Long‐term straw mulching in a no‐till field improves soil functionality and rice yield by increasing soil enzymatic activity and chemical properties in paddy soils

Abstract

Background The degradation in soil quality over the last four decades poses a major threat to the sustainability of the puddled transplanted rice (Oryza sativa L.) system in southern China. Conservation tillage practices (CTPs) such as no‐tillage and crop straw mulching (SM) are considered effective strategies for achieving sustainable crop production. Aims This study aimed to assess the efficacy of different CTPs on crop yield and soil properties in an ongoing long‐term field experiment (2008–2020), particularly changes in soil chemical properties and enzymatic activities and their relationship with rice grain yield. Methods Five treatments including conventional tillage (CT), CT and straw retention, CT and SM (CT‐SM), no‐tillage (NT), and NT and SM (NT‐SM) were applied at a field scale over a period of 12 years. In Years 11 (2019) and 12 (2020), soil samples were collected at two depths (0–10 cm and 10–20 cm) after rice harvesting. Soil chemical traits, enzymatic activities, and rice production were measured in response to different CTPs treatments, and differences between treatments were assessed. Results Soil pH, soil organic carbon, total nitrogen (N), available N, total phosphorus (P), and available P were significantly higher in CTP treatments, compared with CT. The activities of soil enzymes including invertase, acid phosphatase, urease, catalase, β‐glucosidase, and cellulase were significantly higher in CTP soils, compared with CT soils. A general trend of lower enzyme activity was observed at the deeper soil depth. The NT‐SM treatment fields consistently produced the highest grain yield and larges differences in edaphic properties relative to the CT fields; however, all CTP treatments lead to significant increases in grant yield and edaphic properties relative to CT. A correlation analysis demonstrated that the enhancement in soil enzymatic activities contributed to soil quality and grain yield of rice. Conclusions The results of this long‐term field study indicate that the use of CTPs in paddy soil can benefit farmers in southern China by improving soil functionality and sustainability and the grain yield of rice.

Effects of Biochar Amendment and Nitrogen Fertilizer on RVA Profile and Rice Grain Quality Attributes

“…Rice crop production and quality enhancement are a great challenge to overcoming the rising global population’s need [ 1 ]. The modern farming system has played a critical role in feeding the world’s population after green revaluation [ 2 ]; however, it is dependent on the overuse of chemical fertilizers [ 3 ].…”

“…In addition, continuous use of N fertilizer for a long time also showed significant reduction in soil microbial diversity and decreases in soil fertility, thus diminishing the growth and production of crops [ 5 ]. It has been reported that artificial fertilizer are usually applied in higher rates to crops than their requirement in China to obtain a higher output [ 1 , 6 ]. Farmers believe that using higher doses of chemical fertilizers is the easy, dependable way to increase crop production [ 7 ] while ignoring the awful impacts on soil, crop quality, and environment [ 8 ].…”

Comparison of the effects of five long‐term land use and management practices on runoff, soil erosion, and nutrient loss under natural rainfall in the Mollisol region of Northeast China

“…Our study found that long‐term NT resulted in a significantly higher fraction of aggregates >0.25 mm and higher aggregate stability than RT and CT (Table 1). Many studies have demonstrated that higher aggregate stability was associated with reduced soil erosion and erodibility (Barthes & Roose, 2002; Iqbal et al, 2021; Li et al, 2020). The sediment loss due to surface runoff was significantly lower in the NT treatment than in the other treatments (Araya et al, 2011; Carretta et al, 2021; Myers & Wagger, 1996; Tarolli et al, 2019).…”

The incorporation of straw into the subsoil increases C, N, and P enzyme activities and nutrient supply by enriching distinctive functional microorganisms

“…As key regulators of nutrient cycling, extracellular enzymes directly affect soil available nutrients (N and P) and the formation of SOC (Iqbal et al, 2021; Tian et al, 2020; Zhou et al, 2020). Based on functional type, extracellular enzymes are generally classified as hydrolytic or oxidative.…”