Annual burying of pelletized straw benefits grain amino acid by increasing soil mineral elements: A case study in Northeast China

• Published in: Field crops research 2024-06, Vol.314, Article 109458
• Main Authors: Wang, Peixin, Wang, Xiquan, Zong, Rui, Wang, Xinbo, Ni, Haiping, Liu, Lumin, Yang, Yan, Hao, Yubo, Zhang, Yiteng, Pang, Huancheng, Qian, Chunrong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Grain amino acid; Soil mineral elements; Straw form; Straw returning; Zea mays L
• ISSN: 0378-4290; 1872-6852
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fcr.2024.109458

Pelletized straw returning is an innovative approach to enhance nutrient cycling in soil-crop systems. However, its impact on the macro- and micronutrients of both soil and grain, along with grain amino acids remains uncertainty. A three-year field experiment was conducted in Northeast China with spring maize monoculture under pelletized straw returning annually with 75 Mg ha−1 (PS75), comparing with chopped straw with 75 Mg ha−1 (CS75) and 15 Mg ha−1 (CS15), as well as no straw returning (CK). Our results indicated that PS75 increased the contents of soil Ca, Mn, Ni, Cu, and Zn by 19 %, 14 %, 9 %, 7 %, and 4 % respectively, compared to CS75. Additionally, PS75 enhanced grain Fe, Mn, and Mg by 35 %, 12 % and 6 % than CS75, respectively. The increases in soil fertility and grain mineral elements benefited grain amino acids. Compared with CS75, PS75 increased the grain and total amino acid yields by 7 % and 29 %, respectively. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that pelletized straw returning is a promising practice for improving soil mineral element contents and enhancing grain nutrients level, which is benefit for producing nutrient-rich food through innovating straw returning strategies in regions with low temperature and precipitation. [Display omitted] •Additional advantages in soil Ca, Zn, Ni, Mn, and Cu were for pelletized than chopped straw.•Pelletized straw increased grain Fe, Mn and Mg, as well as amino acids compared to chopped straw.•Grain Mg and Ca associated with soil property, while others related to soil element.•Pelletized straw burying benefited grain quality.