To further explore the effects of different soil textures on soil leaching and cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) growth using a combined irrigation and drainage technique and provide a theoretical basis for the improvement of saline alkali land in Xinjiang, we used a test pit experiment to test soil moisture, salinity, soil pH, permeability, cotton agronomic characteristics, cotton yield and quality, and water use efficiency in three soil textures (clay, loam, sand soil) under the combined irrigation and drainage (T1) and conventional drip irrigation (T2). We measured the soil moisture content in different soil layers of clay, loam and sandy soil under the T1 and T2 treatments. Clay and loam had better water retention than sandy soil, and the soil moisture under the combined irrigation and drainage treatment was slightly higher than that under conventional drip irrigation. Under T1, the average salt content and pH value in the 0–60 cm soil layer of clay, loam and sandy soil decreased by 14.09%, 14.21% and 12.35%, and 5.02%, 5.85% and 3.27%, respectively, compared with T2. Therefore, T2 reduced the salt content and pH value of shallow soil. Under T1 and T2, the relative permeability coefficient (K/K0) values in different soil textures at different growth stages of cotton were ranked as follows: sandy soil > loam > clay. Under T1, the K/K0 values for different soil textures at different growth stages of cotton were >1; therefore, T1 improved soil permeability. The yield and water use efficiency of seed cotton under T1 and T2 in different soil textures were ranked as follows: loam > clay > sand, and there were significant differences between the different treatments. In loam, the cotton yield and water use efficiency of the combined irrigation and drainage treatment were 6.37% and 13.70% higher than those for conventional drip irrigation treatment, respectively. By combining irrigation and drainage to adjust the soil moisture, salt, pH value and soil permeability of different soil textures, the root growth environment of crops can effectively be improved, which is of great significance to improving the utilization efficiency of water and fertilizer and promoting the growth of cotton.

Low water and fertilizer use efficiency have become important factors restricting the sustainable development of agriculture in extreme arid areas, typically like Xinjiang in China. In order to optimize the water and fertilizer management system of grape drip irrigation in the region, field experiments were carried out to study the effects of different water and fertilizer treatments on the physiological growth, yield, and quality of grapes. Meanwhile, principal component analysis, grey correlation analysis, and regression analysis were used to quantify the relative optimal amount of water and fertilizer. The results showed that the effects of water and fertilizer interaction on the photosynthetic index and fluorescence index of grape leaves, in different growth periods, ng reached extremely significant levels (p < 0.01). The physiological indicators showed regular changes with the increase and decrease of water and fertilizer use and the appropriate amount of water and fertilizer could maintain the index at a superior level. Meanwhile, there are differences in the index of different growth stages and regular changes with the growth period. The effects of water and fertilizer interaction on the yield, water use efficiency, and quality of drip irrigation reached a very significant level (p < 0.01). The yield reached the maximum in W3F2 treatment and the yield increased by 29.76% compared with the minimum yield of W1F1. The quality index reached a superior level in W3F2 treatment. The results of principal component analysis and grey correlation analysis showed that the optimal water and fertilizer dosage was W3F2 (irrigation 750 mm, fertilization 750 kg ha⁻¹), of which N (300 kg ha⁻¹)-P₂O₅ (150 kg ha⁻¹)-K₂O (300 kg ha⁻¹), and multiple regression analysis was employed to determine the optimal range of water and fertilizer use is the following: Irrigation volume 725–825 mm and fertilization amount 684–889 kg ha⁻¹, of which N (273.6–355.6 kg ha⁻¹) - P₂O₅ (136.8–177.8 kg ha⁻¹) - K₂O (273.6–355.6 kg ha⁻¹). The research results can provide a scientific basis for the water and fertilizer management and drip irrigation technology of drip irrigation in seedless white grape fields in extremely arid areas and it is of great significance for the efficient use of regional water and fertilizer resources and the realization of sustainable socio-economic development in the region.

Xinjiang is short on freshwater resources and rich in ones. The unregulated use of brackish water for agriculture leads to the aggravation of secondary salinization in soil; however, magnetization can improve the quality of brackish water. To evaluate the effects of magnetized brackish water drip irrigation on the water and salt transport characteristics of sandy soil in southern Xinjiang, China, a field plot experiment was carried out in which irrigation water was treated using one or two water magnetization events at different magnetization intensities. Water was treated at five magnetization intensities: 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, or 5000 Gs, while unmagnetized water was used as the control. The results showed that the magnetization of brackish water used in drip irrigation decreased the water transport rate and increased the water holding capacity of the root layer soil. Magnetized irrigation water enhanced the leaching of soil salt and reduced the rate of salt accumulation. Compared with the control, the salt content of the magnetized water-irrigated soil decreased by 15.0%~33.7%, and the salt storage in the magnetized water-irrigated soil decreased by 44.99%~86.78%. The lowest rate of salt accumulation (4.96%) was observed at a magnetization intensity of 3000 Gs. Magnetized water irrigation changed the composition and proportions of soil ions, and Na⁺, Cl⁻, and SO₄²⁻ leaching from the soil increased. The effect of magnetizing the irrigation water twice was greater than that of one magnetization event. Magnetizing the water twice at an intensity of 3000 Gs led to the largest decrease in the relative percentage contents of Na⁺ and Cl⁻, which were 80.90% and 82.36%, respectively. The magnetization intensity had a significant effect on the soil carbon and nitrogen contents, which showed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing as the magnetization intensity rose. The total carbon content after irrigation with magnetized water increased by 13.48%~63.35%, and the total nitrogen content increased by 11.73%~147.96%. The magnetization treatment of irrigation water can therefore reduce the risk of soil salinization and reduce salinity stress on crops in arid regions, providing a new method for alleviating the shortage of freshwater resources in Xinjiang and a means to use brackish water safely while improving salinized soil.

Exploring the effect of irrigation on biodegradable film-covered drip-irrigated maize is essential for sustainable agricultural development in arid areas. These regions, like Xinjiang in China, are home to suitable irrigation and biodegradable films. Through field trials, four levels of irrigation, and two biodegradable films and one common polyethylene film were set up to study the effects of different treatments on the physiology, growth indicators, and yield of maize. The results showed that the effects of irrigation and biodegradable films on the photosynthetic index and fluorescence index of maize reached a very significant level (p < 0.01). The effect of single factor irrigation and biodegradable films on the photosynthetic index and fluorescence index of maize reached a significant level (p < 0.05). The photosynthesis index, fluorescence index, plant height, LAI (leaf area index) and yield of W₃M₃ treatment had the highest value, when compared with other treatments. The W₁M₁ treatment had the lowest value. The photosynthesis index, fluorescence index, plant height, LAI, and yield of the W₃M₂ treatment were second only to W₃M₃. In addition, the output was only 40 kg ha⁻¹ less than W₃M₃. W₃M₂ has the best treatment effect from a perspective of sustainable agricultural development and efficient water saving; the optimal irrigation amount was 5625 m³ ha⁻¹, induction period was 60 d, and thickness was 0.01 mm. The results of this study are of guiding significance for the promotion of the use of biodegradable films, search for suitable irrigation, and development of low-carbon agriculture.

The tribological characteristics of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) under unsaturated lubrication of water and brine were studied. The friction coefficients and wear rates of UHMWPE at different applied loads and sliding speeds were recorded by field tests, and the effects of load and speed on the friction properties of UHMWPE were analyzed. The results showed that under certain liquid drop (about 150–170 mL/h) lubrication, the tribological behaviors of UHMWPE were better than those of dry sliding, and the friction coefficient and wear rate of UHMWPE were reduced by more than 39% and 10% respectively. The lubrication form of UHMWPE gradually transited from saturated lubrication to unsaturated lubrication with the increase in applied load or sliding speed. The evaporation of water caused by frictional heat affected the water content between the surface of UHMWPE and the counterface, which was the main reason for the change in the lubrication form. In the current work, the critical values for the change of lubrication mode were 70 N and 700 r/min for load and speed, respectively, beyond which UHMWPE was in unsaturated lubrication. Under brine-unsaturated lubrication, the anti-friction property of UHMWPE was better than that in water-unsaturated lubrication at high speed because the precipitated salt granules played a ball effect, which was opposite to that under saturated lubrication. The study of the wear resistance with surface profiler showed that the wear rate of UHMWPE under water-unsaturated lubrication was 9% lower than that under brine-unsaturated lubrication at 110 N load. While the wear resistance of UHMWPE under brine-unsaturated lubrication was better than that in water-unsaturated lubrication at high speed, the wear rate of UHMWPE under brine-unsaturated lubrication was 10% lower than that under water-unsaturated lubrication at 1100 r/min speed.