An explanatory spatio-temporal pattern analysis of the fruit industry in Xinjiang, China, between 1988 and 2017

Abstract

Awareness of spatio-temporal patterns in the fruit industry is important for planning planting structures and improving yield. Xinjiang is famous for its fruit because of their unique natural features. However, overall quality and yields lag behind international and national levels owing to technological and economic limitations. Using seven perennial fruits, this study investigated the spatio-temporal features and trends in the Xinjiang fruit industry during the period 1988–2017. The best-fitting regression models of fruit production, determined by Akaike's information criterion, revealed improvements over these years. Spatial autocorrelation and comparative advantage analyses revealed an expanding fruit industry in the south and east of Xinjiang and the fruit concentration in some areas revealed higher suitability than that in others. Natural conditions were the dominant factors affecting the suitability for fruit planting, whereas anthropological activities were the driving factors. Economic growth can promote yield efficiency when combined with better management, product composition, sort selection, and planting technologies.