The Effects of Water and Salt Stresses on Growth, Yield and Quality of Cotton in Southern Xinjiang

Abstract

【Objective】 Soil salinity and water scarcity are the dominant abiotic stresses facing agricultural production in many regions across Xinjiang in China. In this paper, we present the results of an experimental study on their combined effect on cotton under film-mulched drip irrigation. 【Method】 The experiments were conducted at the Irrigation Test Station of the First Division of Xinjiang Alar Corps. It consisted of two irrigation amounts: 22.5 mm (W1) and 45 mm (W2), and three soil salinity treatments with soil salt content at 0.2% (S1), 0.4% (S2), 0.6% (S3), respectively. In each treatment, we measured the growth index and cotton seed yield. 【Result】 Water was the dominant factor determining the formation of cotton yield. The yield was the highest in S1+W2, reaching 7502.85 kg/hm2. Water and salt affected cotton growth index, aboveground dry matter accumulation, and dry matter accumulation at the boll-opening stage significantly, reducing dry matter mass by 52.39% and 48.89%, respectively, compared to the CK (without water and salt stress). 【Conclusion】 Water and salt stresses impact cotton growth index and aboveground dry matter accumulation significantly. Irrigation amount is the dominant determinant of cotton yield composition. Although salt stress inhibits cotton dry matter accumulation, depending on salt content, it can significantly improve cotton harvest index. Our results show that W1 can be used as an improved irrigation for cotton in heavy saline alkali soils where there is no sufficient water for irrigation, while for the light to medium saline alkali soils, reducing irrigation water could result in a significant loss in seed yield.

Keywords

• cotton
• southern xinjiang
• mulched drip irrigation
• water and salinity stress
• yield
• quality