基于最小限制水分范围评价不同耕作方式对土壤有机碳的影响

以2009年吉林省德惠市中层黑土上进行了8a的田间定位试验小区土壤为研究对象,对免耕和秋翻两种耕作方式及玉米-大豆轮作和玉米连作两种种植方式下耕层有机碳进行分析,分别采用加权平均和分层两种方法计算最小限制水分范围(LLWR),用其评价不同耕作方式对土壤有机碳的影响.结果表明,免耕在玉米-大豆轮作和玉米连作下0-5 cm土壤有机碳含量分别比秋翻增加了15.2％和11.5％ (P＜0.05).采用加权平均法计算的LLWR值为0.148-0.166 cm3/cm3,不同耕作方式下玉米-大豆轮作的LLWR高于玉米连作且在两种种植方式下均表现出免耕小于秋翻的特点;利用分层法计算得到的LLWR值介于0.130-0.173 cm3/cm3之间,玉米-大豆轮作和玉米连作下免耕0-5 cm LLWR均显著小于秋翻,而5-30 cm LLWR数值免耕大于秋翻(P＞0.05);玉米-大豆轮作下0-30 cm各层LLWR均高于玉米连作.由于LLWR可以评价不同耕作方式对土壤有机碳的影响,因此采用加权平均法计算的LLWR可以客观的反映不同耕作处理尤其是种植方式对土壤有机碳的影响;而采用分层法计算的LLWR则更清晰的刻画了土壤表层与亚表层固碳能力的差异.     

Refining and unifying the upper limits of the least limiting water range using soil and plant properties

The least limiting water range (LLWR) was introduced as an integrated soil water content indicator, measuring the impact of mechanical impedance, oxygen and water availability on water uptake and crop growth. However, a rigorous definition of the upper limit of the LLWR using plant physiological and soil physical concepts was not given. We introduce in this study an upper limit of the LLWR, based on soil physical and plant physiological properties. We further evaluate the sensitivity of this boundary to different soil and crop variables, and compare the sensitivity of the upper limit of the LLWR to previous definitions of soil water content at field capacity. The current study confirms that the upper limit of the LLWR can be predicted from knowledge of the soil moisture characteristic curve, plant root depth and oxygen consumption rate. The sensitivity analysis shows further that the upper limit of the LLWR approaches the volumetric soil water content at saturation when the oxygen consumption rate by plants becomes less than 2 µmol m^?3 s^?1. When plants are susceptible to aeration (e.g. potato and avocado), there is a big difference between the upper limit of the LLWR and the soil water content at field capacity, in particular for sandy soils. Results also show that the soil water content at aeration porosity corresponding to 10% cannot be considered as an appropriate upper limit of LLWR because it does not appropriately reflect the crop water requirements. Similar poor results are obtained when considering the soil water content at matric potential ?0.033 MPa or when defining the soil water content at field capacity based on drainage flux rate. It is observed that the upper limit of the LLWR is higher than either soil water content at ?0.033 MPa matric potential or soil water content at field capacity as based on drainage flux rate, especially in sandy soils.     

Physical Quality Indicators and Mechanical Behavior of Agricultural Soils of Argentina

Mollisols of Santa Fe have different tilth and load support capacity. Despite the importance of these attributes to achieve a sustainable crop production, few information is available. The objectives of this study are i) to assess soil physical indicators related to plant growth and to soil mechanical behavior; and ii) to establish relationships to estimate the impact of soil loading on the soil quality to plant growth. The study was carried out on Argiudolls and Hapludolls of Santa Fe. Soil samples were collected to determine texture, organic matter content, bulk density, water retention curve, soil resistance to penetration, least limiting water range, critical bulk density for plant growth, compression index, pre-consolidation pressure and soil compressibility. Water retention curve and soil resistance to penetration were linearly and significantly related to clay and organic matter (R² = 0.91 and R² = 0.84). The pedotransfer functions of water retention curve and soil resistance to penetration allowed the estimation of the least limiting water range and critical bulk density for plant growth. A significant nonlinear relationship was found between critical bulk density for plant growth and clay content (R² = 0.98). Compression index was significantly related to bulk density, water content, organic matter and clay plus silt content (R² = 0.77). Pre-consolidation pressure was significantly related to organic matter, clay and water content (R² = 0.77). Soil compressibility was significantly related to initial soil bulk density, clay and water content. A nonlinear and significantly pedotransfer function (R² = 0.88) was developed to predict the maximum acceptable pressure to be applied during tillage operations by introducing critical bulk density for plant growth in the compression model. The developed pedotransfer function provides a useful tool to link the mechanical behavior and tilth of the soils studied.     

The sensitivity of shoot growth of corn to the least limiting water range of soils

The least limiting water range (LLWR), the range in soil water content within which limitations to plant growth associated with water potential, aeration and mechanical resistance to root penetration are minimal, has been proposed as an index of the structural quality of soils for crop growth. An hypothesis that is implicit in the proposed use of LLWR as an index of soil structural quality is that crop growth is negatively related to the proportion of the total number of measurements in which the water content falls outside the LLWR (p_out) and therefore given a certain climate positively related to the magnitude of the LLWR. The objective of this investigation was to test the hypothesis that plant response, specifically shoot growth rate of corn (Zea mays L.), can be functionally related to p_out and the LLWR of soils. The study was carried out on a farm with a side-by-side comparison of no-till and conventional-till. Thirty two paired sampling sites were located along the two transects. The LLWR and p_out were calculated for the 0–20 cm depth in each sampling site. Shoot growth rate (SGR) was measured during a 17 and 16 day period in 1992 and 1993, respectively that corresponded to the 10–11 leaf stage. Although the variation in p_out accounted for a larger percentage of the variation in SGR than did LLWR, the correlation between SGR and LLWR was high and justifies further studies to determine if crop yield can be related to LLWR under different soil and climatic conditions.     

Nitrogen dynamics at undisturbed and burned Mediterranean shrublands of Salento Peninsula, Southern Italy

The decomposition rate of soil organic matter (SOM) is affected by soil management practices and particularly by the physical and hydraulic attributes of the soil. Previous studies have indicated that the SOM decomposition is influenced by the Least Limiting Water Range (LLWR). Therefore, the objective of this study was to relate the C-CO₂ emissions to the LLWR of the surficial layer of soil under two management systems: no-tillage (NT), conducted for 20 years, and conventional tillage (CT). Soil in NT presented greater soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks than in CT. Emissions of C-CO₂ were greater in the NT than in the CT, because of the greater carbon stocks in the soil surface layer and the greater biological activity (due to the improvement of the soil structure) in NT as compared to CT. The use of LLWR associated with the measurement of C-CO₂ emissions from the soil could help to predict the efficacy of the adopted management system for trapping carbon in the soil.     

Management options for reducing CO2 emissions from agricultural soils

Crop-based agriculture occupies 1.7 billion hectares, globally, with a soil C stock of about 170 Pg. Of the past anthropogenic CO² additions to the atmosphere, about 50 Pg C came from the loss of soil organic matter (SOM) in cultivated soils. Improved management practices, however, can rebuild C stocks in agricultural soils and help mitigate CO² emissions.Increasing soil C stocks requires increasing C inputs and/or reducing soil heterotrophic respiration. Management options that contribute to reduced soil respiration include reduced tillage practices (especially no-till) and increased cropping intensity. Physical disturbance associated with intensive soil tillage increases the turnover of soil aggregates and accelerates the decomposition of aggregate-associated SOM. No-till increases aggregate stability and promotes the formation of recalcitrant SOM fractions within stabilized micro- and macroaggregate structures. Experiments using¹³ C natural abundance show up to a two-fold increase in mean residence time of SOM under no-till vs intensive tillage. Greater cropping intensity, i.e., by reducing the frequency of bare fallow in crop rotations and increasing the use of perennial vegetation, can increase water and nutrient use efficiency by plants, thereby increasing C inputs to soil and reducing organic matter decomposition rates.Management and policies to sequester C in soils need to consider that: soils have a finite capacity to store C, gains in soil C can be reversed if proper management is not maintained, and fossil fuel inputs for different management practices need to be factored into a total agricultural CO² balance.     

黑土肥沃耕层构建效应

东北黑土区粘重的耕地土壤,经多年不合理耕作后产生了较厚的“犁底层”,成为该地区农业生产的主要限制因子.本研究利用田间试验,分析了构建肥沃耕层对作物产量、土壤物理性质、土壤含水量和微生物数量的影响.结果表明：肥沃耕层构建后,土壤形成了一个深厚的耕层,作物产量增加.与常规耕作法相比,向20～35 cm土层施用秸秆和有机肥使土壤容重分别降低了9.88%和6.20%,总孔隙度分别增加了9.58%和6.02%,饱和导水率分别增加了167.99%和73.78%,表明肥沃耕层的构建能够有效地改善土壤的通气透水性,提高大气降水的入渗能力;向“犁底层”施用秸秆和有机肥处理0～100 cm土层土壤含水量和水分利用效率均显著高于常规耕作法,该处理玉米出苗率与0～35 cm土层土壤含水量之间呈显著正相关关系.肥沃耕层的构建由于增加了土壤中的有机碳源和透气性,从而增加了土壤中的微生物数量.     

黑土肥沃耕层构建效应

东北黑土区粘重的耕地土壤,经多年不合理耕作后产生了较厚的“犁底层”,成为该地区农业生产的主要限制因子.本研究利用田间试验,分析了构建肥沃耕层对作物产量、土壤物理性质、土壤含水量和微生物数量的影响.结果表明：肥沃耕层构建后,土壤形成了一个深厚的耕层,作物产量增加.与常规耕作法相比,向20～35 cm土层施用秸秆和有机肥使土壤容重分别降低了9.88%和6.20%,总孔隙度分别增加了9.58%和6.02%,饱和导水率分别增加了167.99%和73.78%,表明肥沃耕层的构建能够有效地改善土壤的通气透水性,提高大气降水的入渗能力;向“犁底层”施用秸秆和有机肥处理0～100 cm土层土壤含水量和水分利用效率均显著高于常规耕作法,该处理玉米出苗率与0～35 cm土层土壤含水量之间呈显著正相关关系.肥沃耕层的构建由于增加了土壤中的有机碳源和透气性,从而增加了土壤中的微生物数量.     

农牧交错带不同耕作方式土壤水分动态变化特征

从耕作方式、覆盖和轮作3个因素系统地对莜麦整个生育期土壤含水量进行了动态的观测研究,结果表明,干旱地区单纯的免耕在提高土壤水分含量上作用不太明显,尤其是降低了表层土壤的含水量,免耕只有在覆盖下,才能真正起到增加土壤水分含量,提高水分利用效率的作用;而对于深松处理,无论是覆盖还是不覆盖,与传统翻耕处理相比,土壤水分均明显提高;同种耕作措施覆盖与无覆盖相比,覆盖处理下土壤含水量明显高于无覆盖处理;说明保护性耕作之所以能够提高土壤水分含量,关键因素在于残茬覆盖;同种耕作方式下轮作种植土壤水分含量与水分利用效率明显高于连作。可以看出,从理论上轮作深松覆盖处理是当地应采用的最佳耕作方式,然而,由于当地缺乏覆盖材料,因此,轮作深松是目前当地最适合的耕作方式。     

保护性耕作对稻田土壤有机质的影响

研究使用常规犁耕-休闲(DTF),常规犁耕-小麦(DTW),保护耕作-休闲(CTF),保护耕作-小麦(CTW)4个处理,评价连续实验10a后保护性耕作对稻作区SOM的影响。结果表明:垄作、免耕和小麦种植的结合是稻作区一种较好的保护性耕作实践。它不仅显著增加SOM在土壤表层的聚集,而且它也通过改变SOM的组成和结构显著影响土壤胡敏酸的光谱和热解特性。相比其他处理,垄作免耕(稻麦)在0～10cm土层拥有最多的SOM含量,但随着土层厚度的增加,这一含量下降的也较为迅速。垄作免耕(稻麦)土壤胡敏酸在波长665nm处的光密度为0.122,465nm处为0.705,而常规平作(中稻)在这两个波长处却分别为0.062和0.321。垄作免耕土壤胡敏酸DTA曲线在360～365℃处放热峰的焓变值比常规平作低,1000～1050cm-1吸收峰常规平作也比垄作免耕强。垄作免耕土壤腐殖质的氧化稳定系数增高,表明长期垄作免耕土壤腐殖酸的缩合度增高,芳构化程度增强。通过保护性耕作和作物实践可以管理稻田土壤,维持充分的SOM积累,缓解土壤有机碳的丢失。     

Soil tillage systems to reduce the harmful effect of extreme weather and hydrological situations

Soil as the largest potential natural water reservoir in the Carpathian Basin has increasing importance under conditions of predicted climate change resulting in increase of probability of extreme hydrological events. Soil management changes soil structure and has a major effect on soil water, heat and nutrition regimes. In this study the effect of four tillage treatments in combination with catch crop management was studied on soil hydraulic properties and water regime under semi-arid conditions. Investigations were carried out in a long-term soil tillage experiment established on Calcic Chernozem soil in Hungary. Tillage variants comprised mouldboard ploughing, disking, loosening combined with disking and direct drilling. The crop sequence between September 2003 and September 2004 comprised maize (main crop), rye (catch crop) and pea (forage). In May 2004, disturbed samples and undisturbed soil cores were collected from each tillage treatment/catch crop combination. The main soil physical and hydrophysical properties were determined in laboratory. In each treatment, capacitive soil moisture probes were installed up to 80 cm depth to ensure continuous measurement of soil water content. Total soil water amounts of chosen soil layers and soil water content dynamics as a function of depth were evaluated for selected periods in order to quantify the effect of the studied management systems on soil water regime. The main conclusion from the experiment is that under such (or similar) ecological conditions, the uniform, „over-standardized“ adaptation of tillage methods for soil moisture conservation is rather risky, their application needs special care and the future is for site-specific precision technologies. These are, in combination with catch crop application can be efficient measures of environmental protection and soil structure and water conservation.     

Using NDVI and soil quality analysis to assess influence of agronomic management on within-plot spatial variability and factors limiting production

Crop growth and yield are the result of the efficiency of the chosen agricultural management system within the boundaries of the agro-ecological environment. Linking spatial variability in crop performance to differences in soil attributes could identify the limiting factors driving the system, since patterns of crop performance will follow the spatial variability of the underlying limiting soil attributes. The Greenseeker handheld NDVI sensor was used to determine the within-plot spatial variability of crop performance in the different management treatments of a long-term (started 1991) tillage and residue management trial. Soil quality was measured spatially in the same plots. Under zero tillage with residue removal, soil quality and crop performance followed micro-topography with higher values where elevation was lower. Under zero tillage with residue retention soil quality was high throughout the field, ensuring uniform crop growth and under conventional tillage, soil quality was intermediate. Crop performance followed the same pattern as soil moisture and the related attributes infiltration, soil structure and organic matter. Thus soil moisture is the main limiting factor of the system and it is essential for the sustainability of any management practice developed for the subtropical highlands that soil water capture and storage are optimal. Zero tillage with residue retention is therefore the practice that will result in the most sustainable management and the most stable yields for this target area.     

土壤有机质概念和分组技术研究进展

土壤有机质一直是土壤学研究领域的重点,在过去的50年里,对土壤质量可持续性观念的增强和寻找快速判断人为因素对土壤质量影响方向指标的强烈愿望导致了土壤有机质的研究重点发生了急剧变化：对农业措施反映慢的土壤腐殖质类物质的研究正在退出土壤有机质研究领域,而侧重点逐渐转向了土壤中未受微生物作用或正在受微生物降解的有机残体;也出现了新的土壤有机质研究概念和对应测试手段：土壤有机质的比重分组、与有机质结合的土壤颗粒大小分组、土壤团聚体中的POM和iPOM以及土壤水溶性有机质和微生物体C等概念和测试手段被相继提了出来,土壤有机质的研究重点正在从土壤微生物的作用产物(腐殖质)向土壤微生物作用前的、具有部分生物活性的有机质(轻组有机质、砂粒组和粗粉砂粒组中的有机质、POM和iPOM)和完全具有生物活性的有机质(微生物体C和水溶性有机质)转移,这一过程与土壤有机质概念的拓展密不可分。     

The Impact of Corn Residue Removal on Soil Aggregates and Particulate Organic Matter

Removal of corn (Zea mays L.) stover as a biofuel feedstock is being considered. It is important to understand the implications of this practice when establishing removal guidelines to ensure the long-term sustainability of both the biofuel industry and soil health. Aboveground and belowground plant residues are the soil’s main sources of organic materials that bind soil particles together into aggregates and increase soil carbon (C) storage. Serving to stabilize soil particles, soil organic matter (SOM) assists in supplying plant available nutrients, increases water holding capacity, and helps reduce soil erosion. Data obtained from three Corn Stover Regional Partnership sites (Brookings, SD; Morris, MN; and Ithaca, NE) were utilized to evaluate the impact of removing corn stover on soil physical properties, including dry aggregate size distribution (DASD), erodible fraction (EF), and SOM components. Each site consisted of a combination of three residue removal rates (low—removal of grain only, intermediate—approximately 50 % residue removal, and high—maximum amount of residue removal). Results showed that the distribution of soil aggregates was less favorable for all three locations when residue was removed without the addition of other sources of organic matter such as cover crops. Additionally, we found that when residue was removed and the soil surface was less protected, there was an increase in the EF at all three research sites. There was a reduction in the EF for both the Brookings, SD, and Ithaca, NE sites when cover crops were incorporated or additional nitrogen (N) was added to the system. Amounts of SOM, fine particulate organic matter (fPOM), and total particulate organic matter (tPOM) consistently decreased as greater amounts of residue were removed from the soil surface. Across these three locations, the removal of crop residue from the soil surface had a negative impact on measured soil physical properties. The addition of a cover crop or additional N helped reduce this impact as measured through aggregate size distribution and EF and SOM components.     

The broad impacts of corn stover and wheat straw removal for biofuel production on crop productivity,soil health and greenhouse gas emissions: A review

Biofuel production from crop residues is widely recognized as an essential component of developing a bioeconomy, but the removal of crop residues still raises many questions about the sustainability of the cropping system. Therefore, this study reviews the sustainability effects of crop residues removal for biofuel production in terms of crop production, soil health and greenhouse gas emissions. Most studies found little evidence that residue management had long‐term impacts on grain yield unless the available water is limited. In years when water was not limiting, corn and wheat removal rates ≥90% produced similar or greater grain yield than no removal in most studies. Conversely, when water was limiting, corn grain yield decreased up to 21% with stover removal ≥90% in some studies. Changes in soil organic fractions and nutrients depended largely on the amount of residue returned, soil depth and texture, slope and tillage. Reductions in organic fractions occurred primarily with complete stover removal, in the top 15–30 cm in fine‐textured soils. Soil erosion, water runoff and leaching of nutrients such as total nitrogen (N) and extractable soil potassium decreased when no more than 30% of crop residues were removed. Stover management effects on soil bulk density varied considerably depending on soil layer, and residue and tillage management, with removal rates of less than 50% helping to maintain the soil aggregate stability. Reductions in CO₂ and N₂O fluxes typically occurred following complete residue removal. The use of wheat straw typically increased CH₄ emissions, and above or equal to 8 Mg/ha wheat straw led to the largest CO₂ and N₂O emissions, regardless of N rates. Before using crop residues for biofuel production, it should therefore always be checked whether neutral to positive sustainability effects can be maintained under the site‐specific conditions.     

不同还田方式对砂质潮土理化性质及微生物的影响

为探索不同物料还田方式对中低产田砂质潮土的改良效果,在黄淮海平原麦玉轮作区典型砂质潮土上进行了连续6季的田间小区试验,设置全量秸秆翻耕还田(TS),秸秆等碳量的生物炭(TB)及半量秸秆半量生物炭配合翻耕还田(TSB),全量秸秆免耕覆盖还田(NTS)和半量秸秆半量生物炭配合免耕覆盖还田(NTSB),共5种还田方式。结果表明,与常规秸秆翻耕还田(TS)相比,生物炭翻耕还田(TB)显著降低土壤容重,增加玉米各个生育期土壤水分和p H值,有机质含量提升了16.4%,但TB处理的土壤大团聚体降低了21.2%和微生物数量降低了16.1%;翻耕秸秆配合生物炭还田(TSB)除了显著降低了大团聚体数量,对其余理化及微生物指标的影响均不显著;免耕模式下的秸秆还田(NTS)和秸秆生物炭配施(NTSB)分别在玉米生长的喇叭口期和收获期显著增加了土壤水分含量、耕层土壤的微生物数量和有效降低砂质潮土分形维数,对容重和有机质含量有一定的改善,其中NTSB有机质含量提升了14.9%和微生物数量增加了53.7%,对砂质潮土改良效果更好。总体来说,短期内用等碳量的生物炭替代秸秆翻耕还田更多的表现为物理的掺混效应,虽能有效提升土壤有机质含量,但不能有效改善砂质潮土的物理结构及生物性质,一半秸秆用生物炭替代还田对该类土壤的理化及微生物指标的改良效果也不显著,而免耕条件下秸秆配合生物碳还田效果最佳,可为砂质潮土的改良提供新的途径和理论依据。     

保护性耕作对农田土壤水分和冬小麦产量的影响

保护性耕作是提高土壤蓄水保墒能力并增加作物产量的重要农艺措施之一.基于河南省长期定位试验2011-2016年数据,分析不同耕作措施(传统耕作、免耕和深松处理)对土壤水分、作物产量和水分利用效率的影响.结果表明: 2011-2016年免耕和深松耕作处理下冬小麦拔节期平均相对保墒率分别为7.3%和-0.68%,且免耕较传统耕作显著提高了冬小麦拔节期0～60 cm土壤贮水量.与传统耕作相比,免耕提高了冬小麦拔节期、扬花期、灌浆期和成熟期0～100 cm土壤平均含水量,而深松耕作并未明显提高冬小麦拔节期土壤平均含水量.此外,免耕较传统耕作能够显著提高冬小麦产量和水分利用效率,尤其在较干旱年份其增产效果更优.因此,免耕的蓄水保墒及增产效果在较干旱年份明显优于深松耕作.     

Soil water availability for plants as quantified by conventional available water, least limiting water range and integral water capacity

There are different approaches to define the soil available water (SAW) for plants. The objectives of this study are to evaluate the SAW values of 12 arable soils from Hamadan province (western Iran) calculated by plant available water (PAW), least limiting water range (LLWR) and integral water capacity (IWC) approaches and to explore their relations with Dexter’s index of soil physical quality (i.e., S-value). Soil water retention and mechanical resistance were determined on the intact samples which were taken from the 5–10 cm layer. For calculation of LLWR and IWC, the van Genuchten-Mualem model was fitted to the observed soil water retention data. Two matric suctions (h) of 100 and 330 cm were used for the field capacity (FC). There were significant differences (P?<?0.01) between the SAW values calculated by PAW₁₀₀, PAW₃₃₀, LLWR₁₀₀, LLWR₃₃₀ and IWC. The highest (i.e., 0.210 cm³ cm^?3) and the lowest (i.e., 0.129 cm³ cm^?3) means of SAW were calculated for the IWC and LLWR₃₃₀, respectively. The upper limit of LLWR₃₃₀ for all of the soils was h of 330 cm, and that of LLWR₁₀₀ (except for one soil that was air-filled porosity of 0.1 cm³ cm^?3) was h of 100 cm. The lower limit of LLWR₃₃₀ and LLWR₁₀₀ for five soils was h of 15,000 cm and for seven soils was mechanical resistance of 2 MPa. The IWC values were smaller than those of LLWR₁₀₀ for two soils, equal to those of LLWR₁₀₀ for three soils and greater than those of LLWR₁₀₀ for the rest. There is, therefore, a tendency to predict more SAW using the IWC approach than with the LLWR approach. This is due to the chosen critical soil limits and gradual changes of soil limitations vs. water content in the IWC calculation procedure. Significant relationships of SAW with bulk density or relative bulk density were found but not with the clay and organic matter contents. Linear relations between IWC and LLWR₁₀₀ or LLWR₃₃₀ were found as: IWC?=??0.0514 + 1.4438LLWR₁₀₀, R ²?=?0.83; and IWC?=??0.0405 + 2.0465LLWR₃₃₀, R ²?=?0.84, respectively (both significant at P?<?0.01). Significant relationships were obtained between the SAW values and S indicating the suitability of the index S to explain the availability of soil water for plants even when complicated approaches like IWC are considered. Overall, the results demonstrate the importance of the choice of the approach to be used and its critical limits in the estimation of the soil available water to plants.     

Yield and yield components of maize and soil physical properties as affected by tillage practices and organic mulching

Maize (Zea mays L.) is an important grains cereal crop. Lots of farmers using tillage and mulching practices influence the final yield, to maintain up with the growing demand for food, fuel and feed. Field experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of tillage practices (i.e. conventional tillage CT, reduced tillage RT, deep tillage DT) and wheat straw mulching (i.e. no mulch and wheat straw mulch of 4, 8 and 12 Mg ha⁻¹, SM0, SM1, SM2 and SM3 respectively) on the growth, yield and yield components of maize and some of soil physical properties. The results showed that compared with RT, DT and CT decreased soil bulk density, as well as led to increase soil water content. Application of mulch treatments increased soil water content. DT and CT have been associated with greater plant height, yield components, grain and biomass yield than RT treatment. Plant height, yield components, grain and biomass yield as well as soil water content increased following mulching treatments. Mulching treatment of SM2 had the largest positive effects on maize yield. DT and CT that have potential to break the compacted zone in soil leading to a better soil environment and crop yield. The application of wheat straw mulch could be an efficient soil management practice for corn production in arid subtropical climate region.