·NINE SITES EXPERIMENTALS BY COTTON INSTITUTE OF CAAS

Abstract：Power is a new type of plant growth regulator produced by Dong Yang Lianfeng Biological Technology Co.，Ltd. Its effects on cotton growth have been tested by Institute of Cotton, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, in sine sites of the three big cotton growing areas of China, covering four provinces of Henan, Hebei, Shandong, and Jiangsu, and Xinjiang Autonomous Region. The results showed that Power could significantly promote the growth and development of cotton plants. Power increased the number of fruit branches and sympodial internodes, reduced falling of cotton boll. It also affected on the yield factors of the number of bolls, gin turnout, and boll weight, particularly on the number of bolls. Power obviously increased the yield of cotton. Soaking seed and spraying at the initial stage of flowering increased yield of lint by 7.9 kg/mu(8.9%). Soaking seed and spraying at the initial and flourishing stages of flowering increased yield of lint by 8.2 kg/mu(9.3%). It is concluded that the best application timing of Power is at the early stages of growth, i.e. applying Power by soaking seed and spraying 1 to 2 times before flowering.

1． Aim of the experiment
The experiment was conducted to demonstrate the effects of the product of Power on the growth, development of cotton plants and the yield and quality. The results will be considered as the basis of application of Power in cotton growing.

2． Materials and method
Dong Yang Lianfeng Biological Technology Co.，Ltd provided test material of Power. The experiments were conducted by Institute of Cotton, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science. The nine experimental sites were as follows: Anyang and Shangqiu in Henan province, Juye and Lingxian in Shandong province, Weixian in Hebei province, Nanjing and Xuzhou in Jiangsu province, Shihezi and Akesu in Xijiang Autonomous Region. All experiments were carried out according to the same experimental design resented in table 1. The experiments are designed as a completely randomized block with three replicates. Cotton varieties were the main in local areas. Field management was carried out according to the local needs. Actual treatments were as follows:（1）soaking seeds with 1500 time dilute of Power (16 g of Power product for seeds to be sown on one mu of land) for 6 hours and sowing after dried in shady and cool place, （2）Spraying solution of Power at rate of 13 g/mu at bud stage, and at rate of 20g/mu at the initial and flourishing stage, respectively.

Table 1 Experimental design

Note：Application pattern 2 was used in Xuzhou site of Jiangsu province; Application pattern was used in other 8 experimental sites.

1． Results and analysis
3.1 Effects on Yield increase

Table 2 Average yield obtained in nine experimental sites(Kg/mu) and yield increase compared with Control(%)

Note: 1500time dilute, soaking seed for 6hours; 2000time dilute, sprayed on leaves and stems.

The experimental results in 1997 showed that Power increased the yield of cotton in all nine sites. The extent of yield increase in all sites was 4.7～8.2 kg/mu(5.5～9.3% compared with control)，the average of yield increase was 6.9 kg/mu (7.9% compared with control). Three treatments of soaking seed, soaking seed plus spraying at the initial stage of flowering, and soaking seed plus spraying both at initial and flourishing stage of flowering increased cotton yield by 5.5%、8.2% and 9.3% compared with control. The last treatment showed significant increase in cotton yield, but the first treatment of soaking seed only did not show significant increase in yield. Results obtained in five experimental sites in Huanghuaihai cotton area showed that three treatments of soaking seed, soaking seed plus spraying at the initial stage of flowering, and soaking seed plus spraying both at initial and flourishing stage of flowering increased yield by 7.4%、11.2%, and 11.7%，respectively. Of which the last treatment significantly increased the yield. Results obtained in Xuzhousite, Jiangsu province, showed that three treatments increased cotton yield by 3.2%、18.7%, and 和9.7%，respectively and that the last treatment significantly increased the yield. Results obtained in two sites in Xinjiang showed that all the three treatments increased cotton yield by 2.0%、5.1%, and 3.6% and that the second treatment increased cotton yield significantly.

3.2 Effects of Power on yield factors of cotton
Results in all the nine experimental sites indicated that Power affected the boll number, boll weight, and gin turnout. The boll number was affected the most. Results in all nine sites showed that three treatments of soaking seed, soaking seed plus spraying at the initial stage of flowering, and soaking seed plus spraying both at initial and flourishing stage of flowering increased boll number by 0.9 boll /plant, 2.0 boll /plant, and 1.8 boll/plant.
So Power mainly attributed the yield increase of cotton to the increase of boll number due to treatment.

3.3 Effects of Power on the growth and development of cotton plants
Results in all nine sites indicated that Power significantly promoted the growth and development of cotton plants and increased the number of fruit branches, sympodial internodes, and the number of maturity bolls. All three treatments of soaking seed, soaking seed plus spraying at the initial stage of flowering, and soaking seed plus spraying both at initial and flourishing stage of flowering increased the height of cotton plants by 4.7cm, 5.9cm, 7.0cm，respectively; increased the number of fruit branches by 1.3branch/plant, 2.0 branch/plant, and 2.1 branch/plant，respectively; and increased the number of sympodial internodes by 6 node/plant, 7 node/plant, and 5 node /plant. Finally, increased the number of maturity boll by 0.9 boll/plant, 2.0 boll/plant, and 1.8 boll/plant. Application of Lilijiia could reduce falling rate of boll. Results from all nine sites showed that All three treatments of soaking seed, soaking seed plus spraying at the initial stage of flowering, and soaking seed plus spraying both at initial and flourishing stage of flowering reduced the falling rate of cotton boll by 1.4, 4.0%, and 4.0%. Power also improved the quality of cotton fiber.

4． Conclusion
Application of Power could promote the development of cotton plant by increasing the number of fruit branches, sympodial internodes, and the number of bolls, the gin turnout, and the weight of boll. Application of Power by soaking seed plus spraying at the initial stage of flowering, and soaking seed plus spraying both at initial and flourishing stage of flowering could significantly increase yield of lint by 7.9kg/mu(8.9%) and 8.2 kg/mu(9.3%), respectively.
Application of Power should be carried out in the early stages of cotton growth. The better effects could be obtained by soaking seeds plus spraying 1 to 2 times before flowering. Seeds should be soaked by Power solution (800 time dilute) for 6 hrs and then sown after drying in shady and cool place. Spraying should be conducted at bud stage and initial flowering stage using 1000 time dilute of Power at rate of 13-30 ml/mu.

5. Summary of the experiments
5.1 Summary report of Power in cotton by Lab of Cotton cultivation of CAAS, Anyang, Henna.
5.2 Summary report of Power in cotton by Lab of Cotton cultivation of CAAS, Shangqiu, Henna.
5.3 Summary report of Power in Shandong experimental site, Ling County, Shandong.
5.4 Summary report of Power in 1997, in Juye, Shandong.
5.5 Summary report of Power in 1997, in Wei County, Shandong.
5.6 Summary report of Power in cotton by Institute of Economic Crops, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, Jiangsu.
5.7 Summary report of Power in Shandong experimental site, Agricultural Institute of Xuzhou, Jiangsu.
5.8 Summary report of Power in Shandong experimental site, Cotton Institute of Shihezi, Xinjiang.
5.9 Effects of Power, a plant growth regulator, Akesu, Xinjiang.

Conductor: Lab of Cultivation, Cotton Institute of CAAS
Organizer: Mao Shuchun（Head of Cultivation Lab）