Salt Leaching with Brackish Water during Growing Season Improves Cotton Growth and Productivity, Water Use Efficiency and Soil Sustainability in Southern Xinjiang

Low water use efficiency and soil salinization are two main factors limiting cotton production in southern Xinjiang. A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of brackish irrigation levels on growth, yield water–salt dynamics Xinjiang, so as provide a theoretical experimental basis for development utilization water. There were three levels: W1 (75 mm + 80%ETc), W2 (150 80%ETc) W3 (240 at seeding stage (S1), budding (S2) flowering (S3), with an amount 450 during spring CK (the local reference level) (10 treatments total). The salt used 3 g·L−1. Film-mulched drip experiments observe aboveground dry matter, yield, distribution, well other indicators. results showed that applications S3 can improve moisture distribution root zone. accumulation harvest W3S3 reduced by 39.5% 2.8% compared W3S1 W3S2, respectively. More frequent reduce soil’s total dissolved solids (TDS), avoid exceeding tolerance threshold 4.8 g kg−1 lead higher matter yields. obtained highest 5685 kg ha−1, which increased 39.59%, 7.85% 11.25% W3S1, W3S2 CK, amount, less (WUE), following order > S2 S1 various growth stages. lowest WUE 0.64 kg·m−3. Comprehensively considering retention suppression, efficiency, 240 stages, 80%ETc irrigation, is recommended sustainable