Fall Straw Incorporation with Plastic Film Cover Increases Corn Yield and Water Use Efficiency under a Semi-Arid Climate

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Abstract
Corn straw incorporation in soil has been regarded as an environment-friendly approach for straw utilization. However, straw incorporation has been a challenge under a cold and dry climate due to slow decomposition. This field study was to use a novel approach to incorporate corn straw into the soil during the fall season with a plastic film cover in an effort to enhance the straw degradation, soil water use efficiency, and corn growth and yield. Two-year field experiments were conducted in northeast China to investigate the effects of four treatments on soil properties and corn growth: (1) straw incorporation with film cover, (2) straw incorporation only, (3) film cover only, and (4) control. Soils and corn plants were collected during the growing season and analyzed for soil temperature and moisture, straw degradation, corn biomass, grain yield, and water use efficiency. Results indicated that straw incorporation with film cover increased grain yield by 53% as compared to straw incorporation only and by 102% to control. The straw decomposition under film cover was 20% faster, significantly higher than that of the straw incorporation treatment. In all cases, soil water content before planting, corn water uptake, and corn water use efficiency under straw incorporation with film cover were significantly higher than straw incorporation and control. Surface film cover resulted in 10-day earlier corn tasseling in compared to treatments without film cover. This field study demonstrated that straw incorporation with film cover would enhance straw degradation in soil, improve soil properties, and increase corn yield and water use efficiency, which could be potentially used as a sustainable soil management practice in northeast China.
Funding Information
  • National key research and development program (2022YFD1500605, RC200282, XDA28090200, 2021JH1/10400039, 2022DD062010, 2021HQ1907, NAES034AE02, XLYC2002051, XLYC1908013, SR-2021-9, 2022MS0402, 2022-BS-052)
  • Shenyang Young and middle-aged Scientific and technological Innovation Talents Support Program (2022YFD1500605, RC200282, XDA28090200, 2021JH1/10400039, 2022DD062010, 2021HQ1907, NAES034AE02, XLYC2002051, XLYC1908013, SR-2021-9, 2022MS0402, 2022-BS-052)
  • Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (2022YFD1500605, RC200282, XDA28090200, 2021JH1/10400039, 2022DD062010, 2021HQ1907, NAES034AE02, XLYC2002051, XLYC1908013, SR-2021-9, 2022MS0402, 2022-BS-052)
  • Major Science and Technology Project of Liaoning Provincial Science and Technology Department—Research and Demonstration of Key Technologies for Sand Control in Northwest Liaoning (2022YFD1500605, RC200282, XDA28090200, 2021JH1/10400039, 2022DD062010, 2021HQ1907, NAES034AE02, XLYC2002051, XLYC1908013, SR-2021-9, 2022MS0402, 2022-BS-052)
  • The Liaoning Province “Top Ranking” Key Science and Technology Project (2022YFD1500605, RC200282, XDA28090200, 2021JH1/10400039, 2022DD062010, 2021HQ1907, NAES034AE02, XLYC2002051, XLYC1908013, SR-2021-9, 2022MS0402, 2022-BS-052)
  • Subject Construction Project of Liaoning Academy of Agricultural Sciences (2022YFD1500605, RC200282, XDA28090200, 2021JH1/10400039, 2022DD062010, 2021HQ1907, NAES034AE02, XLYC2002051, XLYC1908013, SR-2021-9, 2022MS0402, 2022-BS-052)
  • Basic Scientific Research Funds of Liaoning Academy of Agricultural Sciences (2022YFD1500605, RC200282, XDA28090200, 2021JH1/10400039, 2022DD062010, 2021HQ1907, NAES034AE02, XLYC2002051, XLYC1908013, SR-2021-9, 2022MS0402, 2022-BS-052)
  • Observing and Monitoring Basic and Long-term Scientific and Technological Work in Agriculture (2022YFD1500605, RC200282, XDA28090200, 2021JH1/10400039, 2022DD062010, 2021HQ1907, NAES034AE02, XLYC2002051, XLYC1908013, SR-2021-9, 2022MS0402, 2022-BS-052)
  • Science and Technology Innovation Leading Talents Project of Xingliao Talents Plan (2022YFD1500605, RC200282, XDA28090200, 2021JH1/10400039, 2022DD062010, 2021HQ1907, NAES034AE02, XLYC2002051, XLYC1908013, SR-2021-9, 2022MS0402, 2022-BS-052)
  • Xingliao Talents Plan High-level Innovation and Entrepreneurship Team (2022YFD1500605, RC200282, XDA28090200, 2021JH1/10400039, 2022DD062010, 2021HQ1907, NAES034AE02, XLYC2002051, XLYC1908013, SR-2021-9, 2022MS0402, 2022-BS-052)
  • Climate Smart Agriculture—Straw Returning and Soil Health Promotion Project in North China Plain and Northeast China (2022YFD1500605, RC200282, XDA28090200, 2021JH1/10400039, 2022DD062010, 2021HQ1907, NAES034AE02, XLYC2002051, XLYC1908013, SR-2021-9, 2022MS0402, 2022-BS-052)
  • Foundation Project of President of Liaoning Academy of Agricultural Sciences (2022YFD1500605, RC200282, XDA28090200, 2021JH1/10400039, 2022DD062010, 2021HQ1907, NAES034AE02, XLYC2002051, XLYC1908013, SR-2021-9, 2022MS0402, 2022-BS-052)
  • Liaoning Province Doctoral Start-up Fund (2022YFD1500605, RC200282, XDA28090200, 2021JH1/10400039, 2022DD062010, 2021HQ1907, NAES034AE02, XLYC2002051, XLYC1908013, SR-2021-9, 2022MS0402, 2022-BS-052)

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