Molecular Soil Biology 2025, Vol.16, No.3, 114-125 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/msb 119 6.2 Yield metrics (fiber yield, seed yield, oil recovery) The yield of cotton is generally considered from three aspects: how much fiber there is, how good the seed cotton harvest is, and how much oil can be squeezed out. The average yield of lint cotton in the world is about 800 kg per hectare. If irrigation is used, it can reach up to 3 500 kg, and theoretically even 5,000 kg (Constable and Bange, 2015). Different varieties, planting methods and environments are also different, so the yield fluctuates greatly. Choosing the right density and sowing time can increase the yield of seed cotton and lint cotton by 29% and 26% respectively (Khan et al., 2017). The oil content is also closely related to the variety, generally between 33.4% and 40.28%. The more oil is squeezed, the higher the seed cotton yield is (Eldessouky et al., 2021). If comprehensive management measures are used, not only will the oil be more, but the protein and seed cotton yields can also be increased together (Yang et al., 2017). 6.3 Profitability compared to conventional cotton Compared with ordinary cotton, oil-producing cotton has greater room for profit because of its higher oil yield. If some comprehensive planting strategies are adopted, such as reasonable use of nitrogen fertilizer, not too sparse planting, and selection of good varieties, fiber and oil yields can be increased at the same time without much investment (Khan et al., 2017; Yang et al., 2017). Drip irrigation combined with scientific fertilization not only increases the harvest, but also makes cotton planting more sustainable, especially suitable for water-scarce areas (Kaur et al., 2025). 6.4 Market demand for cottonseed oil and value-added byproducts Cottonseed oil is the second largest source of edible vegetable oil in the world and plays a very important role in ensuring people's oil and grain supply (Sharif et al., 2019). Although it is not as common as soybean oil or rapeseed oil, it is actually nutritious and functional, and market demand is slowly increasing. In addition to oil, cottonseed can also be squeezed into by-products such as protein and cottonseed meal, which can be used as feed and biofuel, with a certain added value (Yang et al., 2017). If the yield of cottonseed oil and by-products can be increased by improving varieties and planting methods, the competitiveness of the entire cotton industry chain will also be enhanced. 7 Environmental and Sustainability Considerations The cultivation of oil cotton is not only for high yield, but also for environmental protection and sustainable development. This section mainly discusses its impact and performance from four aspects: how to use soil and water, how to rotate crops, what impact it has on biodiversity, and its carbon emissions. 7.1 Soil and water resource use efficiency Oil cotton varieties are similar to ordinary cotton, and both have high requirements for water and soil fertility. But now many planting methods can use water and nutrients more efficiently. Methods such as water-deficient irrigation, conservation tillage and precision fertilization can make resources more economical. Studies have found that some genetically modified cotton varieties have more developed root systems and higher water absorption efficiency. For example, drip irrigation plus fertilization during irrigation can reduce water waste by up to 40%, while allowing cotton to better absorb nitrogen fertilizer and avoid nutrient loss. Some farmers also grow legumes (such as mung beans and cowpeas) in cotton fields, which not only increases soil organic matter, but also uses less chemical fertilizers, which is good for the soil (He et al., 2021). 7.2 Contribution to crop rotation and land use optimization Oil-bearing cotton can be well arranged in crop rotation plans to make land use more efficient. In Central Asia, southern Africa, southern India and other places, farmers rotate oil-bearing cotton with legumes. This can maintain soil fertility and reduce pests and diseases. Oil-bearing cotton can also bring double benefits - it produces both fiber and oil, so farmers can earn more per piece of land and be more motivated to plant. This rotation also allows farmers to plant more crops without occupying more land, which can protect forests and prevent land degradation.
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