What to do before sowing cotton?
2025-09-11 12:23:12
First, the selection of high-quality cotton varieties
1. Strong resistance. The variety should have strong resistance to key pests such as cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera), Spodoptera litura, and red bollworm. It should also be resistant to verticillium wilt and able to withstand high temperatures and humidity.
2. High quality. The variety should have a good seed structure, with well-developed flowers, smooth texture, and a medium height of 130–150 cm. It should have a tower or bell-oval shape, with consistent boll weight, averaging about 6.5 grams per boll. The fiber length should be high (around 45%), and the leaves should be medium-sized with 4–5 bolls per plant and more than three seeds per boll.
3. Proper growth period. The crop should mature within 125–135 days, ensuring it fits well into local growing cycles.
4. High yield and fertility. The variety should produce over 400 kg of seed cotton per mu, making it both productive and economically viable.
In summary, the ideal variety is a combination of high resistance, multiple disease tolerance, superior quality, and high productivity.
Second, preparation before sowing
1. Ditching system. Proper drainage is crucial for healthy cotton growth. A well-designed ditch system includes main ditches, waist ditches, and field ditches. Main ditches should be 0.5–0.6 meters deep and 0.4–0.5 meters wide, while waist ditches are 0.6–0.7 meters deep and 0.5–0.6 meters wide. Field ditches should be about 0.3 meters deep and 0.4 meters wide. Avoid working in wet conditions to prevent waterlogging and soil compaction.
2. Planting layout. Implement a large-scale, wide-row planting model with standardized spacing. For example, rows spaced at 1.2 meters with plants 0.4 meters apart result in 1,380 plants per mu; if the spacing is 0.45 meters, there will be 1,230 plants per mu, and so on. This ensures optimal light exposure and air circulation.
3. Seedbed selection. Choose a plot with fertile, well-drained soil, located in a sunny and sheltered area. Avoid areas prone to dryness or infested with verticillium wilt.
4. Nutrient soil preparation. Prepare nutrient soil by digging topsoil, exposing it to sunlight, and allowing it to decompose. Two to three weeks before sowing, enrich the soil with balanced fertilizers. A recommended mix includes 3–5 kg of 45% compound fertilizer per mu, 0.5 kg of potassium and boron fertilizers, plus 5 kg of cooked cake fertilizer. Mix thoroughly, cover with plastic, and turn daily to ensure even decomposition.
5. Sowing techniques. Sow seeds 1–2 days before the actual sowing date to break dormancy and improve germination. This helps ensure a uniform stand.
Third, timely sowing and strict control for full seedlings
1. Pre-sowing preparations. Level the seedbed surface to ensure even moisture and seed placement. Add 25 grams of trichlorfon per mu to the nutrient soil to prevent pests. Fill the seedbed with fine soil and cover with a thin layer of seed ash—avoid using fire ash, as it can reduce germination.
2. Nutrient bowl size. Use bowls that are about 6 cm in diameter to provide enough space for root development.
3. Disinfection measures. To prevent diseases, disinfect the seedbed, the soil, and the covering ash. This reduces the risk of bacterial infections during early growth stages.
4. Seedbed dimensions. Make the seedbed wider than 1.4 meters and up to 8–10 meters long. This allows for better temperature control under the film, helping to speed up germination.
5. Film coverage. Ensure the sides of the plastic film are sealed properly to prevent moisture loss and maintain a stable microclimate. Keep the seedbeds neat and uniform to promote even emergence.
6. Soil filling. Fill gaps between seedbeds with prepared soil to maintain consistent moisture levels.
7. Timely sowing. Sow when the temperature stabilizes above 15°C, ensuring favorable conditions for germination.
8. Seed sowing technique. Sow only one seed per hole, place it flat, and cover with 1 cm of seed ash. After covering, use a single or double-layer film to protect the seedlings. This results in uniform, healthy, and vigorous seedlings.
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