In order to improved lint yield and water use efficiency of cotton in arid region, Professor Su Peixi and his co-workers from Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences tried to apply the research achievements of physiological ecology in desert plants into the cultivation of oasis crop. Based on the traditional and improved cultivation techniques, and the aggregated distribution characteristic of some desert plants to adapt the harsh environment, they designed an aggregated cultivation technique of cotton in arid regions. Now this method obtained an invention patent of State Intellectual Property Office of the People’s Republic of China, and the patent number is ZL200710018352.X.

According to Professor Su, this technique, which was summarized from many plot experiments of different cultivation modes, has improved the traditional uniform cultivation. Its theoretical basis is the aggregated distribution characteristic of some desert plants and the positive correlation between them to adapt the harsh environment together. It can also realized the fertilizer centralized applying and water effectively use without increasing irrigation amount. This technique had a significant effect on increasing lint yield and water use efficiency of cotton in marginal oasis and barren land. This invention can be extended at arid region, especially at marginal oasis.