Combining conservation tillage with nitrogen fertilization promotes maize straw decomposition by regulating soil microbial community and enzyme activities

Straw return can effectively improve farmland soil microenvironment and fertility.However,excessive straw in the topsoil adversely affects seed germination and crop growth.At present,the characteristics and key driving factors of straw decomposition in dry farmlands are unclear.Based on the interactions between tillage practices including zero tillage(ZT),chisel tillage(CT),and plow tillage(PT)and nitrogen(N)fertilization,i.e.,low N(N1,180 kg ha^(-1)),normal N(N2,240 kg ha^(-1)),and high N(N3,300 kg ha^(-1)),quantitative polymerase chain reaction technology and an enzymatic detection kit were used to investigate the effects of key straw C-degrading enzyme activities and microbial abundance in soil on maize straw decomposition during the growth period of winter wheat in the winter wheat/summer maize double cropping system in a dry farmland of the Loess Plateau,China.Between 2018 and 2020,ZT and CT significantly increased winter wheat yield(by 10.94%and 12.79%,respectively)and straw decomposition velocity(by 20%and 26.67%,respectively),compared with PT.Compared to N1 and N3,N2 significantly increased wheat yield(by 4.65%and 5.31%,respectively)and straw decomposition velocity(by 26.33%and 13.21%,respectively).The partial least squares pathway modelling showed significant positive direct effects of soil moisture,NO3-,NH4+,total N,bacteria,and cellulase,laccase,and xylanase activities on straw decomposition,while soil pH,fungi,and Actinomycetes had significant negative direct effects.Overall,conservation tillage(ZT and CT)combined with N2 was beneficial for straw decomposition in the drylands of the Loess Plateau and improved straw resource utilization and basic soil fertility.The results of the study clarified the key drivers of straw decomposition in dry farmlands and provided new ideas for developing updated soil management practices and adaptive N application strategies to promote the resource utilization of straw and achieve the goals of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality.

The SUPER reporting guideline suggested for reporting of surgical technique

Background:Existing reporting guidelines pay insufficient attention to the detail and comprehensiveness reporting of surgical technique.The Surgical techniqUe rePorting chEcklist and standaRds(SUPER)aims to address this gap by defining reporting standards for surgical technique.The SUPER guideline intends to apply to articles that encompass surgical technique in any study design,surgical discipline,and stage of surgical innovation.Methods:Following the EQUATOR(Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research)Network approach,16 surgeons,journal editors,and methodologists reviewed existing reporting guidelines relating to surgical technique,reviewed papers from 15 top journals,and brainstormed to draft initial items for the SUPER.The initial items were revised through a three-round Delphi survey from 21 multidisciplinary Delphi panel experts from 13 countries and regions.The final SUPER items were formed after an online consensus meeting to resolve disagreements and a three-round wording refinement by all 16 SUPER working group members and five SUPER consultants.Results:The SUPER reporting guideline includes 22 items that are considered essential for good and informative surgical technique reporting.The items are divided into six sections:background,rationale,and objectives(items 1 to 5);preoperative preparations and requirements(items 6 to 9);surgical technique details(items 10 to 15);postoperative considerations and tasks(items 16 to 19);summary and prospect(items 20 and 21);and other information(item 22).Conclusions:The SUPER reporting guideline has the potential to guide detailed,comprehensive,and transparent surgical technique reporting for surgeons.It may also assist journal editors,peer reviewers,systematic reviewers,and guideline developers in the evaluation of surgical technique papers and help practitioners to better understand and reproduce surgical technique.