**Comprehensive Control Techniques for Major Pests in Cotton**
*By Ben Yimin*
Cotton is one of the most important cash crops globally, and managing its pests effectively is crucial for high yield and quality. This article outlines a range of integrated pest management (IPM) techniques to control major cotton pests such as aphids, bollworms, and leafhoppers.
**1. Prevention and Control of Cotton Aphids**
Aphids are among the most destructive pests in cotton fields. Several effective methods can be used to manage them:
- **Seedling Protection Technique**: During the seedling stage, select scattered spots where aphids appear. Apply 40% omethoate or fast Kele at a dilution ratio of 1:5 to 1:10. Mix with water and apply it on the red-green side of the cotton stem, covering a length of 2–5 cm. No need to wrap the entire stem.
- **Drip Application Method**: Use crocodil or omethoate diluted at 1:200. Drip 2–3 drops onto the growth point of each cotton plant. To do this, remove the sprayer’s nozzle, wrap three layers of gauze, and adjust the valve slightly after filling the tank with the solution.
- **Bacterial Sterilization and Washing**: Prepare a mixture of bacterial sterilizer, urea, and neutral detergent in a ratio of 0.1:1:100. Spray thoroughly on both sides of the leaves to prevent disease and kill eggs.
- **Chemical Spraying**: If infestation is severe, use 1500 times diluted fast crack or 40% omethoate. Avoid large-scale pesticide use to protect natural predators. Do not use highly toxic pesticides like methamidophos, carbofuran, or 3911. Always follow safety guidelines to prevent poisoning.
- **Yellow Plate Attraction**: Aphids are attracted to yellow. Place 50x30 cm yellow cardboard coated with transparent plastic and oil to trap winged aphids outside the field.
- **Soil Injection**: In heavily infested areas, apply 15% poisonous racer ear (400–500 ml per mu) mixed with 30–60 kg of soil before the first irrigation. Dig trenches 10–15 cm away from plants, 7–10 cm deep, and cover with water after application.
**2. Control of Cotton Bollworms**
Bollworms cause significant damage to cotton crops. Here are some effective strategies:
- **Planting Corn Traps**: Plant corn near cotton fields to attract moths. Kill them by hand or spray with carbofuran or phoxim.
- **Poplar and Willow Branches**: Use 10–15 poplar branches (65–70 cm long), bundle them tightly, and place them above the cotton plants. Collect moths daily or spray with water to shake them off. Replace every 5–10 days.
- **Sex Pheromone Trapping**: Hang sex attractants on iron wire over a water basin, 1–1.5 cm above the surface. Use old urea bags to hold the attractant. Cover the basin during the day to reduce evaporation and replenish water in the evening. Change the lure every 10–15 days.
- **Black Light Traps**: Install black light traps in cotton fields to capture adult moths.
- **Chemical Control**: Use insecticides such as 15% poisonous ear, 50% phoxim EC, 35% endosulfan, and pyrethroids. Apply when aphid eggs reach 20 per plant or infestation rate exceeds 5%. Spray in the late evening for best results.
- **Option 1**: 15% poisonous ear diluted 1000 times, 50 ml/mu of 50% phoxim EC mixed with 50 kg water, applied between 8–9 PM.
- **Option 2**: 20% Coke 30–50 ml/mu, 35% endosulfan EC 100–130 ml/mu, mixed with 45–60 kg water.
- **Option 3**: 2.5% Kung Fu (pyrethroid) 50–60 ml/mu, mixed with 45–60 kg water. Avoid using ester-based pesticides in heavy infestations.
- **Field Management**: Timely pruning, reducing nitrogen fertilizer, controlling irrigation, and removing tops and outer leaves help reduce bollworm populations.
**3. Prevention and Control of Cotton Leafhoppers (Red Spider)**
Leafhoppers can cause serious damage by sucking sap from cotton leaves. Effective treatments include:
- Use special acaricides such as Chunyu No. 1 + Quick Krypton, Chunyu No. 1 + Broomfly Net, or Chunyu No. 1 + Triclosan, diluted 1500–2000 times. Apply through spot spraying or field treatment. These products not only control spider mites but also help eliminate aphid toxins, increase chlorophyll, and enhance photosynthesis.
- Check the effectiveness five days after application, and reapply if necessary.
**Conclusion**
Integrated pest management is key to sustainable cotton farming. By combining cultural, mechanical, biological, and chemical methods, farmers can effectively control pests while protecting the environment and maintaining crop health. Always follow local regulations and safety protocols when applying pesticides.
*Senior Agronomist: Ben Yimin*
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