Protective effects of straw mulching on soil health and function: a review
Mengdi Liang, Ling Chen, Guoqiang Chen, Yiran Zhao, Guoxiang Liu, Enhui Sun, Cheng Yong, Hongying Huang, Feiyue Li, Ping Qu
Abstract
In recent years, with the rapid development of agricultural production, crop yields have increased significantly, and crop straw yields have also increased considerably. China has fully implemented its straw-burning ban policy and is actively promoting the utilization of straw resources. As an agricultural by-product with high carbon content, straw can release various trace elements necessary for plant growth during decomposition. Therefore, straw not only serves environmental protection purposes but also functions as a soil surface cover, providing an effective and sustainable way for agricultural waste management. Straw mulching offers significant ecological benefits, including improved soil fertility, enhanced nutrient cycling, improved soil structure, and enhanced water retention capacity. By regulating soil temperature, straw mulching promotes crop growth, inhibits weed growth to a certain extent, effectively manages pests and diseases, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. This review systematically summarizes the multiple effects of straw mulching on the soil environment, covering soil nutrients, microorganisms, water, temperature, weed control, pest management, and greenhouse gas emissions. Although straw mulching has a positive influence on crop yield improvement, its effectiveness depends on several factors, such as the mulching method, the mulching amount, soil type, and climatic conditions. Therefore, in practical applications, it is necessary to adjust and optimize the strategy of straw mulching according to specific ecological conditions and agricultural production needs. Future research should focus on improving straw mulching technology, achieving sustainable development of agriculture, maximizing ecological benefits, and reducing potential negative impacts.