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Straw Incorporation Thresholds for Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Stability in Maize Cropping and Fallow Systems.

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Title: Straw Incorporation Thresholds for Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Stability in Maize Cropping and Fallow Systems.
Authors: Zhang, Qijian1 (AUTHOR), Yan, Shuangshuang1 (AUTHOR), Zhang, Xulang1 (AUTHOR), Ji, Tianjiao2 (AUTHOR), Song, Qiulai3 (AUTHOR), Yan, Chao1 (AUTHOR) yanchao504@126.com, Ma, Chunmei1 (AUTHOR) chunmm@neau.edu.cn, Gong, Zhenping1 (AUTHOR)
Source: European Journal of Soil Science. Mar2026, Vol. 77 Issue 2, p1-16. 16p.
Subjects: Crop residues, Fallowing, Carbon in soils, Nitrogen in soils, Corn farming, Carbon sequestration
Geographic Terms: Manchuria (China)
Abstract: Straw incorporation (SI) increases soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil total nitrogen (STN). However, the differences in soil C and N fractions between the maize cropping and fallow systems under different SI rates in the black soil region of Northeast China remain unclear. In a 6‐year experiment, we examined these two systems by using circular frames with five annual SI rates (0, 9.2, 18.4, 27.6, and 36.8 Mg ha−1) to investigate their effects on soil C and N fractions and storage potential. SI significantly enhanced the SOC and STN concentrations in both systems. Compared to fallow, continuous maize cropping resulted in higher depletion of oxidizable organic C (EOC) and amino sugar N (ASN). However, it maintained greater light fraction organic C (LFOC), particulate organic C (POC), and hydrolyzable unknown N (HUN) concentrations in the 0–15 cm soil layer. Fallow increased the soil C:N ratio and exhibited higher average annual C and N sequestration rates (0.70 and 0.01 Mg ha−1 year−1, respectively) compared to the maize cropping system. However, increasing SI rates did not significantly affect the transformation efficiency of straw‐derived nutrients. Conventional SI rates in continuous maize cultivation led to soil C and N losses, while higher SI rates and fallow management effectively retained nutrients. Thus, to prevent concurrent losses of soil C and N pools under continuous maize cropping in the 0–30 cm soil layer under current soil conditions, an annual input of at least 6.8 Mg C ha−1 year−1 and 0.2 Mg N ha−1 year−1 is recommended. Highlights: Higher straw return did not alter straw‐derived C and N conversion efficiency.Continuous maize cropping increased soil LFOC, POC, and HUN compared to fallow.Fallow increased soil C:N ratio and annual C and N sequestration rates.Higher straw incorporation or fallow management reduced soil C and N losses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Abstract:Straw incorporation (SI) increases soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil total nitrogen (STN). However, the differences in soil C and N fractions between the maize cropping and fallow systems under different SI rates in the black soil region of Northeast China remain unclear. In a 6‐year experiment, we examined these two systems by using circular frames with five annual SI rates (0, 9.2, 18.4, 27.6, and 36.8 Mg ha−1) to investigate their effects on soil C and N fractions and storage potential. SI significantly enhanced the SOC and STN concentrations in both systems. Compared to fallow, continuous maize cropping resulted in higher depletion of oxidizable organic C (EOC) and amino sugar N (ASN). However, it maintained greater light fraction organic C (LFOC), particulate organic C (POC), and hydrolyzable unknown N (HUN) concentrations in the 0–15 cm soil layer. Fallow increased the soil C:N ratio and exhibited higher average annual C and N sequestration rates (0.70 and 0.01 Mg ha−1 year−1, respectively) compared to the maize cropping system. However, increasing SI rates did not significantly affect the transformation efficiency of straw‐derived nutrients. Conventional SI rates in continuous maize cultivation led to soil C and N losses, while higher SI rates and fallow management effectively retained nutrients. Thus, to prevent concurrent losses of soil C and N pools under continuous maize cropping in the 0–30 cm soil layer under current soil conditions, an annual input of at least 6.8 Mg C ha−1 year−1 and 0.2 Mg N ha−1 year−1 is recommended. Highlights: Higher straw return did not alter straw‐derived C and N conversion efficiency.Continuous maize cropping increased soil LFOC, POC, and HUN compared to fallow.Fallow increased soil C:N ratio and annual C and N sequestration rates.Higher straw incorporation or fallow management reduced soil C and N losses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:13510754
DOI:10.1111/ejss.70312