Integrated deep vertical rotary tillage and subsurface pipe drainage techniques for sustainable soil salinization management and cotton production in arid regions

Soil salinization impacts over 6 % of the world’s arable land, presenting an even greater challenge to agriculture in arid regions. This study assessed various subsurface pipe arrangements (B1: 1.0 m depth, 20 m spacing; B2: 0.8 m depth, 16 m spacing), deep vertical rotary tillage (DVRT) depths (DT40: 40 cm, DT60: 60 cm), and conventional tillage (CT) over the period from 2021 to 2023 to evaluate their long-term effects on soil properties, drainage characteristics, and crop production. The results indicated that the combination of DVRT and SPD significantly reduced the levels of salt and ions (Na + , K + , Mg 2+ , Ca 2+ , Cl − , and SO 4 2− ). Increasing tillage depth and reducing pipe spacing and depth significantly improved soil desalination and drainage but reduced soil water storage. Meanwhile, the total nitrogen (TN), phosphorus (TP), and potassium (TK) contents in the 0–20 cm soil layer were significantly reduced by 3–8 %, 3–6 %, and 9–19 %, respectively, compared to the CT treatment. Specifically, the DT60-B1 treatment exhibited the greatest soil desalination and drainage but also had the highest concentrations of TN, TP, and TK in the drainage. Although these changes initially caused a 5 % and 8 % decrease in average dry mass and yield, respectively, cotton’s uptake of Na + and Cl − decreased over time, while the uptake of Ca 2+ , as well as the accumulation of C, N, P, and K, along with yield, gradually increased. Random forest analysis showed that soil salinity and water storage significantly impacted yield, with electrical conductivity identified as the primary limiting factor. In 2023, the DT60–B1 treatment yielded significantly more than the CT treatment, and its comprehensive evaluation index increased from 0.44 to 0.67, indicating a shift from inhibition to promotion of crop growth over time. Long-term application requires optimizing pipeline layout and farming practices to improve productivity and sustain saline soil use. • Deep vertical rotary tillage (DVRT) and subsurface pipe (SPD) improved saline soil. • DVRT and SPD increased infiltration and desalination, but decreased soil water. • Increasing the depth of DVRT tillage enhances the drainage efficiency of SPD. • Spring irrigation enhances the salt leaching effect of DVRT and SPD. • DVRT and SPD effectively remove soil salts and reduce secondary salinization risk.