Molecular Soil Biology 2024, Vol.15, No.4, 163-171 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/msb 168 6.2 Results and findings The results consistently demonstrated that the combination of straw incorporation and nitrogen fertilization significantly improved maize growth, yield, and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). Yield improvement was evident as full straw incorporation combined with nitrogen fertilization increased maize grain yield by up to 29% compared to control treatments (Akhtar et al., 2023a). Similarly, straw incorporation in the Loess Plateau increased grain yield by 43.6% and 61.8% with 150 and 225 kg/ha nitrogen application, respectively (Meng et al., 2021). Nitrogen uptake and efficiency were significantly enhanced by treatments involving straw incorporation and medium to high nitrogen rates. For example, deep burial of straw combined with medium nitrogen fertilizer increased nitrogen uptake by 20.4% and maize yield by 9.3% (Zhang et al., 2020). Another study reported that straw incorporation improved nitrogen recovery efficiency by up to 188.6% (Chen et al., 2020). Soil fertility was improved through long-term straw incorporation, which enhanced soil organic carbon and increased available nitrogen and phosphorus content, supporting higher crop yields (Ma et al., 2021). Environmental benefits were also observed, as straw incorporation reduced nitrogen leaching and nitrate nitrogen infiltration into deeper soil layers, mitigating environmental pollution. Additionally, it reduced overall fertilizer-N losses and N₂O emissions per unit of applied nitrogen. 6.3 Implications for agricultural practices The findings from these studies have significant implications for sustainable agricultural practices. Enhanced crop productivity can be achieved by integrating straw incorporation with appropriate nitrogen fertilization, which substantially increases maize yield and quality. This makes it a viable strategy for improving food security in semi-arid and rainfed regions (Guo et al., 2021; Akhtar et al., 2023a). Improved soil health is another benefit, as long-term straw incorporation enhances soil organic matter and nutrient availability, promoting sustainable soil health and fertility (Ma et al., 2021). Environmental sustainability is supported by the reduction in nitrogen leaching and greenhouse gas emissions. Straw incorporation, coupled with optimized nitrogen management, can mitigate the environmental impact of intensive farming practices (Meng et al., 2021). Economic viability is also a key advantage. The increased nitrogen use efficiency and reduced fertilizer losses translate to cost savings for farmers, making this practice economically beneficial (Lin et al., 2022). 7 Discussion 7.1 Synthesis of findings The integration of straw incorporation and nitrogen (N) fertilization has shown significant improvements in maize growth, nitrogen uptake efficiency, and overall yield. The combination of full wheat straw mulch with nitrogen fertilization (FS+N) resulted in substantial increases in photosynthetic efficiency, nitrogen uptake, and grain yield (Akhtar et al., 2023). Similarly, straw incorporation was found to inhibit nitrogen leaching, thereby enhancing nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and grain yield in maize (Meng et al., 2021). The long-term application of straw incorporation also consistently improved soil fertility and maize production, indicating that larger straw additions have more profound positive effects on nitrogen recovery efficiency and NUE (Wang et al., 2023). Furthermore, different tillage practices combined with straw incorporation and varying N levels significantly influenced soil physicochemical properties, root traits, and ultimately, maize grain yield (Sui et al., 2020). These findings collectively suggest that straw incorporation, particularly when combined with optimal N fertilization, can significantly enhance maize productivity and soil health. 7.2 Implications for sustainable agriculture The results of this study have important implications for sustainable agriculture. The use of straw incorporation along with nitrogen fertilization not only improves maize yield but also enhances soil fertility and reduces environmental pollution. For instance, straw incorporation effectively prevents nitrate nitrogen infiltration, thereby reducing nitrogen leaching and promoting environmental sustainability (Meng et al., 2021). Additionally, the practice of straw return with reduced N fertilization has been shown to improve nitrogen use efficiency and reduce the optimal nitrogen rate required for maize production, which can lead to more sustainable farming practices (Sharma et al., 2021). These strategies contribute to the development of sustainable wheat-maize
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