Work

Straw return performs better in wheat season than in rice season - From the perspectives of yield and greenhouse gas emissions

Year: 2025

Type: article

Study designs: Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis

Abstract: Straw return is widely applied for improving soil fertility and crop yields. However, the effects of straw return on soil methane (CH 4 ) and nitrous oxide (N 2 O) emissions differ across cropping systems. Here, we investigate the effects of straw return on both crop yields and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in wheat-rice cropping systems through meta-analysis. Across the entire dataset, straw return increased crop yields by 5.4% (P < 0.01) on average (9.0% for wheat yield and 4.1% for rice yield, P < 0.01). Straw return had a positive influence on CH 4 emissions (140.4%, P < 0.01), increasing CH 4 emissions by 87.2% and 160.4% in wheat and rice seasons, respectively. Although the overall effect of straw return on N 2 O emissions across the entire dataset was not significant (+3.6%, P = 0.57), a subgroup analysis revealed contrasting results. Specifically, in-season straw return tended to reduce N 2 O emissions, whereas the absence of straw return during the crop season increased N 2 O emissions. Moreover, we found that straw type and K addition levels were two important factors contributing to heterogeneity between studies in CH 4 emissions and crop yields, respectively. Our findings suggest that straw return has greater benefits for wheat than for rice in wheat-rice cropping systems when both yield and GHG emissions are considered.

Source: Crop and Environment

DOI: 10.1016/j.crope.2025.100117