Molecular Soil Biology 2025, Vol.16, No.1, 27-36 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/msb 29 their geometric average yield (GMP) and stress resistance index (STI) are good (Sun et al., 2023b). These are excellent varieties selected under normal and arid environment, which are suitable for drought prone areas. Another approach is genetic modification, such as introducing the OsSIZ1 gene from rice into cotton. This transgenic cotton exhibits enhanced photosynthesis and growth rate under high-temperature drought conditions, even increasing yield with reduced watering (Mishra et al., 2017). 3.2 Genetic engineering of cotton Genetic engineering can make cotton more adaptable to drought conditions. In addition to the OsSIZ1 gene mentioned above, other studies have used the DgCspC gene from the radiation-resistant bacteriumDeinococcus gobiensis, with remarkable results. Transgenic cotton plants grown taller, had larger leaves, and exhibited improved physiological health in water-stressed and saline-alkaline environments, significantly stronger than non-transgenic control plants (Figure 1) (Xia et al., 2022). 3.3 Adapt to local conditions If you want cotton to grow well, you have to choose varieties suitable for local conditions. For example, researchers in Pakistan tested 40 cotton varieties, compared them under normal and drought conditions, and finally screened out 10 varieties with good performance, including VH-144 and IUB-212 (Ullah et al., 2022). Genomics tools are increasingly used. Genome wide association analysis (GWAS) can find out which genes or SNPs are related to the yield of cotton under drought. In China, a study based on 150 cotton varieties found some important genetic markers (Sun et al., 2023a). These results can be directly used in breeding and improve the growth performance of cotton in arid areas. 4 Climatic and Environmental Factors 4.1 Microclimate and local climate conditions To grow cotton in arid areas, you should first understand the local microclimate. Microclimate refers to climate conditions that are more local and have more detailed impacts than large-scale weather. It may vary depending on terrain, wind direction or vegetation density. For example, the change of cotton planting density will change the light, temperature and humidity inside the cotton field. A study from Xinjiang, China, found that when planted more densely, the cotton canopy can block more light, and at the same time increase the humidity and reduce the temperature in the field. These changes have an impact on the number and weight of cotton bolls and affect the final yield (Zhang et al., 2021). In addition to planting density, planting time should also be determined according to local climate. In a simulation of the Southern Plateau of the United States, early sowing can make cotton use of more suitable weather at key growth stages, so the median yield is higher (Mauget et al., 2020). If farmers have the local microclimate data, they can make more reasonable arrangements in sowing, planting, irrigation and other aspects. 4.2 Heat resistance and water shortage response In arid areas, cotton is vulnerable to high temperature and water shortage. Some studies have simulated the Root Zone Water Quality Model (RZWQM2) and found that proper reduction of irrigation (also known as under irrigation) can save water resources without affecting the yield. Under the situation of higher temperature and higher carbon dioxide concentration in the future, this irrigation method can also improve water use efficiency and bring economic benefits (Chen et al., 2023). It is also important to choose cotton varieties that are more resistant to high temperatures. For example, in a simulation of the lowland desert in Arizona, scientists found that if the temperature rises too fast in the future, cotton production will be reduced during flowering or Bolling. However, if the varieties with heat resistance are replaced, and the planting time is changed or the water use efficiency is improved, a certain yield can still be maintained (ayankojo et al., 2020).
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ4ODYzNA==