Maize straw application shows regional-scale improvements to soil fertility and crop yields in Chinese croplands: A meta-analysis

IF 6.4 1区农林科学 Q1 AGRONOMY

Field Crops Research Pub Date : 2025-07-24 DOI:10.1016/j.fcr.2025.109908

Xinyi Wang , Zhaoxuan Li , Hao Li, Tingting Shen, Yanxin Luo, Feilong Zhang, Xiaozhuo Wang, Xueyan Zhang

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Context or problem

Applying maize straw to agricultural land is recognized as a crucial practice for enhancing soil fertility and crop yields. However, the significant regional variations in the impacts of maize straw on soil properties and crop yields remain poorly understood, particularly under the diverse climatic and soil conditions found across China.

Objective or research question

This study aimed to quantify the effects of maize straw application on soil fertility and crop yield and to identify how climatic factors, initial soil properties, and straw application rates influence these effects across different regions of China.

Methods

A meta-analysis was conducted using data from 94 peer-reviewed studies covering 1187 data pairs for sites throughout China. This analysis assessed the impact of maize straw application on key indicators of soil fertility, including soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), and soil bulk density, as well as on crop yield. Statistical models were used to evaluate the relationships between climatic conditions, initial soil fertility, straw application rates, and resulting outcomes.

Results

Maize straw application significantly increased crop yield, SOC, and TN, whereas soil bulk density was reduced. Climatic conditions and initial soil properties notably influenced these outcomes. Regions with moist and cool climates exhibited the most pronounced gains in SOC and productivity. Furthermore, with increasing temperatures from high-latitude regions to low-latitude regions, benefits in crop yield, TN, urease, sucrase, and organic matter decreased. Maximum improvements in crop yield were obtained under higher straw application rates (> 9000 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹). Importantly, significant enhancements in crop yield, SOC, and TN were achieved by applying maize straw in areas with initial SOC and TN levels below 6 g kg⁻¹ and 1 g kg⁻¹, respectively.

Conclusions

Maize straw application effectively enhances soil fertility and crop yields in cropland in China. Specific benefits are dependent on regional climate, initial soil fertility, and application rates. These findings highlight the importance of adjusting straw application practices to local environmental conditions to achieve optimal agricultural productivity and soil health.

Implications or significance

The results of the comprehensive regional analysis conducted in this study underscores the role of environmental and management factors in maximizing the benefits of maize straw application. The insights gained can inform the development of tailored straw application practices that enhance both agronomic and ecological benefits, contributing to sustainable crop management in China and potentially other regions with similar agricultural conditions.

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玉米秸秆施用显示了中国农田土壤肥力和作物产量的区域尺度改善：一项荟萃分析

背景或问题将玉米秸秆应用于农业用地被认为是提高土壤肥力和作物产量的重要做法。然而，玉米秸秆对土壤性质和作物产量影响的显著区域差异仍然知之甚少，特别是在中国各地不同的气候和土壤条件下。目的或研究问题本研究旨在量化玉米秸秆施用对土壤肥力和作物产量的影响，并确定中国不同地区气候因素、土壤初始性质和秸秆施用量如何影响这些影响。方法采用94项同行评议研究的数据进行荟萃分析，涵盖中国各地1187对数据。分析了玉米秸秆施用对土壤有机碳（SOC）、全氮（TN）、土壤容重等土壤肥力关键指标以及作物产量的影响。使用统计模型来评估气候条件、初始土壤肥力、秸秆施用量和结果之间的关系。结果秸秆施用显著提高了作物产量、有机碳和全氮，降低了土壤容重。气候条件和初始土壤性质对这些结果有显著影响。气候湿润和凉爽的地区在有机碳和生产力方面表现出最明显的增长。从高纬度地区到低纬度地区，随着温度的升高，作物产量、全氮、脲酶、蔗糖酶和有机质的效益降低。较高秸秆施用量(>； 9000公斤 公顷⁻¹年⁻¹)。重要的是，在初始有机碳和全氮含量分别低于6 g kg - 1和1 g kg - 1的地区，施用玉米秸秆可显著提高作物产量、有机碳和全氮。结论玉米秸秆施用能有效提高中国农田土壤肥力和作物产量。具体效益取决于区域气候、初始土壤肥力和施用量。这些发现强调了根据当地环境条件调整秸秆施用方式以实现最佳农业生产力和土壤健康的重要性。本研究的综合区域分析结果强调了环境和管理因素在玉米秸秆利用效益最大化中的作用。所获得的见解可以为量身定制的秸秆施用实践的发展提供信息，从而提高农艺和生态效益，为中国以及具有类似农业条件的其他地区的可持续作物管理做出贡献。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Field Crops Research 农林科学-农艺学

CiteScore

9.60

自引率

12.10%

发文量

307

审稿时长

46 days

期刊介绍： Field Crops Research is an international journal publishing scientific articles on: √ experimental and modelling research at field, farm and landscape levels on temperate and tropical crops and cropping systems, with a focus on crop ecology and physiology, agronomy, and plant genetics and breeding.