Molecular Soil Biology 2024, Vol.15, No.4, 163-171 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/msb 164 nitrogen application rates, have been studied to determine their effects on root distribution, nitrogen uptake, and overall maize yield (Sui et al., 2020; Zhang et al., 2020). The study is to evaluate the effects of straw incorporation on nitrogen uptake efficiency in maize, investigate the interaction between straw incorporation and nitrogen fertilization on maize quality improvement, and determine the optimal straw and nitrogen management practices for enhancing maize yield and nitrogen use efficiency. 2 Impact of Straw Incorporation on Soil Health 2.1 Role of straw in soil microbial activity Straw incorporation significantly enhances soil microbial activity, which is crucial for maintaining soil health. Long-term straw mulching combined with nitrogen fertilization has been shown to increase the abundance and diversity of soil microbial communities, including bacteria and fungi. This practice boosts the activities of various soil enzymes such as β-glucosidase, N-acetyl-glucosaminidase, and phosphatase, which are essential for nutrient cycling and organic matter decomposition (Chen et al., 2021; Yang et al., 2022). Additionally, straw incorporation promotes the growth of specific bacterial taxa like Proteobacteria and Acidobacteria, which play vital roles in soil nutrient transformations (Li et al., 2019). 2.2 Effects on soil structure and nutrient availability Incorporating straw into the soil improves its physical structure and enhances nutrient availability. Studies have demonstrated that straw mulching increases soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), and available phosphorus (AP) and potassium (AK) levels, which are critical for plant growth (Chen et al., 2021; Akhtar et al., 2023a). The improved soil structure resulting from straw incorporation also enhances soil moisture retention and reduces soil compaction, thereby creating a more favorable environment for root growth and nutrient uptake (Figure 1) (Sui et al., 2022). Furthermore, straw incorporation has been found to reduce nitrogen leaching, thereby increasing the retention of nitrate nitrogen (NO3--N) in the soil profile, which is beneficial for sustained crop productivity (Meng et al., 2021). 2.3 Implications for nitrogen cycling Straw incorporation has significant implications for nitrogen cycling in agricultural systems. It enhances nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) by promoting the mineralization of organic nitrogen and increasing the availability of nitrogen for plant uptake (Sharma et al., 2021; Akhtar et al., 2023a). The interaction between straw incorporation and nitrogen fertilization also stimulates various nitrogen cycling processes, including nitrification, denitrification, and nitrogen fixation, which are essential for maintaining soil fertility and reducing nitrogen losses (Li et al., 2019). Additionally, straw incorporation has been shown to mitigate nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions per unit of applied nitrogen, thereby reducing the environmental impact of nitrogen fertilization (Xu et al., 2020; Liang, 2024). 3 Fertilizer Interactions with Straw Incorporation 3.1 Types of fertilizers used In the studies reviewed, various types of nitrogen (N) fertilizers were used in combination with straw incorporation to enhance maize growth and yield. The primary fertilizers included urea, 15N-labeled urea, organic manure, and standard nitrogen fertilizers. Urea was commonly used in multiple studies, often blended with slow-release nitrogen fertilizers to improve efficiency (Guo et al., 2021). 15N-labeled urea was used to trace nitrogen uptake and utilization in maize plants, often combined with organic amendments like corn straw and woody peat (Lin et al., 2022). Organic manure, including cow manure and chicken manure, was substituted for chemical fertilizers in some studies to assess their impact on yield and nitrogen uptake (Geng et al., 2019). Standard nitrogen fertilizer was applied at varying rates (e.g., 150 kg/ha, 225 kg/ha, 300 kg/ha) to evaluate its interaction with straw incorporation (Lei et al., 2020; Meng et al., 2021). 3.2 Mechanisms of interaction The interaction between straw incorporation and nitrogen fertilizers operates through several mechanisms. Soil fertility improvement occurs as straw incorporation enhances soil organic carbon and nutrient content, which in
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