China : Analysis of causes of fluctuations in cotton production

Natural Conditions

Soil conditions affection: Unlike other grain crops, cotton has strong endurance on salinity and alkalescence, which could grow well in the region with high soil salinity and alkalescence.

Historically, Heilonggang basin in Hebei, northwest region in Shandong and Binhai region in Jiangsu are the regions with heavier soil salinity, despite low grain yield, cotton planting in these regions performs well with good efficiency, and large-scale cotton production forms important cotton producing areas in China.

Since 1970s of 20th century, after long-term soil improvement, which gradually reduced the saline area, soil salinity continued to shrink, grain yield rapidly increased, comparative benefit of cotton growing lowered, and cotton acreage dwindled.

Affection of climatic conditions: Changes in Light, heat, water, and climate condition will affect the yield and quality of cotton, thereby impacting the regional distribution of cotton production.

In early 1990s of 20th century, climate of Yellow River Basin experienced the changes in insufficient light and temperature wane. In Shijiazhuang, Jinan and Zhengzhou, the average daily temperatures in May and August were 0.1, 0.8 and lower than normal years, respectively, resulting in late germination, late maturation and low yield of cotton crop, particularly the cotton planted between wheat rows. This time the area of cotton field in Hebei, Shandong and Henan provinces in Yellow River Basin declined sharply.

Pest impact: Outbreaks of cotton bollworm and cotton crop disease would change cotton production proceeds, significantly impact cotton yield and distribution.

For example, 1992 underwent serious harm of cotton bollworm. According to statistics of Hebei and Shandong provinces, the average yields were only 346.9 kg/ha and 454.6 kg/ha, respectively, economic efficiency was very low or even fell to negative range, many farmers opted for other crops.

Fibre2fashion News Desk - China