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Cotton holds a significant position among cash crops in China, with Xinjiang serving as the primary cotton‐growing region within the country. Agricultural practices involving plastic mulching have gained importance. However, the presence of residual plastic film affects the growth of cotton seedlings as well as the soil environment. Our study aimed to explore the impact of residual plastic film accumulation on the growth of cotton seedlings and the associated soil water‐salt environment. This was done through a barrel planting experiment, utilizing soil from cotton fields with varying durations of mulching. The study showed that when the mulching period exceeded 12 years (residual plastic film content of 260.77 kg hm−2), residual plastic film had a significant impact on cotton seedling growth and the soil environment. Residual plastic film reduces the seedling germination rate of cotton by up to 11.11% (7 days after irrigation, 15 years of film mulching, residual plastic film content of 309.88 kg hm−2). It also impedes the growth of cotton seedlings; plant height, stem thickness, and leaf area were reduced by 34.52%, 10.73%, and 37.18%, respectively (19 days after irrigation, 15 years of film mulching, residual plastic film content of 309.88 kg·hm−2). Compared with the treatment without residual plastic film, the shallow soil water content in the T5 treatment decreased by 1.19% (10 days after irrigation, 15 years of film mulching, residual plastic film content of 309.88 kg·hm−2). Residual plastic film in cotton fields subjected to long‐term mulching obstructs the normal growth and development of cotton seedlings while also impacting the transport of soil water and salt. Therefore, we recommend adopting biodegradable mulch or regularly recycling residual plastic film within mulched areas to prevent its accumulation and subsequent negative impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The scientific use of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) to improve the production capacity of saline–alkali soil is critical to achieve green agriculture and sustainable land use. It serves as a foundation for the scientific use of CMC to clarify the water and salt transport characteristics of CMC-treated soil. In this study, a one-dimensional soil column infiltration experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of different CMC dosages (0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8 g/kg) on the infiltration characteristics, infiltration model parameters, water and salt distribution, and salt leaching of saline–alkali soil in Xinjiang, China. The results showed that the final cumulative infiltration of CMC-treated soil increased by 8.63–20.72%, and the infiltration time to reach the preset wetting front depth increased by 1.02–3.96 times. The sorptivity (S) in the Philip infiltration model and comprehensive shape coefficient (α) in the algebraic infiltration model showed a trend of increasing first and then decreasing with CMC dosage, revealing a quadratic polynomial relationship. The algebraic model could accurately simulate the water content profile of CMC-treated soil. CMC enhanced the soil water holding capacity and salt leaching efficiency. The average soil water content, desalination rate, and leaching efficiency were increased by 5.18–15.54%, 21.17–57.15%, and 11.61–30.18%, respectively. The effect of water retention and salt inhibition on loamy sand was the best when the CMC dosage was 0.6 g/ kg. In conclusion, the results provide a theoretical basis for the rational application of CMC to improve saline–alkali soil in arid areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Irrigation agriculture, which is commonly applied in the arid area in Northwest China, faces multiple threats, including drought, shortage of freshwater supply to irrigation districts and soil salination. Reducing salinity damage to plant growth and, improving irrigation water productivity with ionized brackish water are crucial for sustaining the agricultural production in the region. In the current study, we determined the responses of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) growth, yield and, water productivity for several irrigation amounts and ionized treatments at southern Xinjiang, China. We applied five drip irrigation treatments: (W1, 262.5 mm; W2, 337.5 mm; W3, 412.5 mm; W4, 487.5 mm; and W5, 562.5 mm) of non-ionized and ionized brackish water, resulting in total of 10 treatments, (NIW1, NIW2, NIW3, NIW4, NIW5, IW1, IW2, IW3, IW4 and IW5). The experimental design incorporated 10 irrigation treatments in a randomized block design with four replicates. Results demonstrated the improvements in plant height, leaf area index, shoot dry matter, boll number per plant and chlorophyll content resulting from the ionized treatment. Moreover, the ionized treatment effectively reduced salt accumulation amount from late seedling stage to harvest by 12.8%−65%, especially in 562.5 mm of ionized brackish water treatment. The maximum cotton yield was obtained in 487.5 mm of ionized brackish water treatment, with increases of an average of 19% compared to 487.5 mm of non-ionized brackish water treatment. Water use efficiency increased significantly under the ionized brackish water treatments. A quadratic relationship was observed between irrigation amount and the cotton yield. Based on the soil salt, cotton yield and irrigation water use efficiency, the irrigation amount was optimized at 487.5 mm for ionized brackish water-drip irrigation-plastic film mulching systems. This study provides valuable guidance on the use of brackish water irrigation to improve water productivity while maintaining an acceptable cotton yield in the arid area. • Ionized technology is an ecologically-safe and simple for brackish water treatment. • Field experiments tested cotton responses to irrigation ionized brackish water and irrigation amount. • Ionized treatment decreased soil salt accumulation and improved water use efficiency. • Future work will focus on understanding the mechanisms that affect seed cotton yield and water use efficiency through the ionized treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cotton is an important raw material, and its production has a profound impact on global economic and social development. Developing a further understanding of the optimal growing environment for cotton would help establish a reasonable management system and improve seed cotton yield. In the present study, we established a water-fertilizer coupling mathematical model based on the comprehensive analysis of existing field experimental data; this model was used to determine the optimal water and fertilizer requirements when the seed cotton yield reached a maximum in different regions. In addition, the grey relational degree between the climate factors and seed cotton yield during the cotton-growing period were analyzed using grey relational analysis, including average air pressure (AAP), sunshine duration (SD), average relative humidity (ARH), average maximum temperature (MAXT), average temperature (AT), average minimum temperature (MINT), and rainfall (RF). The results showed that the optimal irrigation levels were determined as 675.61 mm for southern Xinjiang and 345.59 mm for northern Xinjiang. In addition, the ideal fertilizer application rates (N −P −K) were found to be 150.26–115.66–76.28 kg/ha for southern Xinjiang and 290.32–162.57–72.22 kg/ha for northern Xinjiang. These optimal practices resulted in yield potentials of 7140.30 kg/ha for northern Xinjiang and 8693.69 kg/ha for southern Xinjiang. Simultaneously, AAP, MAXT, SD, AT, and ARH exhibited a strong influence on seed cotton yield in Xinjiang. Conversely, RF and MINT had minimal impact on seed cotton yield. This research determined the optimal water and fertilizer requirements and highlighted the significance of climate factors in Xinjiang agricultural regions. These findings offer a scientific foundation and practical guidance to enhance seed cotton yield, water and fertilizer efficiency, optimize management practices, and address climate fluctuations during the cotton-growing season. • Water–fertilizer–yield relationships of cotton explained using quadratic models. • Grey relational analysis used to develop a model to improve cotton yield. • Fertilizer and water use differed in regions showing different maximum yields. • Climatic factors showed a high grey relational degree with yield in Xinjiang. • Rainfall and average minimum temperature had little effect on cotton yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]