Spatial Layout of Cotton Seed Production Based on Hierarchical Classification: A Case Study in Xinjiang, China

Yingnan Niu,Changshun Zhang,Caixia Zhang,Jia Liu,Mengdong Huang,Yu Xiao,Jingya Liu,Gaodi Xie,Keyu Qin,Yangyang Wang,Shuang Gan

doi:10.3390/agriculture11080759

Abstract

Cotton seed production is the main form of agriculture in Xinjiang, China. Unreasonable distribution of cotton seed production results in a waste of water, land, and human resources. In this study, we established a hierarchical classification integrating method; investigated the spatial suitability of climate, land and water resources, and infrastructure; examined the production risk and planting history; and integrated spatial suitability and production risk and history to produce the spatial layout of seed production for early-maturing cotton (EMC), early–medium-maturing cotton (EMMC), and long staple cotton (LSC) in Xinjiang. The results indicated that the appropriate areas for EMC, EMMC, and LSC seed production are 6.4 × 105, 5.5 × 105, and 3.6 × 105 ha, respectively. By combining the suitable areas of seed production for the three cotton species, we concluded that the superior and most suitable area for producing cotton seed of EMC, EMMC, or LSC is located in the western Tarim Basin. The sub-suitable area for cotton seed production of EMC, EMMC, or LSC is mostly distributed in the western and northern Tarim Basin. This research provides a good solution to the selection of cotton seed production base; however, adoption will depend on the actual preference and market factors.

Highlights

Cotton, an important source of natural fibers to textile industries around the world, is widely planted in more than 70 countries [1,2]
Based on multi-source data, we developed a hierarchical classification method to identify the suitability of cotton seed production bases in this study
Following the research outlined in this paper, the conclusions are as follows: (1) The suitable climate areas for early-maturing cotton (EMC), early–medium-maturing cotton (EMMC), and long staple cotton (LSC) seed production are 2.94 × 107 ha, 2.20 × 107, and 2.21 × 107 ha, respectively

Summary

Introduction

An important source of natural fibers to textile industries around the world, is widely planted in more than 70 countries [1,2]. Compared with 2017, the cotton area in 2018 increased by 210,300 ha, the annual planting area remained at 2.4 to 2.667 million hectares, and the annual cotton seed demand was between 80,000 and 100,000 tons [6]. In regard to whether Xinjiang can continue to play its key role in the industry of cotton in the future, the development of the cotton seed industry is important. The regional distribution optimization of cotton seed production based on regional resources is essential to the development of the seed industry in Xinjiang [7]

Objectives

Methods

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Discussion

Conclusion