Effects of Different Tillage Measures and Straw Returning Methods on Soil Physicochemical Characteristics and Corn Yield

Qin Yongmei; Zhang Kun; Liu Min; Han Fengying; Liu Ruijie; Hao Shuqin

doi:10.14083/j.issn.1001-4942.2025.06.006

Abstract：In order to explore the effects of tillage measures and straw returning methods on soil physico-chemical characteristics and corn yield,a two-year field positioning experiment was conducted by setting five treatments including rotary tillage with no straw returning(CK),rotary tillage with crushed straw returning(RTS),rotary tillage with straw biochar returning(RTB),deep tillage with crushed straw returning(DPS),and deep tillage with straw biochar returning(DPB).The effects of the five treatments on soil physical struc-ture,nutrient content,enzyme activity and corn yield were studied.The results showed that compared with CK,all the tillage and straw returning treatments could improve soil structure,and increase soil nutrient con-tent,enzyme activity and corn yield.The proportion of 0.25～1 mm particle size aggregates under RTB and DPB treatments significantly increased by 5.44％and 6.16％compared to CK,while that of 1～2 mm particle size aggregates under DPB and DPS treatments significantly increased by 9.59％and 7.74％,respectively.The proportion of＞2 mm particle size aggregates under DPB treatment significantly increased by 5.48％compared to CK.The R＞0.25 value of soil aggregates under DPS and DPB treatments significantly increased by 5.25％and 5.35％compared to CK,respectively.The mean weight diameter(MWD)value of RTB and DPB treatments significantly increased by 6.67％and 11.11％compared to CK,respectively.The organic matter,available phosphorus and available potassium contents in soil treated by RTB and DPB significantly increased by 8.34％,7.75％and 9.48％,and 10.06％,5.33％,and 6.32％,respectively compared to CK.The DPB treat-ment significantly increased the activities of soil urease,sucrose,catalase and alkaline phosphatase compared to CK.The corn yield under different treatments showed DPB＞RTB＞DPS＞RTS＞CK(in 2023).Correlation a-nalysis results showed that there were very significant positive correlations between corn yield and soil porosity and urease activity,but a very significant negative correlation between corn yield and soil bulk density,indi-cating that corn yield was greatly influenced by soil structure and enzymes activities.In summary,compared with CK,different tillage measures and straw returning methods could improve soil structure,soil quality and corn yield,and the treatment of deep tillage with straw biochar returning performed relatively well.