A Four-Decade Dataset of Cotton Phenological Dynamics from the Agrometeorological Network in Xinjiang, China

The dataset comprises over 22274 records (589 MB (uncompressed); 364 MB (compressed)) documenting 9 key phenological periods—sowing, emergence, three-leaf, five-leaf, squaring, flowering, boll crack, open boll, and physiological maturity—and 5 derived growth phases.

It integrates historical paper-based records with modern electronic archives, ensuring continuity and reliability through a multi-tiered quality control process. Advanced analytical methods, including kernel density estimation and univariate linear regression, were employed to characterize spatial distributions, interannual variability, and long-term trends in phenology. Preliminary analysis using these methods revealed a significant advancing trend in most phenological stages across the region, highlighting a clear response of cotton growth to climate change.