Cotton water-saving irrigation planting method and application thereof

Abstract

The application provides a cotton water-saving irrigation planting method and application thereof, and belongs to the technical field of crop water-saving planting. Through further research and exploration of the cotton water-saving irrigation method, the cotton water-saving irrigation planting method is determined. In the method, irrigation is carried out after the straw of the previous crop is returned to the field and the field is prepared; water stress is carried out during the seedling stage to the budding stage in the second year after sowing, and irrigation is exempted; after the cotton field is in flower, first irrigation is carried out, and the irrigation amount during the flower and boll stage and the boll shedding stage and the soil humidity are limited. Compared with the conventional irrigation, the method can save 70-120 m 3 of irrigation water per mu, and further improves the yield and economic benefits compared with the existing irrigation technology. The application also provides the application of the above method in the cotton planting in a drought and water shortage area, and provides technical support for the development of the cotton water-saving planting industry in the Hexi Corridor region of Gansu.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of crop cultivation technology, and more specifically to a water-saving irrigation method for cotton cultivation and its application. Background Technology

[0002] The Hexi Corridor boasts a unique geographical location, with cotton-producing counties (cities) separated by deserts and Gobi, forming a distinctive oasis agricultural irrigation area. The cotton-growing region has an average annual temperature of 8.0–9.4℃, a daily temperature range of 15.1–17.5℃ from May to September, a frost-free period of 140–170 days, an effective accumulated temperature ≥10℃ of 3100–3600℃, annual sunshine hours of 2800–3300 hours, a sunshine rate of 73%, annual precipitation of 39–79.3 mm, and annual evaporation exceeding 2460 mm, exhibiting a typical continental climate. The soil is primarily Zibo desert soil and brown desert soil, deep and fertile with excellent water and fertilizer retention, conducive to cultivation. The region is served by the Shule River, Heihe River, Halten River, and Shiyang River systems, and irrigation is guaranteed by the melting glaciers of the Qilian Mountains, providing exceptionally favorable natural conditions for developing the cotton industry. Due to abundant light and heat resources and large temperature differences between day and night in the cotton-growing areas, which are conducive to the synthesis and accumulation of dry matter, the climate in these areas is dry with little rainfall. Cotton diseases and pests are less prevalent, and the cotton fibers are white, low in sugar and moisture, and of superior quality. This region is a high-quality long-staple cotton producing area in my country.

[0003] However, in recent years, the retreat of glaciers in the Qilian Mountains and the rising snow line have led to a gradual decrease in the upstream water flow of rivers such as the Shule River, Dang River, Hei River, and Shiyang River within the region. Coupled with high temperatures, high evaporation rates, and a continuous decline in groundwater levels, the contradiction between agricultural water use and agricultural production has become increasingly prominent. Traditional cotton irrigation methods result in significant water waste and low water use efficiency. Major cotton-producing areas are severely affected by drought, leading to extended irrigation cycles and widespread delays in the second and third irrigations. Some cotton-growing areas can only be irrigated once or twice with river water, and the interval between irrigations exceeds 30 days in most areas, resulting in water shortages and poor irrigation outcomes in the mid-to-late stages. Therefore, promoting and applying water-saving cotton planting technologies is of paramount importance.

[0004] Existing technologies also include studies on the water sensitivity and water stress of cotton at different growth stages, indicating that cotton is highly sensitive to water shortage during the initial flowering stage, moderately sensitive during the sowing-emergence, budding, and full-blown stages, and mildly sensitive during the full-boiling stage. Water stress can be applied based on these distinctions. However, applying water stress based on the existing water sensitivity classifications still cannot achieve the goal of high yield and high economic benefits.

[0005] Therefore, how to explore the specific methods of water stress based on existing technologies and develop a high-yield, high-economic-efficiency water-saving irrigation method remains a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved by those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of this, the present invention provides a water-saving irrigation method for cotton cultivation and its application. Through further exploration of water-saving irrigation methods for cotton, the water-saving irrigation method of the present invention has been determined. In this method, irrigation is carried out after the previous crop straw is returned to the field and the land is prepared. Water stress is applied during the seedling-budding stage after sowing in the second year, eliminating the need for irrigation. The first irrigation is carried out after the cotton field shows signs of flowering, and the amount of irrigation water and soil moisture are limited during the flowering and boll-opening stages. Using this method for cotton irrigation cultivation can save 70-120 cubic meters of irrigation water per mu compared to conventional irrigation. 3 Compared with existing water-saving technologies, this method further shortens the cotton growth cycle and increases pre-frost flowering rate, yield, and economic benefits. It provides technical support for the development of the cotton industry in the Hexi Corridor region of Gansu.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: A water-saving irrigation method for cotton cultivation includes the following steps: (1) Land preparation and cultivation: After the previous crop is harvested, the straw is crushed and returned to the field. The land is deeply plowed to a depth of 25-30 cm. After the soil is leveled, irrigate 70-80 m³ of water per mu before the land freezes. 3 ; (2) Sowing: Before sowing in the second year, shallow rotary tillage, harrowing and pressing, and cotton sowing in a wide and narrow row staggered manner, followed by mulching; (3) Water management during the reproductive period: A: Seedling and budding stages: Apply water stress to seedlings during the seedling and budding stages to avoid irrigation; B: From flowering to boll opening: After the cotton field shows signs of flowering, the first irrigation is carried out. Afterward, the amount of irrigation and the irrigation cycle are adjusted according to the growth of cotton and the wilting of leaves to ensure that the soil moisture content is 60-70% during the flowering period. From the late boll-forming stage to the boll opening stage, water stress is applied to reduce the number of irrigations and maintain the soil moisture content at 40-50%.

[0008] Preferably, in step (1), the cultivated land is irrigated with 80m³ of water per mu before freezing. 3 .

[0009] Preferably, the wide row spacing in step (2) is 40-66cm and the narrow row spacing is 10-40cm.

[0010] Preferably, the first irrigation volume in step (3) from the flowering and boll-opening stage is 50-60 m³. 3 / mu.

[0011] Preferably, the total irrigation amount from the flowering and boll-opening stage to the boll-opening stage in step (3) is 240-300 m³. 3 / mu.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide the application of the above-mentioned water-saving irrigation method for cotton cultivation.

[0013] As can be seen from the above technical solution, compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: This invention re-explores water-saving irrigation methods for cotton cultivation in the Hexi Corridor region of Gansu Province, establishing a new water-saving planting method. This method breaks through the teachings of existing technologies by not irrigating during the seedling and budding stages, adopting a complete water stress approach. However, during the boll-forming and tassel-opening stages, irrigation is reduced compared to existing technologies, with a slight decrease in irrigation volume to achieve incomplete water stress. The method also determines the soil moisture content at each stage and the total irrigation volume for the entire growth cycle. Using this method for cotton irrigation, compared to conventional irrigation, 70-120 m³ of irrigation water can be saved per acre during the growing season. 3 Moreover, compared with existing water-saving technologies, it increases yield and pre-frost flowering rate, thus maximizing economic benefits. Detailed Implementation

[0014] The technical solution of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention. Example 1

[0015] In 2022, a water-saving irrigation planting experiment of "Longmian No. 3" cotton was carried out in Suzhou Town, Dunhuang City, including the following steps: (1) Land preparation and cultivation: After the previous crop is harvested, the straw is crushed and returned to the field. The land is deeply plowed to a depth of 30cm. After the soil is leveled, 80m³ of water is irrigated per mu before the land freezes. 3 ; (2) Sowing: Before sowing in mid-to-late April of the second year, shallow rotary tillage, harrowing and pressing, cotton sowing is carried out in a staggered manner with narrow rows of 10cm and wide rows of 66cm, and mulching is carried out after sowing; (3) Water management during the growing season: A: Seedling and budding stages: Apply water stress to seedlings during the seedling and budding stages to avoid irrigation; B: From flowering to boll opening: After the cotton field shows signs of flowering, the first irrigation is carried out, followed by a second irrigation 19 days later, and then a third irrigation 23 days later. Each irrigation volume is 60m³. 3 / mu, ensuring soil moisture content of 60% during flowering period; from late boll formation to fluff opening, apply appropriate water stress with one irrigation of 60m³. 3 / mu, maintaining soil moisture content at 40%, with a total irrigation volume of 240m³ from the flowering and boll-forming stage to the fluff-opening stage. 3 / mu. Example 2

[0016] In 2022, a water-saving irrigation planting experiment of "Zhongmian 113" cotton was carried out in Huangqu Town, Dunhuang City, including the following steps: (1) Land preparation and cultivation: After the previous crop is harvested, the straw is crushed and returned to the field. The land is deeply plowed to a depth of 30cm. After the soil is leveled, 70m³ of water is irrigated per mu before the land freezes. 3 ; (2) Sowing: Before sowing in mid-April of the second year, shallow rotary tillage, harrowing and pressing, cotton sowing is carried out in a staggered manner with narrow rows of 20cm and wide rows of 50cm, and mulching is carried out after sowing; (3) Water management during the growing season: A: Seedling and budding stages: Apply water stress to seedlings during the seedling and budding stages to avoid irrigation; B: From flowering to boll opening: After the cotton field shows signs of flowering, the first irrigation should be carried out, with an irrigation volume of 60m³. 3 / mu, followed by a second irrigation 20 days later, with an irrigation volume of 90m³. 3 / mu; a third irrigation is carried out after an interval of 22 days, with an irrigation volume of 80m³. 3 / mu, ensuring soil moisture content of 70% during flowering period; from late boll formation to fluff opening, apply appropriate water stress with one irrigation of 70m³. 3 / mu, maintain soil moisture content at 50%, and the total irrigation amount from the flowering and boll-forming stage to the boll-opening stage is 300m³. 3 / mu. Example 3

[0017] In 2022, a water-saving irrigation planting experiment of "Zhongmian 113" cotton was carried out in Huangqu Town, Dunhuang City, including the following steps: (1) Land preparation and cultivation: After the previous crop is harvested, the straw is crushed and returned to the field. The land is deeply plowed to a depth of 25cm. After the soil is leveled, 75m³ of water is irrigated per mu before the land freezes. 3 ; (2) Sowing: Before sowing in mid-April of the second year, shallow rotary tillage, harrowing and pressing, cotton sowing is carried out in a staggered manner with narrow rows of 10cm and wide rows of 66cm, and mulching is carried out after sowing; (3) Water management during the growing season: A: Seedling and budding stages: Apply water stress to seedlings during the seedling and budding stages to avoid irrigation; B: From flowering to boll opening: After the cotton field shows signs of flowering, the first irrigation should be carried out, with an irrigation volume of 60m³. 3 / mu, followed by a second irrigation 23 days later, with an irrigation volume of 80m³. 3 / mu; a third irrigation is carried out after an interval of 22 days, with an irrigation volume of 80m³. 3 / mu, ensuring soil moisture content of 75% during flowering period; from late boll formation to fluff opening, apply appropriate water stress with one irrigation of 60m³. 3 / mu, maintaining soil moisture content at 45%, with a total irrigation volume of 280m³ from the flowering and boll-opening stage. 3 / mu. Example 4

[0018] In 2022, a water-saving irrigation planting experiment of "Longmian 10" cotton was carried out in Suzhou Town, Dunhuang City, including the following steps: (1) Land preparation and cultivation: After the previous crop is harvested, the straw is crushed and returned to the field. The land is deeply plowed to a depth of 30cm. After the soil is leveled, 80m³ of water is irrigated per mu before the land freezes. 3 ; (2) Sowing: Before sowing in mid-April of the second year, shallow rotary tillage, harrowing and pressing, cotton sowing is carried out in a staggered manner with narrow rows of 10cm and wide rows of 66cm, and mulching is carried out after sowing; (3) Water management during the growing season: A: Seedling and budding stages: Apply water stress to seedlings during the seedling and budding stages to avoid irrigation; B: From flowering to boll opening: After the cotton field shows signs of flowering, the first irrigation should be carried out, with an irrigation volume of 60m³. 3 / mu, followed by a second irrigation 22 days later, with an irrigation volume of 70m³. 3 / mu; a third irrigation is carried out after an interval of 19 days, with an irrigation volume of 70m³. 3 / mu, ensuring soil moisture content of 60-80% during flowering period; from late boll formation to fluff opening, apply appropriate water stress with one irrigation of 60m³. 3 / mu, maintain soil moisture content at 40-50%, and the total irrigation amount from the flowering and boll-forming stage to the fluff-opening stage is 260m³. 3 / mu.

[0019] Control group 1

[0020] The remaining operations are the same as in Example 1, except for steps (1) and (3): (1) Land preparation and cultivation: without irrigation; (3) Water management during the growing season: A: Seedling and budding stages: Irrigate every 15 days, for a total of two irrigations, each time 60m³. 3 / acre, maintain soil moisture within the range of 55-60%; B: From flowering to boll opening: After the cotton field shows signs of flowering, irrigate for the first time, then irrigate a second time after 15 days, and then irrigate a third time after another 15 days. Each irrigation should be 60m³. 3 / mu, ensuring soil moisture content of 60-80% during flowering period, and irrigating every 15 days from late boll formation to fluff opening period, for a total of 2 irrigations, each with 70m³ of water. 3 / mu, maintain soil moisture content at 40-50%, and the total irrigation amount during the growing season is 440m³. 3 / mu.

[0021] Control group 2

[0022] The remaining operations are the same as those in control group 1, except for step (3)A: the water management during the seedling and budding stages is different: (3) Water management during the growing season: A: Seedling and budding stages: Irrigate once on the 35th day after cotton emergence, with an irrigation volume of 60m³. 3 / acre, maintain soil moisture within the range of 40%;

[0023] Control group 3

[0024] The remaining steps are the same as in Example 2, except for steps (1) and (3): (1) Land preparation and cultivation: without irrigation; (3) Water management during the growing season: A: Seedling and budding stages: Apply water stress to seedlings during the seedling and budding stages to avoid irrigation; B: From flowering to boll opening: After the cotton field shows signs of flowering, the first irrigation should be carried out, with an irrigation volume of 70m³. 3 / mu, followed by a second irrigation 21 days later, with an irrigation volume of 90m³. 3 / mu; a third irrigation will be carried out after an interval of 20 days, with an irrigation volume of 90m³. 3 / mu, ensuring soil moisture content of 80% during flowering period; from late boll formation to fluff opening, apply appropriate water stress with one irrigation of 90m³. 3 / mu, maintain soil moisture content at 60%, and the total irrigation amount during the growing season is 340m³. 3 / mu.

[0025] Control group 4

[0026] Step (1) Irrigate 80 m³ per mu 15 days before sowing. 3 The remaining steps are the same as in Example 3.

[0027] The cotton yield and economic benefits of Examples 1-4 and Control Groups 1-3 were statistically analyzed, and the experimental results are shown in Table 1:

[0028] Note: Calculated based on the local cotton purchase price of 14 yuan / kg in 2022.

[0029] Results Analysis: Compared with Control Groups 1 and 2, Control Group 1 did not experience water stress during the seedling and bud stages, Control Group 2 experienced partial water stress, while Example 1 experienced complete water stress. The results showed that the pre-frost flowering rate of Control Group 1 was only 88.2%, which was much lower than that of Example 1. This may be because excessive watering during the seedling and bud stages led to excessive vegetative growth, resulting in shading in the field and severe flower and bud drop. Although Control Group 2 experienced partial water stress during the seedling and bud stages, controlling the field moisture content to around 40%, which is lower than the 55-70% moisture content of traditional irrigation during the seedling and bud stages, the effect was somewhat improved compared to Control Group 1, but still not as good as Example 1.

[0030] Compared with control group 3, Example 2 also subjected water stress during the flowering and budding stages, but the irrigation operations were different during the flowering and boll-forming stages and the boll-opening stages. The comparison shows that different irrigation amounts and soil moisture control during the flowering and boll-forming stages and the boll-opening stages will affect the yield and the pre-frost flowering rate.

[0031] Compared with control group 4, the main difference in Example 3 was the timing of irrigation before sowing. The results showed that different irrigation times before sowing also affected the yield and the pre-frost flowering rate.

[0032] In summary, compared with traditional non-water-saving irrigation methods (control group 1), the present invention (Examples 1-4) can save 130-160 m³ of irrigation water per acre during the growing season. 3 Furthermore, the water stress fully mobilizes the cotton's own water regulation capacity, accelerates the downward growth of cotton roots, improves the utilization rate of groundwater, reduces leaf transpiration, accelerates the cotton growth process, and increases the pre-frost flowering rate and yield.

[0033] The various embodiments in the specification are described in a progressive manner, with each embodiment focusing on the differences from other embodiments. The same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referred to each other.

[0034] The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables those skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A water-saving irrigation method for cotton cultivation in the Hexi Corridor region of Gansu Province, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: (1) Land preparation and cultivation: After the previous crop is harvested, the straw is crushed and returned to the field. The land is deeply plowed to a depth of 25-30 cm. After the soil is leveled, irrigate 70-80 m³ of water per mu before the land freezes. 3 ; (2) Sowing: Before sowing in the second year, shallow rotary tillage, harrowing and pressing, and cotton sowing in a wide and narrow row alternating pattern, with a row spacing of 40-66cm for wide rows and 10-40cm for narrow rows; cover with film after sowing; (3) Water management during the reproductive period: A: Seedling and budding stages: Apply water stress to seedlings during the seedling and budding stages to avoid irrigation; B: From flowering to boll opening: After the cotton field shows signs of flowering, the first irrigation should be carried out, with an irrigation volume of 50-60 ml. 3 / mu, and then adjust the irrigation amount and irrigation cycle according to the cotton growth and leaf wilting to ensure that the soil moisture content is 60-70% during the flowering period. From the late boll-forming stage to the boll-opening stage, water stress is applied to reduce the number of irrigations and maintain the soil moisture content at 40-50%. The total irrigation amount from the flowering and boll-forming stage to the boll-opening stage is 240-300m³. 3 / mu.

2. The water-saving irrigation method for cotton cultivation in the Hexi Corridor region of Gansu Province according to claim 1, characterized in that, Step (1) involves irrigating 80m³ of water per mu of farmland before it freezes. 3 .

3. The application of the water-saving irrigation method for cotton planting in the Hexi Corridor region of Gansu Province as described in any one of claims 1-2 in cotton planting.

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