The impact of varying straw return rates and nitrogen application timings on winter wheat performance and soil nutrient availability
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Optimizing straw return and nitrogen (N) fertilizer management is critical for enhancing sustainable wheat production. A two-season field study investigated the synergistic effects of varying rice straw return rates (s₁ = full straw return, s₂ = 50% straw return, s₃ = no straw return) and split nitrogen fertilizer strategies (n₁ = conventional N, n₂ = 126 kg ha-1basal + 54 kg ha-1overwinter, n₃ = three-split N application; ck = control, no N fertilizer) on wheat yield, yield components, soil fertility, biomass accumulation, and photosynthetic efficiency. The results consistently demonstrated that the combined strategy had a significant impact on all measured parameters. The optimal treatment, 50% straw return (s₂) coupled with a two-split nitrogen application (n₂), maximized wheat grain yield at approximately 7,384±173 kg ha-1, representing a 15−19% increase over conventional practices (s₃-n₁). This yield advantage was primarily attributed to enhanced spike formation. Furthermore, full straw return (s₁) combined with a three-split nitrogen application (n₃) significantly improved soil fertility, achieving the highest soil organic carbon (SOC) content (22.1 g kg-1), which was 55.1−81.5% higher than conventional methods, alongside substantial increases in soil N, P, and K. The s₂-n₂ treatment also led to peak dry matter accumulation (31,604 kg ha-1 at maturity), a 158% increase over the control (ck). For photosynthetic performance, 50% straw return (s₂) with three-split nitrogen (n₃) consistently produced superior SPAD values (83.1) and LAI (4.65) at 14 days after flowering, sustaining active photosynthesis 50−100% longer than conventional practices. These research findings underscore that moderate straw retention combined with strategic split nitrogen application provides a balanced approach, enhancing both wheat productivity and soil health by optimizing nutrient availability and prolonged photosynthetic activity, while avoiding the yield penalties associated with excessive incorporation.
Source: Soil & Environment
Institution: Yangtze University
Language: English
Subfield: Soil Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4414917007