On July 7th, the summer heat period begins, marking the peak of the hottest time of the year. This season, which spans from the beginning of the hot weather to the end of the great heat, is characterized by high temperatures and significant rainfall in many northern regions. Precipitation becomes more concentrated during this time, while southern China, Southwest China, and the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau are also experiencing their monsoon rainy season. However, droughts often occur in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, greatly affecting agriculture and the early implementation of drought prevention measures.
During this period, thunderstorms associated with tropical storms bring much-needed rain for crops like rice, but they can also damage economic crops such as cotton, soybeans, and vegetables. Farmers must be vigilant and manage their fields carefully.
In terms of agricultural activities, mid-season rice has entered the booting stage, and timely application of panicle fertilizer is essential based on crop development. For single-season late rice, tilling should be done promptly, and seedlings should receive "marriage manure" about five to seven days before planting. Cotton fields require immediate attention—pruning must not be delayed, especially as most cotton areas are approaching the flowering and bolling stages. Fertilization, pruning, and removal of old leaves are crucial to balance nutrient distribution, improve air circulation, and enhance the microclimate within the crop canopy.
The flowering and bolling phase is the most active growth period for cotton, requiring large amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Approximately 60% of the total nitrogen uptake occurs during this time, along with over half of the phosphorus and potassium needed for the maturation process. Managing water and nitrogen levels effectively is key to reducing flower and boll loss. High-yielding cotton varieties benefit from precise top-dressing strategies, including applying additional fertilizers at critical growth stages.
Top-dressing typically involves applying 10–15 kg of urea per mu, with an additional 5 kg of potassium chloride if the soil lacks potassium. Potassium application helps increase boll production, especially for insect-resistant cotton, where potash use should be 30% higher than for regular varieties. Fertilizer should be mixed thoroughly and followed by irrigation to prevent volatilization or leaf burn. Simply sprinkling urea on the surface without covering it is inefficient and can harm the crop.
Top-dressing practices should be tailored to local conditions. In the Huanghuai and Haimian cotton regions, excessive use of N and P fertilizers has led to diminishing returns, while organic inputs are insufficient, and deficiencies in boron and zinc are common. Farmers should follow a balanced approach: apply the first dose of fertilizer during early flowering, the second during full flowering, and adjust as needed later. For weaker-growing plants, foliar sprays of urea and potassium dihydrogen phosphate can be applied every 7–10 days for 2–3 times.
In the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, 25–30% of nitrogen is used for full-dressing, with 15–20% reserved for top-dressing. Foliar sprays of urea and potassium dihydrogen phosphate are also recommended for weakly growing crops.
In Xinjiang, top-dressing is closely integrated with irrigation. In ground-irrigated fields, 20–25% of nitrogen is applied during flowering, while drip-irrigated fields receive fertilizer according to crop needs, with no more than 2 kg/mu (in pure nutrients). These localized strategies ensure optimal growth and yield under varying environmental conditions.
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