Soil salinity is a major threat to cotton production worldwide. Excessive salt in the soil leads to a series of physiological and biochemical metabolic disorders in cotton plants mainly as a result of osmotic effects (dehydration), nutritional imbalance and toxicity of salt ions (Na + and Cl -). The metabolic disorders may finally reduce plant growth and lint yield and quality, particularly in conditions of high salinity. Basically, combating the effects of salinity stress on cotton plants involves two main strategies: one is to improve salt tolerance through genetic breeding and chemical or biological treatment, the other is to avoid or alleviate salinity stress by improving at least part of the root-zone environment. This review highlights the technologies for combating salinity stress on cotton, with a focus on recent advances in agronomic techniques for managing salinity in the root zone. We recommend a comprehensive use of agronomic practices such as suitable cultivars, proper irrigation and fertilization, seed pretreatment, furrow seeding, plastic mulching and induction of unequal salt distribution in the root-zone to combat salinity stress. Further research should focus on exploration and understanding of the uptake and efficient use of water and nutrients in saline soils. Research should also focus on the development of new products for cotton growing in saline soils like new foliar and specific slow-release fertilizers and commercial plant growth regulators to improve salt tolerance.
