A Comprehensive Assessment of Rice Straw Returning in China Based on Life Cycle Assessment Method: Implications on Soil, Crops, and Environment

Zeyu Tang, Xiaoyu Zhang, Ruxin Chen, Chaomin Ge, Jianjun Tang, Yanqiang Du, Peikun Jiang, Xiaobo Fang, Huabao Zheng and Cheng Zhang ()
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Zeyu Tang: College of Environment and Resources & College of Carbon Neutrality, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China
Xiaoyu Zhang: College of Environment and Resources & College of Carbon Neutrality, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China
Ruxin Chen: College of Environment and Resources & College of Carbon Neutrality, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China
Chaomin Ge: College of Environment and Resources & College of Carbon Neutrality, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China
Jianjun Tang: College of Environment and Resources & College of Carbon Neutrality, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China
Yanqiang Du: Jin Shanbao Institute for Agricultural & Rural Development, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
Peikun Jiang: College of Environment and Resources & College of Carbon Neutrality, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China
Xiaobo Fang: College of Environment and Resources & College of Carbon Neutrality, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China
Huabao Zheng: College of Environment and Resources & College of Carbon Neutrality, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China
Cheng Zhang: College of Environment and Resources & College of Carbon Neutrality, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China

Agriculture, 2024, vol. 14, issue 7, 1-16

Abstract: Straw returning has been shown to improve farmland soil, increase crop yield, and reduce global warming. This study investigated the models of six rice straw-returning techniques based on the life cycle assessment method. Compared to the direct modes, the indirect ones showed a greater environmental impact; up to 20.56 times in acidification and emission potentials. There was no significant difference in climate change among the six types. Except for the burning effect, all other modes showed improvement in soil fertility; phosphorus and organic matter content increased by 66.66% and 30.85%, respectively, microbial biomass carbon content doubled (105%), the four organic carbon components increased by >50%, crop morbidity was reduced, and diversity of soil fungus was improved. Feeding, as an indirect method for enhancing soil fertility and economic benefits, is set to emerge as a leading practice in China’s straw management. However, straw-returning technology is limited by cost, greenhouse gases, and increased risk of diseases and pests. There is an urgent need for further improvement and development of carbon sequestration and emission reduction in China’s agriculture.

Keywords: straw returning; life cycle assessment; greenhouse gases; soil fertility; crop diseases (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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