Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effect of Straw Returning and Nitrogen Application Rate on Soil Enzymatic Activities

  • Full-Length Research Article
  • Published:
Agricultural Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In order to study the effects of full corn straw returning and water and nitrogen regulation on straw decomposition, soil enzyme activity and microorganisms. The nylon mesh bag method was used. Seven treatments were set up according to soil moisture (SM) and nitrogen application (Napp). The experiment excluded interference factors such as crops and atmospheric environment. The results showed that water and nitrogen regulation significantly promoted the decomposition of straw, and straw decomposition rate was higher with Napp than without Napp. Soil sucrase activity, urease activity and cellulase activity first increased and then decreased. Soil sucrase activity was highest at 200 kg hm−2 Napp and 60–70% SM. Under the same Napp, soil urease activity was highest at 70–90% SM soil cellulase activity at 200 kg hm−2 Napp was higher than at 140 kg hm−2 under 60–70% SM. The number of soil bacteria first increased and then decreased and it was highest at 70–90% SM under the same Napp. The number of soil fungi showed a gradually increasing trend, and it was highest at 70–90% SM under 200 kg hm−2 Napp. The straw decomposition rate has significant positive correlation with the number of soil bacteria and fungi, and the three interacted with each other. There was an intrinsic link between sucrase and urease. The study was intended to provide theoretical reference and basis for water and nitrogen management under straw returning.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Akhtar K, Wang W, Ren G et al (2018) Changes in soil enzymes, soil properties, and maize crop productivity under wheat straw mulching in Guanzhong, China. Soil Till Res 182:94–102

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Bi YY, Gao CY, Wang HY et al (2019) Research on the prsent situation and corresponding strategies of off-field straw collection and comprehensive utiliazation in china. Chin J Agric Resources Reg Plan 40(09):1–11

    Google Scholar 

  3. Cao H, Sun H, Yang H et al (2003) A Review Soil enzyme activity and its indication for soil quality. Chin J App Environ Biol 01:105–109

    Google Scholar 

  4. Carney KM, Hungate BA, Drake BG, Carney MC, Hungate BA, Drake BG, Megonigal JP et al (2007) Altered soil microbial community at elevated CO2 leads to loss of soil carbon. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 104(12):4990–4995

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  5. Chai RS, An ZD, Ma C et al (2020) Potassium resource quantity of main grain crop straw and potential for straw incorporation to substitute potassium fertilizer in China. J Plant Nutr Fertil 26(02):201–211

    Google Scholar 

  6. Chen Y, Li X, Liu J et al (2017) Changes in bacterial community of soil induced by long-term straw returning. Scientia Agricola 74(5):349–356

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Chen Z, Wang H, Liu X et al (2017) Changes in soil microbial community and organic carbon fractions under short-term straw return in a rice–wheat cropping system. Soil Tillage Res 165:121–127

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Cong HB, Yao ZL, Zhao ZL et al (2019) Distribution of crop straw resources and its industrial system and utilization path in China. Trans Chin Soc Agric Eng 35(22):132–140

    Google Scholar 

  9. Dhaliwal SS, Naresh RK, Gupta RK et al (2020) Effect of tillage and straw return on carbon footprints, soil organic carbon fractions and soil microbial community in different textured soils under rice–wheat rotation: a review. Rev Environ Sci Bio/Technol 19(1):103–115

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Dnb A, Cpn A, Kkh A, et al. Long-term impact of diversified crop rotations and nutrient management practices on soil microbial functions and soil enzymes activity. Ecol Indic 114.

  11. Du LS, Tang ML, Zhu ZK et al (2018) Effects of long-term fertilization on enzyme activities in profile of paddy soil profiles. Environ Sci 39(08):3901–3909

    Google Scholar 

  12. Gao MY, Jin YT, Miao JJ et al (2021) Effects of straw returning on soil nutrients and enzyme activities. J Honghe Univ 19(02):138–141

    Google Scholar 

  13. Gong XJ, Qian CR, Cao X et al (2020) Effects of nitrogen fertilizer on soil enzymatic activity, soil nutrients and decomposition rate of maize straw. J Maize Sci 28(02):151–155

    Google Scholar 

  14. Guan SY (1986) Soil enzyme and its research method. Agricultural Press, Beijing

    Google Scholar 

  15. Guo P, Wang C et al (2011) Mixed inorganic and organic nitrogen addition enhanced extracellular enzymatic activities in a subtropical forest soil in East China. Water Air Soil Poll 216(1–4):229–237

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Hu HX, Cheng Y, Ma YH et al (2012) Decomposition characteristics of returned rapeseed straw in soil and effects on soil fertility. Chin J Eco-Agric 20(03):297–302

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Hu NJ, Han XZ, Yang MF et al (2015) Short-term influence of straw return on the contents of soil organic carbon fractions, enzyme activities and crop yields in rice-wheat rotation farmLand. J Plant Nutr Fertil 21(02):371–377

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Hu HX, Wang YF, He F et al (2012) Study on decaying characteristics of rice straw and its effect on fertilizer cultivation and yield increase. Chin J Soil Water Conserv 07:51–53

    Google Scholar 

  19. Jian Z, Hua P, Xj B et al (2019) Effects of reduced inorganic fertilization and rice straw recovery on soil enzyme activities and bacterial community in double-rice paddy soils. Eur J Soil Biol 94:103116

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Johannes R, Bååth E (2007) Fungal and bacterial growth in soil with plant materials of different C/N ratios. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 3:258–267

    Google Scholar 

  21. Landesman WJ, Dighton J (2010) Response of soil microbial communities and the production of plant-available nitrogen to a two-year rainfall manipulation in the New Jersey Pinelands. Soil Biol Biochem 42(10):1751–1758

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Li F, Chen L, Zhang J et al (2017) Bacterial community structure after long-term organic and inorganic fertilization reveals important associations between soil nutrients and specific taxa involved in nutrient transformations. Front Microbiol 8:187

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  23. Li WL, Liu WR (2007) Research status and development trends of giving the straws back to the field technique on maize. J Jilin Agric Sci 03:32–34

    Google Scholar 

  24. Li Y, Zhang SQ, Han YL et al (2020) Effects on fluvo-aquic soil enzyme activity and fungal community of long-term straw returning and fertilization. Ecol Environ Sci 29(07):1359–1366

    Google Scholar 

  25. Liang L, Ma C, Zhang R et al (2019) Improvement of soil nutrient availability and enzyme activities in rainfed wheat field by combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers. J Plant Nutr Fertil 25(04):544–554

    Google Scholar 

  26. Lin XY, Jiang ZW, Chen X et al (2021) The response of soil microbial quantity and enzyme activity to water and carbon control regulation in paddy fields. Chin Agric Sci Bull 37(07):75–80

    Google Scholar 

  27. Liu Y, Hongqian H et al (2019) Long-term fertiliser (organic and inorganic) input effects on soil microbiological characteristics in hydromorphic paddy soils in China. Soil Res 57(5):459–466

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Liu DQ, Li SY, Guo XL (2018) Characteristics of decomposition and nutrients release of wheat straw under different returning methods. J Henan Agric Sci 47(04):49–53

    Google Scholar 

  29. Liu YG, Liu YH, Liu HJ et al (2013) Effects of straw returning amount on soil physical and chemical properties and yield of wheat. Chin Agric Sci Bull 29(03):131–135

    Google Scholar 

  30. Liu SJ, Xia X, Chen GM et al (2011) Study progress on functions and affecting factors of soil enzymes. Chin Agric Sci Bull 27(21):1–7

    Google Scholar 

  31. Liu JL, Zhou Y, Fu Q, et al (2016) Effects of different straw mulching amount and burial depth on soil water and nitrogen transport. J Agric Mach 47(6):163–170, 162

  32. Lu M (2002) Modern ecological agriculture. China Agricultural Press, Beijing

    Google Scholar 

  33. Lu WT, Jia ZK, Zhang P et al (2011) Effects of straw returning on soil labile organic carbon and enzyme activity in semi-arid areas of Southern Ningxia. China J Agro-Environ Sci 30(03):522–528

    Google Scholar 

  34. Luo ZZ, Huang GB, Cai LQ et al (2012) Temporal and spatial disparities of soil enzyme activities during the spring wheat growing season under different tillage systems. Acta Pratacul Sin 21(06):94–101

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Lv KY, Chou HG, Bai JF et al (2013) Development of direct return of corn stalk to soil: current status, driving forces and constraints. China Popul Resour Environ 23(03):171–176

    Google Scholar 

  36. Ma HJ (2016) Effects of straw application with different years on soil biochemical properties and the development of maize. Jilin University China, Changchun

    Google Scholar 

  37. Pan J, Yang M, Huang LL et al (2021) Effects of maize straw returning on main soil microbial quantity, soil enzyme activity and bacteria community structure and diversity. J Shenyang Normal Univ (Nat Sci Ed) 39(03):266–271

    Google Scholar 

  38. Paterson E, Sim A, Osborne SM et al (2011) Long-term exclusion of plant-inputs to soil reduces the functional capacity of microbial communities to mineralise recalcitrant root-derived carbon sources. Soil Biol Biochem 43(9):1873–1880

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Pausch J, Kuzyakov Y (2018) Carbon input by roots into the soil: Quantification of rhizodeposition from root to ecosystem scale. Glob Change Biol 24(1):1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Rinnan R, Baath E (2009) Differential utilization of carbon substrates by bacteria and fungi in Tundra soil. Appl Environ Microbiol 75(11):3611–3620

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  41. Rogers BF, Iii RLT (2001) Temporal analysis of the soil microbial community along a toposequence in Pineland soils. Soil Biol Biochem 33(10):1389–1401

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Sun Y, Zhao XH, He WX et al (2011) Effect of green manure on soil enzyme activity. Acta Ag riculturae Boreali-occidentalis Sinica 20(03):115–119

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Tang HM, Xiao XP, Tang WG et al (2014) Effects of winter cover crops residue returning on soil enzyme activities and soil microbial community in double-cropping rice fields. PLoS ONE 9(6):e100443

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Taylor JP, Wilson B, Mills MS et al (2002) Comparison of microbial numbers and enzymatic activities in surface soils and subsoils using various techniques. Soil Biol Biochem 34(3):387–401

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Thiet RK, Frey SD, Six J (2006) Do growth yield efficiencies differ between soil microbial communities differing in fungal:bacterial ratios? Reality check and methodological issues. Soil Biol Biochem 38(4):837–844

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Wan ZM, Song CC (2009) Advance on response of soil enzyme activity to ecological environment. Chin J Soil Sci 40(04):951–956

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Wan ZM, Wu JG (2005) Study progress on factors affecting soil enzyme activity. J Northwest Sci-Tech Univ Agric For (Nat Sci Ed) 06:87–92

    Google Scholar 

  48. Wang X, Jia Z, Liang L (2014) Effect of straw incorporation on soil moisture, evapotranspiration, and rainfall-use efficiency of maize under dryland farming. J Soil Water Conserv 69(5):449–455

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Wang JJ, Mao XY, Wu MW et al (2017) Effects of different nitrogen application rates on rice straw decomposition, rice-after wheat yield and soil nutrient. Acta Agriculturae Jiangxi 29(06):54–57

    Google Scholar 

  50. Wang GY, Su T, Han HL et al (2018) Soil microbial community structure, labile organic carbon and nitrogen and enzyme activities in paddy field and upland affected by long-term fertilization systems. Acta Agriculturae Zhejiangensis 30(05):817–824

    Google Scholar 

  51. Yan HK, Yu Z, Wang XR et al (2018) Dynamic characteristics of soil microorganisms, Enzymes anailable nutrients under the conditions of the corn straw returnin based on rotary tillage. J Soil Water Conserv 32;155(02):279–285.

  52. Yang BJ, Huang GQ, Qian HY (2014) Effects of straw incorporation plus chemical fertilizer on soil temperature, root micro-organisms and enzyme activities. Acta Pedol Sin 51(01):150–157

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Yao X, Jing H, Liang CT et al (2017) Response of labile organic carbon content in surface soil aggregates to short-term nitrogen addition in artificial Pinus tabulaeformis forests. Acta Ecol Sin 37(20):6724–6731

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Yu L, Tang Y, Wang Z et al (2019) Nitrogen-cycling genes and rhizosphere microbial community with reduced nitrogen application in maize/soybean strip intercropping. Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst

  55. Zhang YJ, Chen C, Chen X et al (2015) Effects of wheat and rice straw returning on soil organic matter composition and content of different nitrogen forms in soil. J Agro-Environ Sci 34(11):2155–2161

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. Zhang Z, Sun ZX, Zhang YQ et al (2016) Effects of crop residues incorporation and N-fertilizer on yield and water use efficiency of spring maize. Agric Res Arid Areas 34(03):144–152

    Google Scholar 

  57. Zhang S, Xiong DH, Xiao L et al (2017) Influence of dry-wet cycling on soil properties. Chin J Soil Sci 48(03):762–768

    Google Scholar 

  58. Zhang X, Zhou W, Ai C et al (2020) Effects of nitrogen management on soil enzyme activities and bacterial community structure in summer maize growing stages under straw incorporation. J Plant Nutr Fertil 26(02):295–306

    Google Scholar 

  59. Zhao C, Cao YF, Liu K et al (2014) Characteristics of decomposition and variation of material composition of corn straw in laboratory simulation experiment. Agric Res Arid Areas 32(04):183–186

    Google Scholar 

  60. Zhao S, Qiu S, Xu X et al (2019) Change in straw decomposition rate and soil microbial community composition after straw addition in different long-term fertilization soils. Appl Soil Ecol 138:123–133

    Article  Google Scholar 

  61. Zhao S, Zhang S, Paz-Ferreiro J (2018) Linkages between straw decomposition rate and the change in microbial fractions and extracellular enzyme activities in soils under different long-term fertilization treatments. PLoS ONE 13(9):e0202660

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to two anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments and suggestions on this manuscript.

Funding

Funding was provided by the Natural Science Foundation of Heilongjiang Province (Grant No. LH2020E115) and National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 52079050).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Heilongjiang Research Institute of Water Resources Science, Harbin, 150030, China

    Wensheng Zheng & Yanhuai Tao

  2. College of Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, China

    Haili Dong & Zhongbo Wang

Authors
  1. Wensheng Zheng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Haili Dong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Zhongbo Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Yanhuai Tao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Wensheng Zheng.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Zheng, W., Dong, H., Wang, Z. et al. Effect of Straw Returning and Nitrogen Application Rate on Soil Enzymatic Activities. Agric Res 12, 163–171 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40003-022-00638-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40003-022-00638-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation