Proper application of ethephon can help promote cotton boll development, causing the bolls to open 7 to 10 days earlier. This can increase yield by 6.4% to 10.2%, and boost income by 26 to 40 yuan per mu. However, there are several important considerations when using this chemical:

1. Effectiveness Check: Ethephon available in the market comes mainly in two forms: aqueous and oily solutions. Before use, it's essential to test its effectiveness. A small amount of the original solution should be poured onto a concrete surface. If it produces a lot of foam, it is effective. If the liquid forms a precipitate, it can be heated and shaken with warm water (70-80°C). Once the precipitate dissolves, it won’t affect the performance of the product.

2. Chemical Properties: Ethephon is acidic and will rapidly degrade if mixed with alkaline substances. Therefore, it should not be combined with any alkaline pesticides or diluted with water from sources like pit ponds. Ethephon releases ethylene gas at pH levels above 3.8. After dilution, the pH may change, so it must be applied immediately with the correct equipment; otherwise, its effectiveness could be reduced.

3. Field Selection: It’s best used on fields with overly green, late-maturing, or intercropped cotton, as well as summer-sown varieties. Avoid applying it to normal-growing cotton that shows signs of early aging, as this could lead to premature wilting and lower yields. Also, avoid using it on seedlings for breeding purposes, as it may reduce germination rates.

4. Application Timing: Ethephon needs to be decomposed and release ethylene in temperatures above 20°C. Dry and hot weather improves its efficacy. Generally, it should be applied 20 days before the first frost, when 80% of the cotton has formed bolls, around 40 to 45 days after flowering, and when the temperature is above 20°C. If rain occurs within 12 hours of spraying, reapplication is necessary. In the Huanghuai region, the best time to spray is around October 5th.

5. Concentration: For general cotton fields, mix 100–150 grams of the concentrated solution with 60 kg of water, resulting in a 0.15% to 0.25% spray solution. For fields with heavy vegetative growth or those needing faster boll opening, the concentration can be slightly increased, but it should not exceed 0.3%.

6. Spraying Technique: It’s recommended to spray only once in late cotton fields with excessive vegetative growth, as repeated applications may damage young bolls. The optimal timing is during mid to late September, focusing on the middle and lower bolls, and then again in early October, targeting the lower bolls that have started to open. Since ethephon is absorbed slowly, it should be sprayed directly onto the bolls. Be sure to remove already opened bolls before spraying to prevent contamination and maintain cotton quality.

In summary, proper usage of ethephon can significantly enhance cotton production, but careful attention to application methods, timing, and environmental conditions is crucial for achieving the best results.

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