Synergistic optimization of mulching types and planting patterns: enhancing sustainable maize productivity via soil quality regulation in rainfed agricultural systems

doi:10.1016/j.jia.2026.03.044

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Zeyin Jiang¹^,², Xiaoling Wang¹^,², Wei Wang¹^,², Yafang Han¹^,², Muhammad Shoaib Asad¹^,², Wenbo Lü^{1, 2}, Enke Liu³, Xining Zhao⁴, Xiaoli Chen^{1, 2}, Peng Zhang^{1, 2}, Tiening Liu^{1, 2}, Zhikuan Jia^{1, 2}, Xiaolong Ren¹^,²^#

¹College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China

²Key Laboratory of Crop Physiology, Ecology and Tillage Science in Northwestern Loess Plateau of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China

³ Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China

⁴Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources, Yangling 712100, China

Highlights

· Planting patterns and mulch types regulate maize yield by influencing the soil microenvironment.

· Straw mulching in the ridge-furrow system enhanced soil microbial activity and diversity, thereby improving carbon source utilization.

· The ridge-furrow system with straw mulching represents the optimal planting pattern for achieving sustainable development of dryland agriculture.

Abstract
References

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摘要

优化种植模式和覆盖物被认为是提高雨养农业生产力的有力措施。然而，缺乏长期定位试验揭示种植模式结合覆盖物类型对旱作玉米农田土壤微环境及作物产量的调控机制。本研究通过设置2种种植方式（R：垄沟种植；C：传统平播种植）结合3种覆盖物类型（S：秸秆；B：生物地膜；W：无覆盖），进行7年定位试验，探究不同处理对土壤-作物系统的综合影响。结果表明，垄沟种植显著提升0–200 cm土层储水量2.02–9.63%，秸秆覆盖提高有机质含量。垄沟秸秆覆盖处理（RS）表现出最优的土壤微生态效应，其微生物Shannon指数和Richness指数较传统平作（CW）提升148.50–203.64%和15.49–50.29%，碳源代谢效率提高99.58–236.17%。此外，RS处理的产量最高。偏最小二乘路径建模（PLS-PM）揭示种植模式结合覆盖物主要通过改善土壤质量指数（R²=0.98；路径系数（pc）=0.70）间接调节作物产量。多目标决策分析证实，RS是同时实现维护土壤健康、提高资源利用效率和作物产量的最优模式。本研究为优化中国北方旱地春玉米种植系统提供了新策略，有效促进该地区土壤-作物系统可持续发展。

Abstract

Optimized planting patterns and mulching practices are recognized as robust strategies for enhancing productivity in rainfed agriculture. However, the regulatory mechanisms of crop yield and soil microenvironment in dryland farming under different planting patterns combined with mulch types remain unclear due to a lack of long-term field experiments. In this study, a seven-years field experiment was conducted with two planting methods (R, ridge-furrow planting; C, conventional flat planting) and three mulch types (S, straw; B, biodegradable film; W, without mulch) to investigate the comprehensive effects of different treatments on the soil-crop system. Ridge-furrow planting pattern significantly increased soil water storage within the 0–200 cm profile by 2.02–9.63%, while straw mulching enhanced soil organic matter content. The RS (ridge-furrow planting combined with straw mulch) demonstrated higher soil microecological functioning as compared to CW (flat planting without mulch), microbial Shannon and Richness indices increased by 148.50–203.64, and 15.49–50.29%, respectively, while carbon source metabolic efficiency improved by 99.58–236.17%. In addition, the RS treatment achieved the highest yield. Partial least squares path modeling (PLS-PM) revealed that the integration of planting with mulching primarily enhanced crop yield indirectly by improving the soil quality index (R²=0.98; path coefficient (pc)=0.70). Multi-objective decision analysis confirmed that RS represents the optimal strategy for concurrently maintaining soil health, improving resource use efficiency, and increasing crop yields. This study provides a novel strategy for optimizing spring maize cropping systems in the drylands of northern China and effectively promoting the sustainability of the soil-crop system.

Keywords: dryland planting patterns mulching soil quality grain yield

Online: 18 March 2026

Fund:

The authors are grateful to the reviewers and editors for their constructive review and suggestions for this paper. This study was supported by the 14th Five-Year Plan National Key R&D Program of China (2023YFD1900503, 2021YFD1901102 and 2021YFD1900700).

About author: Zeyin Jiang, E-mail: Jianzeyin7844@163.com; #Correspondence Xiaolong Ren, E-mail: rxlcxl@aliyun.com

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Zeyin Jiang, Xiaoling Wang, Wei Wang, Yafang Han, Muhammad Shoaib Asad, Wenbo Lü, Enke Liu, Xining Zhao, Xiaoli Chen, Peng Zhang, Tiening Liu, Zhikuan Jia, Xiaolong Ren. 2026. Synergistic optimization of mulching types and planting patterns: enhancing sustainable maize productivity via soil quality regulation in rainfed agricultural systems. Journal of Integrative Agriculture, Doi:10.1016/j.jia.2026.03.044

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