A review has been prepared of cotton crop conditions across the North China Plain and is presented by province as follows:

Hebei

Boading - Crop is developing very fast, reaching 80 to 100 centimeters high, with 12 to 14 fruit branches, 30 to 35 square and 1 to 3 bolls. However, plant bugs are developing and a wilting disease is now spreading (about 5 percent). Plant treatment is now underway.

Cangzhou - The rain on July 10 was followed by very stifling and humid weather, which is unfavorable for cotton development. The cotton field is too wet after previous showers, making field management very difficult.

Feixiang - Normal crop conditions, slower development, plants reaching 80 to 100 centimeters, with 10 fruit branches, 4 to 5 squares and 3 to 4 bolls. Harvest will occur later this year due to a late start of autumn.

Hejian - Frequent rain led to fast development, some reaching more than 100 centimeters, which impacts boll setting. Farmers are applying insecticide to curb the overdevelopment. Crop conditions are just fair, with 8 to 10 fruit branches and 3 to 5 bolls. Some serious plant bugs were noted.

Shandong

Jinxiang - Good crop development, with average height for good varieties reaching 126 centimeters. Farmers are using chemicals to boost development. Cotton has 2 to 6 bolls, but overall growth is 10 to 15 days later than last year. Some wilting is also noted.

Ningjin - Cotton has reached 120 to 130 centimeters with 4 to 5 bolls. The crop is 10 to 15 days behind the previous year.

Henan

Linying - Cotton plants are 50 to 60 centimeters high, 5 to 8 fruit branches, 7 to 10 squares, 2 to 3 flowers and 0 to 1 boll, which are all higher than a year ago. The insect situation is very limited, with the red aphid under control.

Nanyang - Each plant has 14 to 16 fruit branches (14.8 last year), 5.82 bolls (3.9 last year), 4.42 young bolls (3 last year) and 27.28 flowers and squares (27). Crop is 10 days earlier than last year. Without any major weather impact, seed cotton yield is likely to stay in line or surpass the record high 517.6 jin/mu in 2006.

Shanxi

Yuncheng - Very hot and dry conditions now prevail, with irrigation well underway. The early-planted crops now have approximately 10 bolls. Cotton disease is limited.

Shanxi

Cotton has been developing under ideal weather,