Short- and Long-Term Straw Mulching and Subsoiling Affect Soil Water, Photosynthesis, and Water Use of Wheat and Maize

Summary

This field study compared short- and long-term applications of straw mulching, subsoiling, and combined treatments on wheat and maize productivity and water use efficiency in a water-limited environment. Combined subsoiling and straw mulching (SS) consistently increased soil water storage and photosynthetic performance, with long-term subsoiling alone achieving the highest wheat yield (17.7% above control) in optimal rainfall years, whilst long-term SS maximised water use efficiency in low-rainfall conditions. The findings suggest that optimal soil management strategy depends on rainfall patterns and whether short- or long-term sustainability is prioritised.

UK applicability

These findings may have limited direct applicability to UK conditions, which typically experience higher and more reliable rainfall than the water-limited study environment. However, the principles of subsoiling and mulching for improving soil water retention could be relevant to UK regions experiencing increased summer drought, and merit investigation under UK climatic and soil conditions.

Key measures

Soil water storage (SWS) at crop growth stages; net photosynthetic rate (Pn); leaf water use efficiency (LWUE); grain yield (kg hm−2); water use efficiency (WUE)

Outcomes reported

The study measured soil water storage, net photosynthetic rate, leaf water use efficiency, grain yield, and water use efficiency in wheat and maize under different soil management treatments (straw mulching, subsoiling, and combined approaches) applied over short and long terms. Short- and long-term applications showed differential impacts on yield and water use efficiency depending on rainfall conditions and crop type.

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