The Department of Crop Production Management of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, along with other relevant expert groups, has recently issued technical guidance for the mid-to-late stage production of three cash crops: sugar beets, cotton, and sugarcane. The guidance focuses on pest and disease control, which is a critical step to ensure high yields and quality.

Sugar Beet Pest and Disease Control (Late Stage)

The late stage of sugar beet growth is crucial for root and sugar content development. Key diseases to manage are Cercospora leaf spot, root rot, and powdery mildew.

Cercospora leaf spot: Spray with carbendazim, fentin acetate, polyoxin, etc.

Root rot: Use carbendazim or hymexazol for root drenching, and promptly remove diseased plants to prevent spread.

Powdery mildew: Methyl thiophanate suspension concentrate is a good option.

For pests, focus on controlling aphids, beet armyworms, and cabbage loopers.

Aphids: Use imidacloprid, flonicamid, etc.

Beet armyworms: If resistance appears, switch to different pesticides to improve control effectiveness.

Cabbage loopers: General insecticides are usually effective.

Cotton Pest and Disease Control (Late Stage)

The late stage of cotton growth is key for yield formation and quality improvement, but also a period of frequent pest and disease outbreaks. Control strategies vary by region.

Northwest Inland Cotton Region

Monitor for diseases like boll blight. Spray with wettable powder formulations of carbendazim, chlorothalonil, methyl thiophanate, or mancozeb. Green control methods are encouraged for pests like spider mites, thrips, and whiteflies.

Yellow River Basin Cotton Region

The focus is on plant bugs and beet armyworms. For bollworms, if the number of larvae exceeds 10 per 100 plants, promptly apply emamectin benzoate or chlorantraniliprole.

Yangtze River Basin Cotton Region

Control pests such as silverleaf whiteflies, beet armyworms, and bollworms. For silverleaf whiteflies, use bifenthrin or spirotetramat. For bollworms, options include chlorantraniliprole, lufenuron, indoxacarb, and flubendiamide. Integrated pest management, including the use of biopesticides and biological attractants, is recommended.

Sugarcane Pest and Disease Control (Mid-to-Late Stage)

The mid-to-late stage of sugarcane growth is the peak period for multiple concurrent pest and disease threats, which severely impact yield and sugar accumulation.

Key Diseases

Top rot, brown stripe, red rot, and rust. For severe outbreaks, use foliar sprays of chlorothalonil, carbendazim, methyl thiophanate, or pyraclostrobin.

Key Pests

Stem borers and armyworms: Apply foliar sprays with active ingredients like chlorantraniliprole, abamectin, emamectin benzoate, or cartap.

Thrips and woolly aphids: Promptly eliminate pest hotspots in the fields. Apply foliar sprays with thiamethoxam, imidacloprid, or pirimicarb.

Integrated Control Suggestions

For fields with multiple concurrent pests and diseases, a scientific mix of "fungicide + insecticide + foliar fertilizer + wetting agent" is recommended. Use plant protection drones or motorized high-pressure sprayers for unified control.

Apply pesticides in the early morning before 10 AM or in the afternoon after 4 PM. In fields with large-scale lodging due to typhoons, special attention should be paid to rodent control.