Agronomy (Jun 2024)

Short-Term Straw Return Combined with Nitrogen Fertilizer Alters the Soil Nitrogen Supply in Rice–Rapeseed Planting Systems

  • Haicheng Wu,
  • Zhi Zhang,
  • Cheng Hu,
  • Donghai Liu,
  • Yan Qiao,
  • Zhuoxi Xiao,
  • Yupeng Wu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14061226
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14, no. 6
p. 1226

Abstract

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This study aimed to assess the influences of short-term straw return combined with nitrogen (N) fertilizer on crop yield, soil properties, the bacterial community, and soil nitrogen cycling gene abundance in a rice–rapeseed planting system. A two-year field experiment was conducted in a paddy field from 2019 to 2021. There were four treatments in the experiment: −N−S, no N applied with no straw return; −N+S, no N applied with straw return; +N−S, N applied with no straw return; and +N+S, N applied with straw return. The results showed that short-term straw return combined with N fertilizer could increase crop yield and N use efficiency. N fertilizer application had a positive effect on Gemmatimonadota and Desulfobacterota abundance. Straw returning had a positive effect on Desulfobacterota and Proteobacteria abundance. N fertilization significantly increased the abundance of amoA-AOA, amoA-AOB, and nxrB in agricultural soils. Straw return and N fertilization were not conducive to denitrification. We conclude that short-term straw return combined with N fertilizer in rice-growing areas not only increase crop yield and improve crop N uptake but also increase SOM, total N, and NH4+ and improve the soil microbial activity and N use efficiency.

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