Short-Term Effects of Different Straw Returning Methods on the Soil Physicochemical Properties and Quality Index in Dryland Farming in NE China

Wei Fan, Jinggui Wu, Sharaf Ahmed, Juan Hu, Xiaodong Chen, Xiaohang Li, Wenyue Zhu and Yaa Opoku-Kwanowaa
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Wei Fan: College of Resources and Environment Sciences, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
Jinggui Wu: College of Resources and Environment Sciences, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
Sharaf Ahmed: College of Resources and Environment Sciences, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
Juan Hu: Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130102, China
Xiaodong Chen: College of Resources and Environment Sciences, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
Xiaohang Li: College of Resources and Environment Sciences, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
Wenyue Zhu: College of Resources and Environment Sciences, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
Yaa Opoku-Kwanowaa: College of Resources and Environment Sciences, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 7, 1-12

Abstract: A field experiment was designed to assess the impacts of various maize straw (stover) returning methods on the basic soil physicochemical properties and soil quality index in Jilin (NE China). The five treatments were no return of straw residues (CK), straw incorporated evenly into the soil using the crashing-ridging technique (EIS), straw mulching (SM), straw plowed into the soil (SP), and straw returned in granulated form (SG). Relative to the no straw return, EIS effectively reduced soil bulk density and penetration resistance, increased soil total organic carbon (TOC), macroaggregate-associated carbon content, and the accumulation of soil humus. Furthermore, EIS improved soil structure and soil aggregate stability and significantly increased the soil quality index. Among the various straw returning treatments, SM and SG significantly promoted soil macroaggregation and increased macroaggregate-associated carbon content by 23.69% and 21.70% at the soil surface, respectively (as compared with the control). Compared to SM, SP, and SG, EIS significantly enhanced the aliphaticity and hydrophobicity of soil organic carbon. These results suggested that EIS was the most efficient straw return mode to increase TOC and improve soil structure and fertility.

Keywords: soil organic carbon; soil compaction; soil aggregate stability; FTIR spectra; straw return; soil quality index (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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