Objective To study the spatio-temporal evolution pattern and influencing factors of crop planting structure types in Xinjiang counties, so as to provide reference for crop planting structure optimization and agricultural sustainable development in Xinjiang.

Methods From the perspective of planting structure type and planting proportion, the temporal change trend analysis, spatial agglomeration analysis and other methods were used to study the phased characteristics and influencing factors of the spatio-temporal evolution of county crop planting structure in Xinjiang from 1990 to 2020 in combination with GIS technology.

Results (1) There were 22 kinds of crop combinations ranking in the Xinjiang's top 10 from 1990 to 2020. 71 counties adjusted the combination of grain crops to a "grain - economy - grass" diversified planting structure, which was reflected in reducing the wheat and oil crops planting scale and increasing the cotton and vegetables crops, the type richness index increased first and then decreased. (2) Among all the planting counties in Xinjiang, a significant reduction in the proportion of planting was observed in 75.3% of the wheat-growing counties, 63.5% of the oilseed-growing counties, 51.8% of the rice-growing counties, 29.4% of the alfalfa-growing counties, 27.1% of the legume-growing counties, and those cultivating sugar beets. Conversely, a notable increasing trend was identified in the cultivation of other crops. (3) The spatial clustering of structural shifts in the cultivation of 11 key crops was particularly evident for oilseeds, corn, wheat, and vegetables, with global Moran’s I indices at 0.65, 0.46, 0.36, and 0.32, respectively. The proportions of counties with high clustering were 9.41%, 15.29%, 14.12%, and 10.59% for each of these crops, respectively. (4) The spatio-temporal evolution process of crop planting structure in Xinjiang was a comprehensive process of the interaction of regional natural conditions, social development, industrial environment, scientific and technological level and agricultural policy.

Conclusion The types and trends of crop planting structures at the county level in Xinjiang exhibit significant spatiotemporal differences, and the influencing factors are complex and multifaceted.