Effects of wheat straw incorporation in cotton-wheat double cropping system on nutrient status and growth in cotton

•Wheat straw incorporation can delay cotton K deficiency occurring in short-term.•Wheat straw and inorganic K didn’t markedly affect N and P concentrations in cotton.•Wheat straw and inorganic K increased cotton leaf area duration rather than net assimilation rate.•9000kgha−1 wheat straw by replacing 150kgK2Oha−1 in seedcotton yield is feasible.