Effects of Combined Long-Term Straw Return and Nitrogen Fertilization on Wheat Productivity and Soil Properties in the Wheat-Maize-Soybean Rotation System in the Pannonian Plain

Abstract

The study, conducted to evaluate the effects of long-term straw management combined with the application of increasing nitrogen rates on the yield of twenty winter wheat varieties, as well as on soil properties, was carried out in a long-term field trial established in 1971. The trial was monitored for twenty growing seasons under rainfed conditions in a typical chernozem zone of the southern part of the Pannonian Plain. The cropping system was a winter wheat-maize-soybean rotation. The ten SN-treatments (combinations of straw management (S) and N-fertilization) were as follows: In the plot (treatment) with straw return (S1), seven variants of nitrogen fertilization (0–180 kg N ha−1) were included, while on the plot without straw return (S0) the variants of N-fertilization were 0, 90 and 150 kg N ha−l. Based on the high relative share in the total sum of squares, variance analysis showed that wheat grain yield (GY) was significantly affected by years, SN-treatments, and their interaction, and they can explain the largest part of the total variance of GY. The results showed that straw return integrated with N fertilization could increase wheat yield to varying degrees over 20 years. On average, for all years, the highest GYs were obtained in the treatment S1 and fertilization with 180 and 150 kg N ha−1. The overall results showed that long-term straw returning significantly increased GY by an average of 8.4 ± 4.5%, with a considerable simultaneous increase in yield stability compared to straw removal. In addition, straw incorporation (SI) significantly increased soil humus, total nitrogen (TN), and soil organic carbon (SOC) contents at a soil depth of 0–30 cm by an average of 4.2, 3.8, and 11.3%, respectively. The results of our study have demonstrated that the long-term practice of straw return, in combination with the application of mineral fertilizers, has the potential to serve as a sustainable soil management strategy that is economically viable and environmentally acceptable. However, additional research is required to investigate its interactive effects on both grain yield and soil productivity.

Long-term in situ straw returning increased soil aggregation and aggregate associated organic carbon fractions in a paddy soil

“…The significant effect of co-application of straw returning and chemical fertilization on the crop yields in the study site was in agreement with several recent studies [ 4 , 54 , 55 ]. Shan et al [ 54 ] suggested that higher crop yields in the straw amended soils primarily attributes to the long-term significant inputs of C and nutrients by straw [ 54 ].…”

Enhancing Sustainable Agriculture in China: A Meta-Analysis of the Impact of Straw and Manure on Crop Yield and Soil Fertility

“…However, the determination of the optimal duration always needs to consider the local environment. Many studies have waged an exploration based on their local environment [25,38,39]. Under long-term straw return, Goran et al and Wang et al discovered the content of TN significantly increased [14,25], which was similar to our outcome.…”

“…Many studies have waged an exploration based on their local environment [25,38,39]. Under long-term straw return, Goran et al and Wang et al discovered the content of TN significantly increased [14,25], which was similar to our outcome. One study suggested that long-term straw returning over 20 years could considerably increase SOC content by two or three times compared with short-term straw returning [52].…”

“…For example, the difficult decomposition of straw and the fact that incompletely decomposed straw can impede crop growth have resulted in farmers preferring to dispose of the straw by burning it [21][22][23][24]. Moreover, there is a multitude of factors that can impact the effects of returning straw to the field (e.g., its duration, quantity, form, and category), which makes it difficult for farmers to ensure a proper strategy of straw return [21,25,26]. Due to these reasons, as well as the huge quantity of straw itself and its great potential in restoring soil and mitigating carbon emissions, it is, therefore, essential to apply appropriate straw return management methods in actual production practices to foster green development in China.…”

Effects of Different Tillage Practices on Slope Erosion Characteristics of Peanut Field

“…Furthermore, it was determined in previous studies that incorporating straw mulching with these tillage practices had multiple benefits. It improved soil quality and nutrients while also significantly reducing surface runoff volume [10][11][12]. This effect was particularly noticeable when tillage practices were combined with straw mulching, resulting in decreased outflow concentrations and reduced volumes of large-size colloids in surface and subsurface runoff.…”