Application and benefit analysis of straw block in seedling transplanting of cotton

In order to reseach the application of Straw Block (SB) utilized agricultural residuals as raw materials on seedling and transplanting of crops, the effect of SB on the plant growth, dry matter partitioning, yields and economic benefits of transplanted cotton were studied in this experiment, plastic block (PB) and direct sowing (DS) as contrast. The results showed that SB increased significantly the rate of emergence, made the convalescent period shorter about 7 days and the transplant survival rate increased 8.8% compared with PB, and this also resulted in significant increase of dry matter accumulation, especially that of reproductive organs increased in 1.5 folds, and lint yield increased 11.5% than PB and 17.5% than DS. For the yield component, boll number per plant of SB increased 7.5% and 23.3% than PB and DS respectively, whiling lint weight was no significant differences from PB and was 5.8% more than DS. No significant differences were observed in lint percentage among these 3 models. Further benefit analysis showed that net income per hectare increased by 735 yuan than SB and 1 904 yuan than DS by using SB in cotton production system, these benefit were mainly from significant increases of yield, markable decreases of seed amount, relatively small proportion for block cost accounting in total investment and lower labor costs.