Bio-Regulatory Mechanisms of Straw Incorporation in Haplic Phaeozem Region: Soil Ecosystem Responses Driven by Multi-Factor Interactions

Yucui Ning, Zhipeng Chen, Rui Xu, Yu Yang, Shuo Wang and Dongxing Zhou ()
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Yucui Ning: College of Resources and Environment, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
Zhipeng Chen: College of Resources and Environment, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
Rui Xu: College of Resources and Environment, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
Yu Yang: College of Resources and Environment, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
Shuo Wang: College of Resources and Environment, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
Dongxing Zhou: College of Resources and Environment, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 21, 1-21

Abstract: With the increasing global food production year by year, the effective return of crop straw to the field has become an urgent problem to be solved. This study examined the impact of straw decomposition under different return methods on soil ecosystems, focusing on changes in soil biological characteristics. Simulating modern mechanized agricultural practices, an orthogonal experiment was conducted in the haplic Phaeozem region of Northeast China. The factors studied included the amount, length, and burial depth of straw returning. A comprehensive analysis model was built using path analysis, factor analysis, and response surface methodology to investigate the response of soil ecosystem during straw decomposition. This was assessed from four aspects: soil basic nutrients, organic carbon pool, enzyme activity, and microbial community structure. The study found evidence of a strong synergistic relationship between the soil enzyme system and straw decomposition. Notably, during the mid-phase of straw return (60 days), phosphatase and particulate organic carbon (POC) acted as “mirror” antagonistic indicators. Catalase, soil nitrate nitrogen, and POC were identified as key response indicators in the soil ecosystem post-straw return. The appropriate supplementation of nitrogen during the early (0–45 days) and late (75–90 days) stages of straw return was found to facilitate straw decomposition. These findings provide experimental evidence for the return of corn straw in cold haplic Phaeozem regions and offer scientific support for sustainable agricultural practices and national food security.

Keywords: soil ecosystem; path analysis; factor analysis; response surface methodology (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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