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Optimizing Growth and Yield in Mulched Cotton Through Aerated Subsurface Drip Irrigation in Southern Xinjiang

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  • Yuxi Zhang

    (College of Water Resources and Architectural Engineering, Tarim University, Alar 843300, China
    Key Laboratory of Tarim Oasis Agriculture, Ministry of Education, Tarim University, Alar 843300, China)

  • Baolin Yao

    (College of Water Resources and Architectural Engineering, Tarim University, Alar 843300, China
    Key Laboratory of Tarim Oasis Agriculture, Ministry of Education, Tarim University, Alar 843300, China)

  • Peining Niu

    (College of Water Resources and Architectural Engineering, Tarim University, Alar 843300, China
    Key Laboratory of Tarim Oasis Agriculture, Ministry of Education, Tarim University, Alar 843300, China)

  • Zhu Zhu

    (College of Water Resources and Architectural Engineering, Tarim University, Alar 843300, China
    Key Laboratory of Tarim Oasis Agriculture, Ministry of Education, Tarim University, Alar 843300, China)

  • Yan Mo

    (State Key Laboratory of Simulation and Regulation of Water Cycle in River Basin, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Beijing 100048, China)

  • Fayong Li

    (College of Water Resources and Architectural Engineering, Tarim University, Alar 843300, China
    Key Laboratory of Tarim Oasis Agriculture, Ministry of Education, Tarim University, Alar 843300, China)

  • Sanmin Sun

    (College of Water Resources and Architectural Engineering, Tarim University, Alar 843300, China
    Key Laboratory of Tarim Oasis Agriculture, Ministry of Education, Tarim University, Alar 843300, China)

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of Aerated Subsurface Drip Irrigation (ASDI) on the growth and yield of mulched cotton, aiming to identify the optimal water-air combination pattern for ASDI in cotton cultivation. Conducted during 2021–2022, the experimental setup involved two aeration modes (aerated A 1 and unaerated A 0 ) and four irrigation quotas (W 1 , W 2 , W 3 , and W 4 ), organized in a two-factor randomized block design resulting in eight distinct treatments. The findings revealed that ASDI significantly promoted soil moisture depletion from 0 to 40 cm during the cotton flowering and boll opening stages. Specifically, aerated A 1 reduced soil water content by 5.84% to 7.83% during the flowering stage and 7.45% to 13.39% during the boll opening stage compared to unaerated A 0 . Additionally, both aerating and increasing irrigation quotas not only enhanced the cotton leaf area index (LAI) but also delayed leaf area decay, contributing to prolonged photosynthetic activity. Aerating also favorably influenced the distribution of above-ground biomass in cotton towards budding and boll stages, with the biomass share of buddings, flowers, and bolls averaging 62.98% under aerated conditions versus 62.27% under non-aerated conditions during the boll opening stage. Furthermore, aerating combined with increased irrigation quotas resulted in higher seed cotton yields, with aerated irrigation boosting yields by 1.79% in 2021 and 4.43% in 2022 compared to non-aerated irrigation. This approach also increased cotton’s water demand and average daily water consumption significantly ( p < 0.01). Importantly, aerating improved IWUE, achieving 1.72 kg/m 3 in 2021 and 1.62 kg/m 3 in 2022 for ASDI, versus 1.69 kg/m 3 and 1.57 kg/m 3 for unaerated subsurface drip irrigation, respectively. In conclusion, from a water conservation and yield enhancement perspective, an irrigation quota of 337.4 mm during the reproductive stage under ASDI is recommended as an effective strategy for “one film three tubes and six rows” mulched cotton in Southern Xinjiang.

Suggested Citation

  • Yuxi Zhang & Baolin Yao & Peining Niu & Zhu Zhu & Yan Mo & Fayong Li & Sanmin Sun, 2025. "Optimizing Growth and Yield in Mulched Cotton Through Aerated Subsurface Drip Irrigation in Southern Xinjiang," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-18, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:15:y:2025:i:2:p:135-:d:1563390
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    References listed on IDEAS

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