Molecular Soil Biology 2025, Vol.16, No.1, 27-36 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/msb 28 2 Agronomic Measures for High-Yield Cotton Cultivation in Arid Areas 2.1 Soil preparation To plant cotton in arid areas, first of all, the soil should be well prepared. The problem here is usually that the salt content in the soil is too high, which will affect the growth of cotton. The soil can be improved by furrow sowing combined with plastic film mulching, so that the root environment is more suitable for cotton growth. These practices can reduce the osmotic pressure problem and ion toxicity caused by too high salinity, which is conducive to plant health and increase yield. Planting more densely, applying fertilizer scientifically, and using plant growth regulators can also enhance the resistance of cotton to saline alkali and make cotton grow better (Zhang et al., 2023). Sandy soils are common in arid regions, and nutrients are easily lost, especially nitrogen fertilizer, which is most easily washed away by water. Using traditional broadcast fertilization methods results in a significant amount of fertilizer wasted. A better approach is "side-drain urea application" (SDM), which involves applying fertilizer next to the crop after irrigation. This practice retains nitrogen near the roots, preventing it from escaping. Cotton absorbs more nitrogen, naturally leading to faster growth, more bolls, and higher yields (Shareef et al., 2019). 2.2 Irrigation method Water is a critical resource in arid regions, so it should be used sparingly. Drip irrigation is a very practical method, delivering water directly to the roots, preventing it from being wasted through evaporation or surface runoff. Combining fertilization and irrigation—known as "fertigation"—can achieve even greater results. Using recommended urea dosages with drip irrigation can ensure yield without increasing greenhouse gas N2O emissions (Li et al., 2020). In order to make irrigation more reasonable, the "Decision Support System for Irrigation Scheduling" (DSSIS) can also be used. This system will refer to weather forecast and soil water shortage to arrange when watering is more appropriate. By planting cotton in this way, the cotton yield can be increased by up to 32%, and the cotton yield per ton of aquatic products is also increased by 20%, which is more efficient than the traditional method of relying only on soil moisture sensors (Chen et al., 2020). 2.3 Crop rotation and intercropping If cotton is grown year after year, the soil will become "tired" and prone to pests and diseases. Therefore, it can be rotated with other crops. For example, beans can fix nitrogen, enriching the soil with nitrogen and eliminating the need for constant fertilizers (Shareef et al., 2019). Intercropping with other crops can also help break the pest-disease cycle and provide habitats for beneficial insects, naturally reducing pests. Intercropping also increases organic matter in the soil, improves soil structure, enhances soil microbial activity, and facilitates nutrient cycling. It also enhances water infiltration, making it less susceptible to soil erosion by rainwater and maintaining soil moisture. These factors are beneficial for cotton cultivation in arid regions, ensuring long-term stable and sustainable yields. 2.4 Water management In some areas, groundwater is highly saline, making it unsuitable for direct irrigation. In these cases, desalination can be used to remove the excess salt, making the water suitable for farming. While this technology is costly, it is sometimes the only option in extremely arid areas close to the sea (Chen et al., 2020). In some places, groundwater is too salty to be directly used for irrigation. At this time, seawater desalination technology can be used to remove the excess salt, so that the water can be used for farming. Although the cost of this technology is high, it is sometimes the only way in extreme drought and offshore areas. 3 Selection of Cotton Varieties 3.1 Drought resistant varieties In arid areas, to grow good cotton, varieties must be drought resistant. Cotton materials such as CQJ-5, Xin Lu Zao 45, bellsno, Zhong r 2016 and Nd 359-5 can still maintain high yield under water shortage conditions, and
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