Effects of DPC on Agronomic Traits and Economic Characters of Machine-Harvested Cotton in the Yellow River Valley of China and Chemical Control Techniques

[Objective] The aim was to investigate the effects of DPC chemical controlling technique on agronomic traits, yield and quality of machine-harvested cotton in the Yellow River Valley of China, and clarify the reasonable control period and the application amount of DPC. [Method] The new machine-harvested cotton variety Hengmian HD008 was used as the test material, and 3 different DPC treatments were set. [Result] DPC significantly reduced plant height and branch length, reduced branch angle and leaf area, so the rational control can effectively shape the ideal plant type of machine-harvested cotton. DPC had significant effects on yield and yield components, and the proper amount of DPC could increase the number of bolls during hot days, the number bolls in autumn and the total number of bolls. It increased the boll weight and seed index, but decreased lint percentage decreased, and proper amount of DPC could increase the yield. DPC significantly increased the specific breaking strength of fibers, and proper control could improve the uniformity of fibers, but other indexes had no significant influence. [Conclusion] According to the requirements of machine harvest to the agronomic traits of cotton and the growth characteristics of cotton plant, chemical control could begin after floral bud emergence in cotton about every 10 d, and the spraying amount can be controlled according to the growth amount of the main stem. The daily growth amount of plant height should be controlled at 1.5-1.8 cm, and the plant height should be within 75-90 cm.

A Study of Mechanization of Cotton Harvesting in India and Its Implications

Cotton is one of the most important crops throughout the history of India and it also plays an important role in social and economic aspects of the Indian society in the present age. Recent technological advances and trade liberalization have made India a major player in international cotton markets. In the year 2011-2012, India was the world＇s second largest producer, consumer and exporter of cotton. The increasing role of the Indian cotton sector in international markets is a direct challenge to other major players like the US. Within this context, a better understanding of the Indian cotton sector and the impact of mechanization on cotton cultivation are needed. The overall objective of this paper is to assess the competitiveness of Indian cotton producers and potential implications for India as a competitor in the world cotton market if it mechanizes harvesting of cotton. The results demonstrate that the net income of the Indian cotton farmers will increase considerably with the mechanization of cotton harvesting. But the adoption of the practice of harvesting cotton by mechanical means is possible only if efforts from many private and public agencies come together. In that scenario, the cotton production in India can increase considerably which can impact the international markets.