Molecular Soil Biology 2024, Vol.15, No.4, 163-171 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/msb 165 turn improves nitrogen availability and uptake by maize plants (Sui et al., 2020; Akhtar et al., 2023a). Reduction of nitrogen leaching is another benefit, as straw incorporation helps retain nitrogen in the soil, reducing leaching losses and making more nitrogen available for plant uptake (Meng et al., 2021; Lin et al., 2022). Enhanced root growth is achieved through different straw incorporation techniques, such as surface coverage and deep burial, which promote root growth and distribution, ultimately improving nitrogen uptake efficiency (Zhang et al., 2020). Water use efficiency is also influenced by straw mulching and incorporation, as these practices improve soil moisture retention, supporting better nitrogen utilization and overall plant growth (Guo et al., 2021; Hou et al., 2024). Figure 1 Changes in soil microbial (bacterial and fungal) taxonomic composition at the phylum level after tillage with straw incorporation and N fertilization levels (Adopted from Sui et al., 2022) Image caption: Rotary tillage with straw incorporation (RTS), Plow tillage with straw incorporation (PTS), 0 (CK), 187 (MN) and 337 (HN) kg N/ha applied. The groups accounting for 1% are shown, whereas those accounting for <1% are combined as others (Adopted from Sui et al., 2022) 3.3 Impact on nitrogen uptake efficiency The combined use of straw incorporation and nitrogen fertilizers has been shown to significantly enhance nitrogen uptake efficiency (NUE) in maize. Increased NUE has been reported in studies, showing increases of up to 31.82% when straw mulching is combined with slow-release nitrogen fertilizers (Guo et al., 2021). Similarly, full wheat straw incorporation with nitrogen application increased NUE by 9.6% (Akhtar et al., 2023a). Improved nitrogen recovery is another outcome of the incorporation of straw with nitrogen fertilizers. This practice has been shown to improve nitrogen recovery efficiency (NRE) and agronomic efficiency from nitrogen (AEN), leading to better nitrogen utilization and reduced losses (Lei et al., 2020). Sustained yield improvements have been observed in long-term studies. Consistent straw incorporation improves soil fertility and nitrogen cycling, resulting in sustained increases in maize yield and nitrogen uptake over multiple years (Ma et al., 2021). 4 Nitrogen Uptake Efficiency in Maize 4.1 Definition and importance Nitrogen uptake efficiency (NUE) in maize refers to the plant's ability to absorb and utilize nitrogen from the soil. This efficiency is crucial for maximizing crop yield and minimizing environmental impacts. Efficient nitrogen uptake ensures that the applied nitrogen is used effectively by the plant, leading to better growth, higher yields, and reduced nitrogen losses to the environment, which can cause pollution and resource wastage (Sui et al., 2020; Meng et al., 2021; Akhtar et al., 2023a). 4.2 Factors affecting nitrogen uptake Several factors influence nitrogen uptake efficiency (NUE) in maize, including straw incorporation, nitrogen fertilization rates, tillage practices, mulching, and nitrogen source and timing. Straw incorporation into the soil can enhance nitrogen uptake by improving soil structure and moisture retention, which facilitates better root growth and nutrient absorption (Zhang et al., 2020; Meng et al., 2021). Nitrogen fertilization rates significantly
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