| To study the effects of different intercropping planting patterns on growth and quality of cotton, a field experiment was carried out to provide theoretical basis for optimizing intercropping practice. The results showed that line spacing between cotton and date plants impacted mainly the process of boll to boll opening. Growth period (143 days) of M1(jujube and cotton distance 1.5 m) was the shortest, and that (149 days) of M3(jujube and cotton distance 0.5 m) was the longest. In addition, during the blooming period, plant height, stem diameter, and the number of boll of M2(jujube and cotton distance 1.0 m) were better than those of other modes. Also, leaf and stem dry matter accumulations of M1 were significantly higher than those of other modes. Moreover, seed cotton yield of M1 was 2 436.79 kg·hm-2, significantly lower than that with other treatments, but lint percentage (0.447) and cotton before frost (83.24%) were significantly higher than those of other treatments. Seed cotton yield of M2 was 4 071.87 kg·hm-2, significantly higher than that with other modes. With the decrease of line spacing between cotton and date, reflectivity of cotton fiber became increased slightly, while breaking strength and micronaire were decreased. In conclusion, in combination with production practice, a cultivation distance of 1.0 m between cotton and young jujube orchard plants could improve economic efficiency. |