Recently, the eastern part of Anhui province has experienced relatively favorable weather conditions, with high temperatures, ample sunlight, and occasional rainfall that is beneficial for cotton development, particularly for fruit setting and boll formation. However, due to the extremely adverse weather during the first half of July, local cotton crops are still in a recovery phase.

According to local reports, the current cotton plant height averages around 160 cm, with some variation of about 100 cm across different fields. The number of fruit branches per plant ranges from 10 to 20, and there are approximately 40 to 60 buds per branch. Due to the prolonged rainy weather in early to mid-July, many cotton fields have been affected. As of now, about 50% of the crop area has already been harvested. The number of bolls per plant remains low, with only 2 to 10 bolls observed on some plants. A small portion of the lower bolls is beginning to mature, and farmers have started sporadic picking. If the weather remains stable in the coming weeks, local cotton yields are expected to reach 400 to 500 pounds per acre. Farmers are hopeful that the purchase price will be at least 3.5 yuan per kilogram, which would provide a good return on their investment. This season’s challenges have made it crucial for farmers to monitor weather patterns closely and adjust their harvesting strategies accordingly. With improved conditions and careful management, the outlook for the local cotton industry remains cautiously optimistic.