Study Reveals Mechanisms of Cotton Yield Decline under Long-term Fertilization
2026-05-13
A research team led by Prof. ZENG Fanjiang from the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has revealed the mechanisms driving cotton yield increases under short-term fertilization and subsequent yield declines under long-term fertilization. The findings were published in Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment on April 1, 2026.
In reclaimed desert agroecosystems, fertilization can enhance crop yields. However, long-term chemical and organic nutrient inputs may also trigger soil acidification, alkalinization and stoichiometric imbalances. Therefore, balancing short-term yield increases with long-term soil health is crucial for sustaining desert agricultural systems.
Focusing on cotton and soil in reclaimed desert farmland (2010–2020) along the southern edge of the Taklimakan Desert, the researchers established three fertilization treatments: high manure fertilizer (HMF; 360 kg N ha⁻¹ urea, 120 kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹ superphosphate, 30 t ha⁻¹ farmyard manure), normal manure fertilizer (NMF; 200 kg N ha⁻¹ urea, 60 kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹ superphosphate, 21 t ha⁻¹ farmyard manure), and a non-fertilized control (CK).
The researchers conducted systematic analyses on the physicochemical properties, nutrient stocks, micronutrient availability, and cotton growth traits in both topsoil (0–10 cm) and subsoil (10–20 cm) layers.
The results showed that long-term fertilization significantly increased soil organic carbon and available nutrient content in the topsoil layer but led to the depletion of organic carbon in the subsoil.
This phenomenon of “topsoil enrichment and subsoil depletion” of carbon weakened the nutrient buffering and water supply potential of the deeper soil, resulting in an initial increase in cotton yield under short-term fertilization, followed by a declining trend under long-term fertilization.
The findings provide a scientific basis for optimizing nutrient management in desert oasis farmlands.
Read the full article: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2026.110405
Contact
YAN Jingming
Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography
E-mail: 15166470336@163.com