Cotton production in the Yellow River Basin of China: reforming cropping systems for ecological, economic stability and sustainable production

Cotton cropping systems are critical for ensuring the stability and sustainability of cotton production, which is of vital importance to both the agricultural and economic sectors of China. This review examines the historical evolution, challenges, and potential reforms of cotton cropping systems in...

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Main Authors: Yuexia Su, Xuewen Wei, Zhanbiao Wang, Lei Gao, Zhenggui Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2025.1615566/full
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author Yuexia Su
Xuewen Wei
Xuewen Wei
Xuewen Wei
Xuewen Wei
Zhanbiao Wang
Zhanbiao Wang
Lei Gao
Lei Gao
Zhenggui Zhang
Zhenggui Zhang
author_facet Yuexia Su
Xuewen Wei
Xuewen Wei
Xuewen Wei
Xuewen Wei
Zhanbiao Wang
Zhanbiao Wang
Lei Gao
Lei Gao
Zhenggui Zhang
Zhenggui Zhang
author_sort Yuexia Su
collection DOAJ
description Cotton cropping systems are critical for ensuring the stability and sustainability of cotton production, which is of vital importance to both the agricultural and economic sectors of China. This review examines the historical evolution, challenges, and potential reforms of cotton cropping systems in Shandong Province, a key cotton-producing region in China. The study highlights the effects of economic, technological, and ecological factors on cotton production in the region, emphasizing the importance of optimizing cotton cropping systems to stabilize production, enhance efficiency, and promote rural revitalization. Based on empirical evidence, the review suggests several innovative approaches, including advanced cotton cultivation systems and large-scale mechanization, designed to enhance the sustainability of cotton farming. Furthermore, the research highlights the critical need to balance cotton cultivation with national food security goals by addressing the challenges of saline and alkaline soils and promoting sustainable cotton industry development in the Yellow River Basin; it further offers forward-looking policy recommendations for Shandong, advocating for the integration of advanced agricultural technologies, the establishment of robust agricultural insurance systems, and the implementation of region-specific strategies to ensure both ecological resilience and economic viability—ultimately positioning cotton farming as a key driver of rural revitalization and green development. The findings of this study provide valuable insights for policy-making, guiding the sustainable development of cotton farming in Shandong and other regions with similar requirements.
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spelling doaj-art-5586b4423fcc4fbb8882a9dc7d4c03fe2025-08-20T03:31:05ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems2571-581X2025-06-01910.3389/fsufs.2025.16155661615566Cotton production in the Yellow River Basin of China: reforming cropping systems for ecological, economic stability and sustainable productionYuexia Su0Xuewen Wei1Xuewen Wei2Xuewen Wei3Xuewen Wei4Zhanbiao Wang5Zhanbiao Wang6Lei Gao7Lei Gao8Zhenggui Zhang9Zhenggui Zhang10Business School, Huaiyin Normal University, Huaiyin, Jiangsu, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Institute of Cotton Research of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, Henan, ChinaInstitute of Western Agriculture, The Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changji, ChinaShandong Agricultural Technology Extension Center, Jinan, ChinaJinan Qinghe Experimental School, Jinan, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Institute of Cotton Research of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, Henan, ChinaInstitute of Western Agriculture, The Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changji, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Institute of Cotton Research of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, Henan, ChinaInstitute of Western Agriculture, The Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changji, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Institute of Cotton Research of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang, Henan, ChinaInstitute of Western Agriculture, The Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changji, ChinaCotton cropping systems are critical for ensuring the stability and sustainability of cotton production, which is of vital importance to both the agricultural and economic sectors of China. This review examines the historical evolution, challenges, and potential reforms of cotton cropping systems in Shandong Province, a key cotton-producing region in China. The study highlights the effects of economic, technological, and ecological factors on cotton production in the region, emphasizing the importance of optimizing cotton cropping systems to stabilize production, enhance efficiency, and promote rural revitalization. Based on empirical evidence, the review suggests several innovative approaches, including advanced cotton cultivation systems and large-scale mechanization, designed to enhance the sustainability of cotton farming. Furthermore, the research highlights the critical need to balance cotton cultivation with national food security goals by addressing the challenges of saline and alkaline soils and promoting sustainable cotton industry development in the Yellow River Basin; it further offers forward-looking policy recommendations for Shandong, advocating for the integration of advanced agricultural technologies, the establishment of robust agricultural insurance systems, and the implementation of region-specific strategies to ensure both ecological resilience and economic viability—ultimately positioning cotton farming as a key driver of rural revitalization and green development. The findings of this study provide valuable insights for policy-making, guiding the sustainable development of cotton farming in Shandong and other regions with similar requirements.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2025.1615566/fullcropping systemcottonagricultural sustainabilityagronomic improvementYellow River Basin
spellingShingle Yuexia Su
Xuewen Wei
Xuewen Wei
Xuewen Wei
Xuewen Wei
Zhanbiao Wang
Zhanbiao Wang
Lei Gao
Lei Gao
Zhenggui Zhang
Zhenggui Zhang
Cotton production in the Yellow River Basin of China: reforming cropping systems for ecological, economic stability and sustainable production
Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems
cropping system
cotton
agricultural sustainability
agronomic improvement
Yellow River Basin
title Cotton production in the Yellow River Basin of China: reforming cropping systems for ecological, economic stability and sustainable production
title_full Cotton production in the Yellow River Basin of China: reforming cropping systems for ecological, economic stability and sustainable production
title_fullStr Cotton production in the Yellow River Basin of China: reforming cropping systems for ecological, economic stability and sustainable production
title_full_unstemmed Cotton production in the Yellow River Basin of China: reforming cropping systems for ecological, economic stability and sustainable production
title_short Cotton production in the Yellow River Basin of China: reforming cropping systems for ecological, economic stability and sustainable production
title_sort cotton production in the yellow river basin of china reforming cropping systems for ecological economic stability and sustainable production
topic cropping system
cotton
agricultural sustainability
agronomic improvement
Yellow River Basin
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2025.1615566/full
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