Response of cotton seeding date to climate warming in Northern Slope Economic Zone of Tianshan Mountain, China

Based on the meteorological date acquired from 11 meteorological stations in Northern Slope Economic Zone of Tianshan Mountain during 1971-2010 and by using the methods of linear regression, t-test technique and IDW interpolation, this paper analyzed the spatial distribution of each ten-day average temperature from late March to late April and beginning date of ≥ 12 °C to understand the effect of climate change on the cotton seeding date. Results showed that each ten-day average temperature from late March to late April increased by 0. 8, 0. 5, 0. 1 and 0. 5 °C . (10 a)-1, but the beginning date of ≥12 °C advanced by 0.5 d . (10 a)-1 during 1971-2010. All meteorological elements in this research ascended abruptly in the 1990s. The abrupt climate change made each ten-day average temperature increasing by 2.5, 1.9, 1.1 and 1.5 °C, to 7.2, 10.0, 13.2 and 15.6 °C, respectively from late March to late April. The high values of each ten-day average temperature from late March to late April expanded the scope of mai