Abstract
Global warming may reduce maize yields and soil organic carbon (SOC), potentially threatening global food security and soil health. To address this concern in Northeast China, one of the world’s major maize production areas, the maize Agricultural Production Systems Simulator Model (APSIM) was used to evaluate how different tillage methods and straw return practices affect maize yields and SOC under future climate scenarios. The purpose of this study is to deal with the threat of global warming to the yield and SOC in the northeastern maize-producing areas, explore sustainable agricultural management strategies to stabilize the yield, enhance the soil carbon pool, counter the impact of climate change, and seek ways to ensure regional food and soil health. This study explored three tillage methods—plowing tillage (PT), rotary tillage (RT), and no-tillage (NT)—and two straw return methods—straw return (SR) and no straw return (SN)—under two Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) scenarios: RCP4.5 and RCP8.5. The results showed that under the climate change scenarios: (1) For different tillage methods, no-tillage (NT) management showed the greatest increase in crop yield at 6.2%. SOC is highest under NT in the 0–20 cm soil layer under both straw return methods and climate scenarios. (2) For different straw return methods, SOC decreases when the straw is removed (SN) but increases when the straw is returned (SR) in both scenarios. Soil organic carbon density (SOCD) declines but can be mitigated by straw return. (3) Overall, tillage and straw return practices can significantly impact SOC under RCP4.5 but not under RCP8.5. Tillage and straw return practices together explain more than 50% yield changes under climate change scenarios. Through the modeling approach, this study revealed the potential benefits of integrating tillage and straw management practices to sustain maize yields and SOC. These practices can mitigate long-term climate change impacts on crop yields and soil health.
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Claims 8
Claim · model-written summary
No-tillage showed the greatest crop yield increase, 6.2%.
Zea maysNot reportedComparator
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“no-tillage (NT) management showed the greatest increase in crop yield at 6.2%”
t0“Maize”
Claim · model-written summary
SOC was highest under no-tillage in the 0–20 cm layer across straw and climate scenarios.
- Treatment
- NTe0
- Outcome
- SOCe0
- Direction
- higheste0
- Qualifier
- 0–20 cm soil layer under both straw return methods and climate scenariose0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“SOC is highest under NT in the 0–20 cm soil layer under both straw return methods and climate scenarios.”
t0“Maize”
Claim · model-written summary
Removing straw decreased SOC in both scenarios.
Not reportedComparator
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“SOC decreases when the straw is removed (SN) but increases when the straw is returned (SR) in both scenarios.”
t0“Maize”
Claim · model-written summary
Returning straw increased SOC in both scenarios.
Not reportedComparator
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“SOC decreases when the straw is removed (SN) but increases when the straw is returned (SR) in both scenarios.”
t0“Maize”
Claim · model-written summary
SOCD declined, with the decline mitigated by straw return.
Not reportedComparator
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Soil organic carbon density (SOCD) declines but can be mitigated by straw return.”
t0“Maize”
Claim · model-written summary
Tillage and straw return significantly affected SOC under RCP4.5.
Not reportedDirection
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“tillage and straw return practices can significantly impact SOC under RCP4.5 but not under RCP8.5.”
t0“Maize”
Claim · model-written summary
Tillage and straw return did not significantly affect SOC under RCP8.5.
Not reportedDirection
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“tillage and straw return practices can significantly impact SOC under RCP4.5 but not under RCP8.5.”
t0“Maize”
Claim · model-written summary
Tillage and straw return jointly explained more than 50% of yield changes.
Not reportedDirection
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Tillage and straw return practices together explain more than 50% yield changes under climate change scenarios.”
t0“Maize”
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