Beginning of Autumn Farming

During Beginning of Autumn, crops across Northeast China enter the final critical stage of yield formation. Maize moves from grain filling toward maturity, rice enters grain filling, and soybeans move from seed filling toward maturity, while field management enters its final push and preparations against early frost begin.
Maize management from grain filling to maturity. Spring maize in Northeast China moves from grain filling toward maturity during Beginning of Autumn, with kernels becoming full and beginning the transition toward maturity. This is the final stage determining thousand-kernel weight and ultimate yield. Management centers on ensuring adequate water, because drought during grain filling can sharply reduce thousand-kernel weight. Where soil moisture is insufficient, irrigation should be applied promptly at 20–30 cubic meters per *mu*. Pest and disease control enters its final stage, with corn borer, aphids, leaf spot, northern corn leaf blight, stalk rot, and other problems requiring attention; corn borer damages ears and stalks and should be a particular focus during grain filling. Premature senescence should be prevented through foliar application of monopotassium phosphate + amino-acid water-soluble fertilizer, prolonging leaf function and promoting grain filling. Early-frost prevention also begins, especially at high latitudes such as northern Heilongjiang and eastern Inner Mongolia. Early frost may occur from late August to early September and can seriously threaten maize maturity. Early-maturing cultivars should be selected, early maturity promoted, and harvest preparations made in advance. Management from grain filling to maturity directly affects thousand-kernel weight and final yield.
Rice management during grain filling. Rice in Northeast China enters grain filling during Beginning of Autumn, with kernels becoming full in a critical stage for determining thousand-kernel weight. Management centers on keeping fields moist through a shallow water layer or moist irrigation without allowing them to dry, because cutting off water too early during grain filling can leave kernels poorly filled. 粒肥 is applied, mainly potash, at 3–5 kilograms of potassium chloride per *mu* to promote full grain development. Rice blast, sheath blight, planthoppers, and other pests and diseases enter their final control stage. Panicle-neck blast is one of the most important rice diseases and requires tricyclazole after full heading for protection. Early-frost forecasts also need attention in high-latitude areas. If early frost is predicted, deeper irrigation can be used to retain warmth or cold-resistant agents may be applied. Grain-filling management directly affects thousand-kernel weight and final yield.
Soybean management from seed filling to maturity. Soybeans in Northeast China move from seed filling toward maturity during Beginning of Autumn, with seeds becoming full and beginning the transition toward maturity. This is the final stage determining both seed number and thousand-seed weight. Management centers on applying 结荚肥, mainly potash, at 3–5 kilograms of potassium sulfate per *mu* to promote full seed development; controlling soybean pod borer, aphids, leaf spot, frogeye leaf spot, Sclerotinia stem rot, and other problems entering their final treatment stage, with soybean pod borer requiring particular attention during seed filling because it damages pods; and topping at the proper time to control excessive vegetative growth and direct nutrients toward pods. Management from seed filling to maturity directly affects seed number and thousand-seed weight.
Early-frost preparedness. After Beginning of Autumn, high-latitude areas of Northeast China, including northern Heilongjiang and northeastern Inner Mongolia, need to begin monitoring early-frost forecasts. Early frost—frost occurring before early September—can have an enormous effect on maize, rice, and soybean maturity and yield. Mild frost can leave grain poorly filled and reduce thousand-kernel weight; severe frost can kill entire plants and cause large yield losses. Preventive measures include selecting early-maturing cultivars to avoid the risk period, using techniques that promote earlier maturity such as foliar application of monopotassium phosphate, irrigating before forecast frost to retain heat, and harvesting promptly before early frost arrives.
Pasture management. Pastures in eastern Inner Mongolia enter seed maturity and livestock grazing continues. Herders need to control grazing intensity and reserve forage for winter.

During Beginning of Autumn, Northwest China enters a critical stage of autumn management. Spring wheat enters harvest, cotton moves from flowering and boll formation into boll opening, and orchards enter maturity and harvest.
Spring-wheat harvest. In the Hexi Corridor of Gansu and Yellow River irrigation districts of Ningxia, spring wheat enters harvest during Beginning of Autumn, with ears turning fully yellow, kernels becoming full and hard, and physiological maturity being reached. Farmers seize clear weather for harvest, with combines operating day and night and completing cutting, threshing, and cleaning in a single operation. After harvest, grain is dried promptly and may only be stored once moisture falls below 13%, ensuring that every kernel reaches the granary. The spring-wheat harvest window generally lasts only 5–10 days, so weather forecasts require close attention. If rainfall is expected, harvesting needs to be completed before the rain arrives. Harvesting too early reduces thousand-kernel weight, while harvesting too late can lead to grain shattering or sprouting in wet conditions. After harvest, fields are immediately plowed in preparation for the next crop, whether autumn sowing or fallow.
Cotton management from flowering and boll formation to boll opening. Cotton in Xinjiang moves from flowering and boll formation into boll opening during Beginning of Autumn. Flowering and boll setting enter their later stage and early cultivars begin opening bolls. This is the final stage determining boll number and fiber quality. Management centers on applying 花铃肥 at 5–10 kilograms of compound fertilizer per *mu* to promote boll development and fiber-quality formation, while controlling nitrogen use to prevent excessively green, late-maturing growth. Pruning operations such as topping, removal of lateral growing points, and removal of unwanted shoots should already be fully completed to control vegetative growth. Cotton bollworm, aphids, cotton spider mites, Fusarium wilt, Verticillium wilt, and other problems enter their final treatment stage, with cotton bollworm requiring particular attention because it damages bolls. Water supply must still be maintained: water demand decreases during boll opening, but irrigation should not be stopped too early because this can reduce boll weight and fiber quality. Management from flowering and boll formation to boll opening directly affects boll weight and fiber quality.
Orchard maturity and harvest. Apples, fragrant pears, grapes, and other fruit crops in southern Xinjiang enter maturity and harvest. Early apple cultivars begin harvest, including “嘎啦” and “美国八号”, which mature in early August. Fragrant pears enter harvest, with Korla fragrant pears maturing in mid- to late August. Grapes enter maturity and harvest, with early table-grape cultivars beginning harvest in mid-August and wine grapes harvested from late August into September. Growers need to focus on harvesting at the proper stage according to fruit maturity, because harvesting too early produces insufficient flavor while harvesting too late can lead to fruit drop or declining quality. Postharvest management includes prompt grading, packing, storage or sale, together with postharvest pruning and fertilization to restore tree vigor. Fruit diseases also require attention during harvest, including apple ring rot, grape gray mold, and pear scab.
Specialty crops. Potatoes around Dingxi, Gansu, enter maturity and harvest, with early cultivars beginning to be lifted when aboveground plant parts begin turning yellow, followed by prompt drying and storage. Goji in Ningxia moves from peak harvest toward its final stage. Processing tomatoes in Xinjiang enter peak maturity and harvest.

During Beginning of Autumn, North China enters a critical stage of autumn management. Summer maize advances from tasseling and silking toward grain filling, spring maize moves from grain filling into maturity, and cotton moves from flowering and boll formation into boll opening, while the “七下八上” flood-control period approaches its end.
Summer-maize management from tasseling and silking to grain filling. Summer maize in North China moves from tasseling and silking into grain filling during Beginning of Autumn. Earlier-sown fields have already entered grain filling, while later-sown fields remain in tasseling and silking. This is a crucial stage for determining both kernels per ear and thousand-kernel weight. Management centers on ensuring sufficient water, because tasseling and silking are the crop’s critical water-demand stage and drought during grain filling can reduce thousand-kernel weight. Where soil moisture is insufficient, irrigation should be applied immediately at 30–40 cubic meters per *mu*. 穗肥 is applied at 5–8 kilograms of urea per *mu* to promote kernel development and grain filling. Under cloudy, rainy, or excessively hot conditions during tasseling and silking, artificial supplementary pollination may be used to improve seed set. Corn borer, aphids, leaf spot, northern corn leaf blight, stalk rot, and other problems enter key treatment windows. Management from tasseling and silking through grain filling directly affects kernels per ear and thousand-kernel weight.
Spring-maize management from grain filling to maturity. Spring maize in North China moves from grain filling toward maturity during Beginning of Autumn, with kernels becoming full and beginning the transition toward maturity. Management centers on securing water supply because drought during grain filling can reduce thousand-kernel weight; controlling corn borer, aphids, leaf spot, and other pests and diseases; and preventing premature senescence through foliar fertilizer applications that prolong leaf function and promote grain filling. Management from grain filling to maturity directly affects thousand-kernel weight and final yield.
Cotton management from flowering and boll formation to boll opening. Cotton in North China moves from flowering and boll formation into boll opening during Beginning of Autumn, with flowering and boll setting entering their later stage and early cultivars beginning to open bolls. Management centers on applying 花铃肥 at 5–10 kilograms of compound fertilizer per *mu* to promote boll development; controlling cotton bollworm, aphids, spider mites, and other problems entering their final treatment stage; and maintaining water supply, because although water demand declines during boll opening, irrigation should not be stopped too early.
Orchard maturity and harvest. Apple, pear, peach, and other orchards across North China enter maturity and harvest. Early apple cultivars such as “嘎啦” and “美国八号” begin harvest in early August, early pear cultivars also begin harvest, and harvesting of early peaches approaches its end. Growers need to harvest according to fruit maturity, then promptly grade, pack, store or market fruit and carry out postharvest pruning and fertilization to restore tree vigor. Fruit diseases and pests during harvest also require attention, including apple ring rot, anthracnose, pear scab, and peach aphids.
The final stage of the “七下八上” flood-control period. During Beginning of Autumn, the critical “七下八上” flood-control period in North China approaches its end, but localized heavy rainfall may still occur. Farmers need to continue monitoring weather forecasts and keep field drainage systems unobstructed.
Vegetable management. Open-field vegetables across North China enter rapid growth and peak harvest, with cucumbers, beans, eggplants, peppers, tomatoes, and other summer vegetables reaching the market in large quantities. Autumn-sown vegetables, including autumn Chinese cabbage and autumn radish, begin to be sown.

During Beginning of Autumn, the middle and lower Yangtze enters a critical stage of autumn management. Late rice moves from peak tillering into jointing, middle-season rice advances from heading and flowering into grain filling, and high-temperature midsummer drought conditions continue.
Late-rice management from peak tillering to jointing. Late rice across the Yangtze River basin moves from peak tillering into jointing during Beginning of Autumn, producing large numbers of tillers, while some earlier-transplanted fields have already entered jointing. This is a crucial stage for determining effective panicle number and kernels per panicle. Management centers on maintaining a shallow water layer of 3–5 centimeters without allowing fields to dry; applying 分蘖肥 at 5–8 kilograms of urea per *mu* to promote tillering; carrying out 晒田控苗 when tiller numbers reach the target by draining and drying fields for 7–10 days to suppress unproductive tillers, promote deeper rooting, and encourage young-panicle differentiation; and controlling rice blast, sheath blight, planthoppers, stem borers, and other pests and diseases entering treatment windows. Management from tillering to jointing directly affects effective panicle number and kernels per panicle.
Middle-season rice management from heading and flowering to grain filling. Middle-season rice across the Yangtze River basin advances from heading and flowering into grain filling during Beginning of Autumn, with young panicles emerging, flowering and pollination taking place, and grain filling beginning afterward. This is a critical stage for determining seed-setting rate and thousand-kernel weight. Management centers on maintaining a shallow water layer of 3–5 centimeters without interruption; applying 穗肥, mainly potash, at 3–5 kilograms of potassium chloride per *mu* to promote flowering, seed set, and grain development; and monitoring weather closely. Persistent cloudy and rainy conditions during heading and flowering can impair pollination and seed set, while temperatures of 35°C or above can render pollen inactive and increase unfilled grains. Rice blast, sheath blight, planthoppers, stem borers, and other pests and diseases enter key treatment periods. Panicle-neck blast requires one application of tricyclazole before heading and another after full heading. Management from heading through grain filling directly affects seed-setting rate and thousand-kernel weight.
High-temperature midsummer drought and irrigation management. High-temperature 伏旱 conditions continue across the middle and lower Yangtze during Beginning of Autumn, with low rainfall, high temperatures, and strong evaporation. Rice enters critical water-demand stages: middle-season rice is in heading and grain filling, while late rice is in tillering and jointing. Adequate water must therefore be secured. Farmers need to allocate irrigation resources rationally and give priority to rice during these critical stages. Under extreme heat, irrigation should also be used for cooling, with 5–10 centimeters of deeper water applied during heading and flowering when temperatures are high in order to lower field temperature.
Pest and disease control. High temperatures and humidity during Beginning of Autumn bring rice pests and diseases into a high-incidence period. Key targets include rice blast, particularly panicle-neck blast, treated with tricyclazole or isoprothiolane; sheath blight, treated with validamycin or difenoconazole + propiconazole; rice planthoppers, treated with imidacloprid or buprofezin; stem borers, treated with dimehypo or Bt preparations; and rice leaf roller, treated with abamectin or emamectin benzoate. Farmers need to strengthen field inspections and intervene promptly when pests or diseases are detected.
Vegetables and aquaculture. The Yangtze River basin remains in a high-temperature period, and open-field vegetable production is affected by heat and drought, requiring stronger irrigation and shading for cooling. Autumn-sown vegetables, including autumn Chinese cabbage, autumn radish, and autumn lettuce, begin sowing and nursery raising. In aquaculture, the hot season requires stronger aeration, water-quality management, and disease prevention.

During Beginning of Autumn, agricultural activity across Southwest China enters a critical stage of autumn management. Middle-season rice advances from heading and flowering into grain filling, spring maize moves from grain filling toward maturity, and potatoes enter maturity and harvest.
Middle-season rice management from heading and flowering to grain filling. Middle-season rice in Southwest China enters this stage during Beginning of Autumn, with young panicles emerging, flowering and pollination taking place, and grain filling beginning afterward. This is a critical stage for determining seed-setting rate and thousand-kernel weight. Management centers on maintaining a shallow water layer of 3–5 centimeters without allowing fields to dry; applying 穗肥, mainly potash, at 3–5 kilograms of potassium chloride per *mu*; controlling rice blast, sheath blight, planthoppers, and other pests and diseases entering key treatment periods; and monitoring weather closely. Temperatures of 35°C or above during heading and flowering can render pollen inactive, in which case deeper irrigation should be used to lower field temperature.
Spring-maize management from grain filling to maturity. Spring maize in Southwest China moves from grain filling toward maturity during Beginning of Autumn, with kernels becoming full and beginning the transition toward maturity. Management centers on securing water because drought during grain filling can reduce thousand-kernel weight; controlling corn borer, aphids, leaf spot, and other pests and diseases; and preventing premature senescence through foliar fertilizer applications that prolong leaf function. Management from grain filling to maturity directly affects thousand-kernel weight and final yield.
Potato maturity and harvest. Spring potatoes in the main producing areas of Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan enter maturity and harvest during Beginning of Autumn. Aboveground plant parts begin to yellow and tubers reach physiological maturity. Farmers seize clear weather to harvest, followed by prompt drying, grading, and storage. Harvesting too early means tubers have not fully enlarged and yield remains low, while harvesting too late increases the risk of rotting or damage from underground pests.
Orchard and tea-garden management. Citrus-producing areas across Southwest China enter fruit enlargement and require stronger water and nutrient management through 膨果肥, mainly potash, together with control of citrus red mites, leaf miners, canker, anthracnose, and other pests and diseases. Autumn tea-garden management continues through autumn-tea picking, pruning, fertilization, and pest and disease control.

#### (1) Mainland South China
Late-rice management from peak tillering to jointing. Late rice across South China moves from peak tillering into jointing during Beginning of Autumn, producing large numbers of tillers while some earlier-transplanted fields have already entered jointing. This is a critical stage for determining effective panicle number and kernels per panicle. Management centers on maintaining a shallow water layer of 3–5 centimeters; applying 分蘖肥 at 5–8 kilograms of urea per *mu*; beginning 晒田控苗 once tiller numbers reach the target; and controlling rice blast, sheath blight, planthoppers, stem borers, and other pests and diseases entering treatment windows.
Peak longan harvest. Longan across South China enters peak harvest during Beginning of Autumn, with fruit fully mature, flesh plump, and sugar content high. Farmers seize clear weather for picking, grading, packing, and marketing. The longan harvest window generally lasts only 7–10 days. Harvesting too early leaves sugar levels insufficient and quality poor, while harvesting too late can lead to fruit drop or declining quality through fruit cracking.
Tropical-fruit management. Mango harvest enters its final stage. Immediately after harvest, postharvest pruning and fertilization are carried out to restore tree vigor and promote autumn-shoot emergence. Bananas in Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan move from flowering and fruiting into fruit development and require stronger water and nutrient management through potash applications that promote fruit development. Citrus enters fruit enlargement and requires control of excessive summer-shoot growth together with citrus red mites, leaf miners, canker, and other pests and diseases.
Typhoon preparedness. South China remains in an active typhoon period during Beginning of Autumn. The strong winds and torrential rain associated with typhoons can lodge rice, cause fruit drop, damage greenhouse structures, and harm aquaculture. Farmers need to follow typhoon warnings closely and prepare in advance by harvesting mature crops, reinforcing greenhouse structures, checking drainage systems, and preparing aquaculture operations against flooding.
Vegetables and aquaculture. Open-field vegetables across South China enter rapid growth and peak harvest. Temperatures remain high and pests and diseases are common, requiring stronger control. In aquaculture, the hot season requires stronger aeration, water-quality management, and disease prevention, while typhoon season brings continued flood risk.
#### (2) Taiwan
Rice: In central Taiwan—including Changhua, Yunlin, and the Chianan Plain—the second rice crop moves from peak tillering toward jointing during Beginning of Autumn. In southern Taiwan, particularly the Kaohsiung–Pingtung region, the second crop also moves from peak tillering toward jointing. In northern Taiwan, including Taoyuan and Hsinchu, the second crop enters tillering management.
Vegetables: During Beginning of Autumn, summer vegetables across Taiwan enter peak harvest, while sowing and nursery raising begin for autumn vegetables.
Fruit trees: Longan enters peak harvest, mango harvesting moves into its final stage, citrus enters fruit enlargement, and bananas enter flowering and fruiting.
Tea: Autumn management continues in tea gardens across central and southern areas such as Nantou and Chiayi, including autumn-tea picking, pruning, fertilization, and pest and disease control. Autumn management also continues in northern tea districts such as Wenshan and Sanxia.
Fisheries: Fishing continues in waters around Taiwan during Beginning of Autumn. Typhoon season also continues and coastal areas maintain typhoon preparedness.
Farmer’s proverbs and folk customs: Taiwanese folk tradition preserves the saying “立秋晴，一秋晴；立秋雨，一秋雨”—the weather on the day of Beginning of Autumn is used to predict the weather trend of the entire autumn. Another saying, “立秋涼，秋後熱”, refers to the return of hot weather after Beginning of Autumn, the so-called “秋老虎”. There is also the custom of “立秋吃西瓜”, eating watermelon at Beginning of Autumn, symbolizing “啃秋” and relief from the lingering summer heat.