Synergistic Effects of Deep Rotary Tillage and Microbial Decomposition Agents on Straw Decomposition, Soil Nutrient Dynamics, and Microbial Communities in Rice Systems

Xinyue Wang, Jie Huang, Yanting Tan, Lili Yang, Yuanhuan Li, Bing Xia, Hailin Li and Xiaohua Deng ()
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Xinyue Wang: College of Agriculture, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410125, China
Jie Huang: College of Agriculture, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410125, China
Yanting Tan: College of Agriculture, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410125, China
Lili Yang: College of Plant Protection, Hunan Biological and Electromechanical Polytechnic, Changsha 410125, China
Yuanhuan Li: College of Plant Protection, Hunan Biological and Electromechanical Polytechnic, Changsha 410125, China
Bing Xia: College of Agriculture, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410125, China
Hailin Li: College of Agriculture, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410125, China
Xiaohua Deng: College of Agriculture, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410125, China

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 13, 1-18

Abstract: This study evaluated the synergistic effects of microbial decomposition agents and deep rotary tillage on rice straw decomposition, soil nutrient dynamics, and microbial communities in paddy fields of southern China. A two-factor randomized block experiment was conducted, with straw decomposition dynamics modeled using a modified Olson decay model, and microbial communities were assessed via high-throughput sequencing and network analysis. The combined treatment significantly increased the decomposition rate constant, reduced the time for 50% decomposition to 81 days, and enhanced soil nutrient availability, especially total nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Microbial richness, diversity, and network complexity were also improved. Structural equation modeling indicated that nutrient availability, rather than microbial α-diversity, was the main driver of decomposition processes. These findings suggest that integrating microbial agents with deep tillage offers an effective strategy for optimizing straw return, improving soil fertility, and enhancing microbial functional resilience in rice systems.

Keywords: straw decomposition; deep tillage; microbial agent; soil nutrient dynamics; soil microbial community (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: 2025
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