In Shandong, the largest cotton-growing province in East China, there are reports of a yellow blight outbreak in some fields, which growers are linking to the use of a certain seed variety. A major storm containing hail, rain and high winds during the June 25 - 26 period damaged cotton, vegetable and grain crops in Hebei Province -- hail of up to 5 - 35 millimeters in diameter was reported, along with wind gusts of up to 7 - 8 gale force. An earlier hailstorm hit the Shenze County area of Hebei destroying a few cotton fields.
In the South, low temperatures, high humidity and heavy rainfall have caused a great deal of anxiety. In Anhui Province, farmers in the cotton belt of Feixi reported over two weeks of daily rain, with one storm pounding the area with 7 to 8 inches of precipitation. These conditions have resulted in disease and weak seedlings. In the Dongzhi area, plant growth is slower than the previous year, and a pest outbreak has also occurred.
In the South, low temperatures, high humidity and heavy rainfall have caused a great deal of anxiety. In Anhui Province, farmers in the cotton belt of Feixi reported over two weeks of daily rain, with one storm pounding the area with 7 to 8 inches of precipitation. These conditions have resulted in disease and weak seedlings. In the Dongzhi area, plant growth is slower than the previous year, and a pest outbreak has also occurred.
