimize damage.
Finally, ripening management is important for maximizing yield and quality. Summer cotton typically has a low pre-flowering rate, so artificial ripening is often necessary. The first method involves applying ethephon between October 5th and 10th to stimulate maturation. The second method is dry ripening, which should occur after October 10th when the average temperature drops below 15°C. Proper ripening not only improves yield but also enhances the quality of the cotton.