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The first 40 days from the emergence of the cotton plant to the soil surface determine the fate of the whole season. Three critical mistakes made in this period and their solutions.
We are in the middle of May. When you look at the cotton fields, seeing those fresh, delicate seedlings swaying in the wind warms the heart of every producer. However, don't be fooled by this peaceful view above the ground; Right now, there is literally a "war for survival" under the ground and under the leaves of the plant.
In the agricultural literature, the period from the emergence of cotton to the soil surface is called the "Critical First 40 Days" . During this period, the plant builds the root system, stem thickness and immune infrastructure that it will need in adult life. It is not possible to compensate for the mistakes made in these 40 days, even with tons of fertilizer you will throw in August.
Here are the 3 traps that farmers fall into most frequently these days (mid and late May) and the recipes for salvation with the RTS Seed vision:
The sudden rise of the weather to 30 degrees in May creates a great panic in the farmer. When the delicate leaves of the seedling slightly bend their neck from the heat at noon, the grower tends to immediately turn on the water.
Hidden Danger: If the temper (moisture) under the ground is still there and you give water from the surface just because the weather is hot, you will make the roots of the plant lazy. The taproot, which should go deep, stops going down when it finds the water on the surface.
Conclusion: When the hellish 45-degree heat of July arrives, these superficial-rooted plants collapse in an instant and shed all their combs.
What should be done? Check the tempering by digging the soil 15-20 cm. Encourage the plant to go deep into its roots by putting it under a controlled stress of thirst. The aggressive rooting ability in the genetics of RTS Seed varieties is designed to translate this stress into yield.
If you enter the field right now and look at the top growth point (growth cone) of the seedling or under the leaves with a lens, you will probably see tobacco lice or aphids called "Thrips".
Hidden Danger: Most farmers delay spraying by saying, "When the plant grows, they throw them away". Whereas, thrips suck the freshest sap from the plant. The seedling, whose growth point is sucked, cannot go to the paint, its leaves take on a silvery color, curl and remain almost dwarf (Petrification). The pause in these first 40 days means a loss of at least 50-100 kg per decare in the harvest.
What should be done? Surveillance (observation) should be done very strictly. When the economic harm threshold (EZE) is reached, it should be intervened immediately with specific (selective) drugs that do not kill beneficial insects.
May is the month of weed control and aerating the soil. Tractors enter the intermediate hoe.
Hidden Danger: If the tiller's feet are set too close to the plant row or too deep than necessary, the lateral capillary roots of the plant that it has formed with that difficulty are cut like razors. The plant whose root is cut cannot take the nutrients in the soil and its development stops.
What should be done? Hoeing should be done superficially and at a distance that will not damage the root collar of the plant. The goal is only to break the cream layer, allow oxygen to enter the soil and suffocate the weed.
Agriculture is a partnership with nature, and your greatest assurance in this partnership is the seed you plant. RTS Seed's superior cotton varieties (such as Kalina, Firosa) survive this first 40-day "Critical Period" much faster than their competitors thanks to their High Vigor (Riding energy) properties.
The sooner the plant gets stronger and thickens its stem, the less harm to it from insects and heat stress will do. You can only overcome the danger of shock in the field with a genetics that understands the language of the field.
We wish you a prosperous and damage-free May!