Effects of different returning method combined with decomposer on decomposition of organic components of straw and soil fertility

Abstract

Abstract In view of the problems of low straw decomposition rates and reduced soil fertility in southern Liaoning, China, we investigated the effects of no-tillage mode (NT), deep loosening + deep rotary tillage mode (PT), rotary tillage mode (RT) and the addition of decomposing agent (the next is called a decomposer) (NT + S, PT + S, RT + S) on the decomposition proportion of straw, respectively, by using the nylon net bag method in combination with 365-day field plot experiments. The decomposition rules of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin as well as the dynamics of soil organic carbon (SOC), soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and soil dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in straw returned to the field for 15, 35, 55, 75, 95, 145 and 365 days were analyzed. The results showed that in the short term, the decomposition of straw was better in both the rotray tillage and deep loosening + deep rotary modes than in the no-tillage mode, and the addition of decomposer significantly promoted the decomposition of straw and the release of carbon from straw, among them, the RT + S treatment had the highest straw decomposition proportion and carbon release proportion in all sampling periods. After a one year experimental cycle, the RT + S treatment showed the highest proportion of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin decomposition with 35.49%, 84.23% and 85.50%, respectively, and soil SOC, MBC and DOC contents were also higher than the other treatments with an increase of 2.30 g kg−1, 14.22 mg kg−1 and 25.10 mg kg−1, respectively, compared to the pre-experimental soil. Our results show that in the short term, to accelerate the decomposition rate of returned straw and increase the content of various forms of carbon in soil, rotary tillage can be used to return the straw to the field, while also spraying straw decomposer on its surface. This experiment used a new straw decomposer rich in a variety of microorganisms, combined with the comparison of a variety of straw return modes, and in-depth study of straw decomposition effects of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. Thus, a scheme that can effectively improve the decomposition rate of straw and the content of various forms of organic carbon in soil within a short period of time was explored to provide theoretical support for the southern Liaoning.