Straw return increases crop production by improving soil organic carbon sequestration and soil aggregation in a long-term wheat-cotton cropping system

Straw return is a promising strategy for managing soil organic carbon(SOC)and improving yield stability.However,the optimal straw return strategy for sustainable crop production in the wheat(Triticum aestivum L.)-cotton(Gossypium hirsutum L.)cropping system remains uncertain.The objective of this study was to quantify the long-term(10 years)impact of carbon(C)input on SOC sequestration,soil aggregation and crop yields in a wheat-cotton cropping system in the Yangtze River Valley,China.Five treatments were arranged with a single-factor randomized design as follows:no straw return(Control),return of wheat straw only(Wt),return of cotton straw only(Ct),return of 50%wheat and 50%cotton straw(Wh-Ch)and return of 100%wheat and 100%cotton straw(Wt-Ct).In comparison to the Control,the SOC content increased by 8.4 to 20.2%under straw return.A significant linear positive correlation between SOC sequestration and C input(1.42-7.19 Mg ha^(−1)yr^(−1))(P<0.05)was detected.The percentages of aggregates of sizes>2 and 1-2 mm at the 0-20 cm soil depth were also significantly elevated under straw return,with the greatest increase of the aggregate stability in the Wt-Ct treatment(28.1%).The average wheat yields increased by 12.4-36.0%and cotton yields increased by 29.4-73.7%,and significantly linear positive correlations were also detected between C input and the yields of wheat and cotton.The average sustainable yield index(SYI)reached a maximum value of 0.69 when the C input was 7.08 Mg ha^(−1)yr^(−1),which was close to the maximum value(SYI of 0.69,C input of 7.19 Mg ha^(−1)yr^(-1))in the Wt-Ct treatment.Overall,the return of both wheat and cotton straw was the best strategy for improving SOC sequestration,soil aggregation,yields and their sustainability in the wheat-cotton rotation system.

Co-incorporating green manure and crop straw increases crop productivity and improves soil quality with low greenhouse-gas emissions in a crop rotation

In a nine-year field experiment in a wheat-maize-sunflower cropping system in Hetao Irrigation Area,Inner Mongolia,China,organic amendments applied as straw,manure,green manure,and the combination of green manure and straw increased wheat and maize yield,soil aggregate stability,and soil microbial activity in comparison with chemical fertilizer,without changing greenhouse gas emission intensity.

Characteristics of the microbial communities regulate soil multi-functionality under different cover crop amendments in Ultisol

The use of cover crops is a promising strategy for influencing the soil microbial consortium,which is essential for the delivery of multiple soil functions(i.e.,soil multifunctionality).Nonetheless,relatively little is known about the role of the soil microbial consortium in mediating soil multifunctionality under different cover crop amendments in dryland Ultisols.Here,we assessed the multifunctionality of soils subjected to four cover crop amendments(control,non-amended treatment;RD,radish monoculture;HV,hairy vetch monoculture;and RDHV,radish-hairy vetch mixture),and we investigated the contributions of soil microbial richness,network complexity,and ecological clusters to soil multifunctionality.Our results demonstrated that cover crops whose chemical composition differed from that of the main plant crop promoted higher multifunctionality,and the radish-hairy vetch mixture rendered the highest enhancement.We obtained evidence that changes in soil microbial richness and network complexity triggered by the cover crops were associated with higher soil multifunctionality.Specifically,specialized microbes in a key ecological cluster(ecological cluster 2)of the soil microbial network were particularly important for maintaining soil multifunctionality.Our results highlight the importance of cover crop-induced variations in functionally important taxa for promoting the soil multifunctionality of dryland Ultisols.

Near-Surface Soil Chemical Properties as Affected by Cover Crops Over Time in the Lower Mississippi River Valley

Typical row-crop agricultural practices can potentially be harmful to soil health and future sustainability. The use of cover crops (CC) as a mechanism to improve soil health on a wide scale remains underutilized. Soil health remains a major concern for the sustainability of agricultural productivity, therefore, research into CC implementation as a mean to preserve or improve soil health is warranted. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of CC on the soils in the eastern Arkansas portion of the Lower Mississippi River Valley (LMRV) over time for various chemical soil parameters, including pH, soil organic matter (SOM), soil elemental contents (i.e., P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Na, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, and B), soil respiration, and a generalized soil health score index. Soil pH decreased over time under both CC and no-cover-crop (NCC) treatments, by −0.3 and −0.2, respectively. Soil OM decreased over time under NCC by −0.1%, but did not differ between CC treatments. Soil N availability decreased over time under NCC (−22.6 kg·ha−1), but did not change over time under CC. Soil respiration decreased over time under both CC and NCC, by −76.1 mg·L−1 and −77.3 mg·L−1, respectively, though there was no effect of CC treatment. The Haney soil health score index decreased under CC (−7.0) and NCC (−6.8) without an effect from CC treatment. Results of the study place emphasis on the temporal nature of soil health as influenced by cover crops and their potential to improve soil health.

Impact on Soil Organic C and Total Soil N from Cool- and Warm-Season Legumes Used in a Green Manure-Forage Cropping System

Annual forage legumes are important components of livestock production systems in East Texas and the southeastern US. Forage legumes contribute nitrogen (N) to cropping systems through biological N fixation, and their seasonal biomass production can be managed to complement forage grasses. Our research objectives were to evaluate both warm- and cool-season annual forage legumes as green manure for biomass, N content, ability to enhance soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil N, and impact on post season forage grass crops. Nine warm-season forage legumes (WSL) were spring planted and incorporated as green manure in the fall. Forage rye (Secale cereale L.) was planted following the incorporation of WSL treatments. Eight cool-season forage legumes (CSL) were fall planted in previously fallow plots and incorporated as green manure in late spring. Sorghum-sudangrass (Sorghum bicolor x Sorghum bicolor var. sudanense) was planted over all treatments in early summer after forage rye harvest and incorporation of CSL treatments. Sorghum-sudangrass was harvested in June, August and September, and treatments were evaluated for dry matter and N concentration. Soil cores were taken from each plot, split into depths of 0 to 15, 15 to 30 and 30 to 60 cm, and soil C and N were measured using combustion analysis. Nylon mesh bags containing plant samples were buried at 15 cm and used to evaluate decomposition rate of above ground legume biomass, including change in C and N concentrations. Mungbean (Vigna radiata L. [Wilczek]) had the highest shoot biomass yield (6.24 t DM ha-1) and contributed the most total N (167 kg∙ha-1) and total C (3043 kg∙ha-1) of the WSL tested. Decomposition rate of WSL biomass was rapid in the first 10 weeks and very slow afterward. Winter pea (Pisum sativum L. spp. sativum), arrow leaf clover (Trifolium vesiculosum Savi.), and crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.) were the most productive CSL in this trial. Austrian winter pea produced 8.41 t DM ha-1 with a total N yield of 319 kg N ha-1 and total C production of 3835 kg C ha-1. The WSL treatments had only small effects on rye forage yield and N concentration, possibly due to mineralization of N from a large SOC pool already in place. The CSL treatments also had only minimal effects on sorghum-sudangrass forage production. Winter pea, arrow leaf and crimson clover were productive cool season legumes and could be useful as green manure crops. Mungbean and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walp.) were highly productive warm season legumes but may include more production risk in green manure systems due to soil moisture competition.

Physico-Chemical Analysis of Soils Used for Pineapple Cultivation in the Sub-Prefectures of Maferinyah and Friguiagbé (Prefectures of Forécariah and Kindia) Republic of Guinea

Over the years, pineapple production in the Republic of Guinea has become less competitive in the West African sub-region, with a world ranking of 144th. It is therefore only natural to review certain parameters in order to improve this ranking. To do this, certain physico-chemical parameters of soil samples from Friguiagbé and Maferinyah (in the Kindia and Forécariah prefectures) were taken and analysed using the following techniques: Pipette de Robinson, Anne, Bray II, Kapen HICDVITZ, Mc. Lead (1982). The analytical results show that the soils at Friguiagbé in Kindia and Maferinyah in Forécariah are acidic, with pH values of 4.4 and 4.7 (fields I and II) and 4.8 and 4.7 (fields I and II) respectively. The soils have a silty-sandy texture. This study could therefore serve as a guide for the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Guinea.

Impacts of Micro- and Nano-Plastics on Soil Properties and Plant Production in Agroecosystems: A Mini-Review

Micro- and nano-plastics (MNPs) are tiny plastic particles resulting from plastic product degradation. Soil MNPs have been identified as potential influential factors affecting various soil properties and crop biomass productivity. This mini-review provides a synthesis of recent findings concerning their effects on soil physicochemical properties, microorganisms, organic carbon content, soil nutrients, greenhouse gas emissions, soil fauna, and their impacts on plant ecophysiology, growth, and production. The results indicate that MNPs may markedly impede soil aggregation ability, increase porosity, decrease soil bulk density, enhance water retention capacity, influence soil pH and electrical conductivity, and escalate soil water evaporation. Exposure to MNPs may predominantly induce changes in soil microbial composition, reducing the diversity and complexity of microbial communities and microbial activity while enhancing soil organic carbon stability, influencing soil nutrient dynamics, and stimulating organic carbon decomposition and denitrification processes, leading to elevated soil respiration and methane emissions, and potentially decreasing soil nitrous oxide emission. Additionally, MNPs may adversely affect soil fauna, diminish seed germination rates, promote plant root growth, yet impair plant photosynthetic efficacy and biomass productivity. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the impacts and mechanistic foundations of MNPs. Future research avenues are suggested to further explore the impacts and economic implications.

Research Progress on Effects of Continuous Cropping on Soil Microbial Florae and Its Restoration

Continuous cropping has become a common form of agricultural production at present, but with the increase of continuous cropping years, continuous cropping obstacles such as soil-borne diseases and plant growth potential decline are becoming more and more common. At present, the causes of continuous cropping obstacles and continuous cropping restoration have become a hot issue in agricultural research. This paper summarized the effects of continuous cropping obstacles on soil microbial community structure and main technical methods to repair continuous cropping obstacles, such as agricultural measure management, microbial balance adjustment and soil improvement, aiming to provide theoretical reference for protecting the sustainable utilization of soil ecosystem and ensuring the stability of crop production.

Effects of Continuous Cropping on Soil Microbial Flora and Research Progress of Continuous Cropping Obstacle Reduction Techniques

Continuous cropping can bring economic benefits in a short time and meet the growing demand of agricultural products such as grain,but long-term continuous cropping will accelerate soil degradation,lead to the reduction of crop yield and the increase of disease rate,and destroy the balance of soil microbial structure.Therefore,it is not conducive to the sustainable development of soil ecosystem.In this paper,the problems caused by continuous cropping,such as imbalance of soil microbial flora,decrease of biodiversity,accumulation of root exudates and their effects on soil fertility and crop growth,were summarized,and some measures were suggested to alleviate the obstacles of continuous cropping,such as reasonable rotation,adjustment of intercropping planting mode and application of biological fertilizers.Moreover,the paper also looked forward to the development trend of continuous cropping obstacle reduction techniques,including the integration and application of biological techniques,the promotion of green ecological techniques and the application of intelligent management system.This study provides theoretical basis and technical support for the research of continuous cropping obstacle reduction techniques and promote the healthy and sustainable development of modern agriculture.

Impact of Continuous Cropping on Soil Phenolic Acid Substances and Research Progress on Continuous Cropping Obstacle Reduction Techniques

At present,long-term continuous cropping in agricultural production has formed a relatively common development trend.With the increase of continuous cropping years,soil phenolic acids are also affected to varying degrees.This paper summarized the effects of continuous cropping on soil phenolic acids and the research progress of continuous cropping obstacle reduction techniques,aiming at providing theoretical basis and technical support for the research of continuous cropping obstacle reduction techniques and promoting the healthy and sustainable development of modern agriculture.

SimET: An open-source tool for estimating crop evapotranspiration and soil water balance for plants with multiple growth cycles

Accurate estimation of crop evapotranspiration(ETc) and soil water balance, which is vital for optimizing water management strategy in crop production, can be performed by simulation. But existing software has many deficiencies, including complex operation, limited scalability, lack of batch processing, and a single ETc model. Here we present simET, an open-source software package written in the R programming language. Many concepts involved in crop ETc simulation are condensed into functions in the package. It includes three widely used crop ETc models built on these functions: the single-crop coefficient,double-crop coefficient, and Shuttleworth–Wallace models, along with tools for preparing model data and comparing estimates. SimET supports ETc simulation in crops with repeated growth cycles such as alfalfa, a perennial forage crop that is cut multiple times annually.

Responses of Crop Yields and Soil Fertility to Long-term Nutrient Lacking

[Objective] Long-term （over 18 years） fertilization experiments were con- ducted to study the responses of crop yields and soil fertility to long-term nutrient lacking at Zhengzhou in China. [Method] The present study consisted of five treat- ments： 1 CK （no fertilizer or manure）, （2） NP （nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer applied）, 31 NK （nitrogen and potassium fertilizer applied）, 4 PK （phosphorus and potassium fertilizer applied） and ：5 NPK （nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertil- izer applied）. [Result] Lacking of nitrogen or phosphorus led to a low yield; however, there was no significant difference in grain yields between the NP and NPK treat- ments which maintained a higher yield. Receiving no phosphorus, soil available phosphorus content declined to about 2.5 mg/kg. The concentration of soil ex- changeable potassium remained constant at a level of 60 mg/kg under the treat- ments without potassium fertilizer addition. Soil potassium spontaneous supply ca- pacity fluctuated around 100%.[Conclusion] In fluvo-aquic soil, nitrogen and phos- phorus were two key limiting factors to grain yields, biomass and yield component factors of wheat and maize, while potassium was not. However, potassium defi- ciency may occur in the future if there was still no potassium fertilizer applied.

Effect of Continuous Application of Controlled Release Nitrogen Fertilizer in Various Types of Soil in Dong-Ting Lake Region under Double Rice Cropping System

[Objective] This study aimed to explore the effects of continuous application of controlled release nitrogen fertilizer under double rice cropping system. [Method] By modeling three types of paddy soils in Dong-Ting Lake area, four treatments as no fertilizer （CK）, urea, controlled release nitrogen fertilizer （CRNF） and 70% controlled release nitrogen fertilizer （70% CRNF） were designed in the micro-plot trials from 2005 to 2008. [Result] The rice yield in treatment CRNF at N 150 kg/hm2 was increased by 10.3%, 8.0% and 2.4% compared with treatment of urea, in alluvial sandy loamy paddy soil （ALS）, purple calcareous clayey paddy soil （PCS）, and reddish yellow loamy paddy soil （RYS）, respectively; and the yield in treatment of 70% CRNF was increased by 6.1%, 2.6% and -0.8%, respectively. The ranking order of nitrogen uptake amount by plant in early rice and late rice was CRNF 70% CRNF urea CK in all three types of soil. Nitrogen utilization efficiency of CRNF in above three types of soil was 60.7%, 59.6% and 56.3%, increased by 23.8%, 19.4% and 16.3% compared with that in treatment of urea, respectively. Nitrogen utilization efficiency of CRNF in early rice was increased year by year, and was higher than that of 70% CRNF during the whole experiment stage, while that in late rice was increased first and then decreased from the 3rd year. [Conclusion] Continuous application CRNF could alleviate the decreasing of soil nitrogen fertility and organic carbon especially in ALS, increase rice yield and nitrogen utilization efficiency in double-rice cropping system.

小麦-玉米轮作根茬燃烧热触杀防控土传病害的试验

针对秸秆和根茬直接还田导致作物土传病害重发和频发问题,采用自主设计的可控燃烧热触杀装备进行了试验研究,分析了不同运行工况下装备内的温度分布规律、热触杀后土壤中病原真菌与细菌的灭杀率及作物植株发病程度。结果表明:当进料速度为360~1800 kg/h时,装备可实现热触杀温度(117~167℃)和送风温度(62~172℃)的有效调控,炉膛内沿程烟气温度分布呈先增大后减小趋势,稳定燃烧时炉膛最高温度可达479℃,可保证燃烧效率持续处于较高水平。土壤中细菌比真菌的耐温性更强,117℃下细菌和真菌的灭杀率分别为53.33%和33.33%,132℃以上时两者的灭杀率均达到86%以上,167℃下可实现深度灭杀。与对照组相比,秸秆与根茬燃烧高温热触杀后田间玉米植株根部病情指数降低了34.1,该研究对实现作物连作土传病害的绿色防控具有重要意义。

长期施用控释氮肥对潮土区麦-玉轮作作物产量的影响及土壤氮素供应特征研究

本研究以位于山东德州的连续10年控释氮肥长期定位试验为平台,在小麦—玉米轮作体系下,试验设置不施氮肥(PK)、农民习惯施肥(FP)、优化施肥(OPT)、控释氮肥(CRF1)和控释氮肥减量20%(CRF2)5个处理,分别在玉米抽雄期、灌浆期和小麦拔节期、孕穗期、灌浆期、成熟期采集土壤样品,测定土壤pH值、氮磷钾全量养分、铵态氮、硝态氮、碱解氮含量,测定不同处理玉米、小麦及作物周年产量,以探究长期施用控释氮肥对潮土区麦-玉轮作作物产量的影响及土壤氮素供应特征。结果表明,长期施用控释氮肥可显著提升土壤氮素供应能力,CRF1处理与OPT处理相比,玉米抽雄期和灌浆期土壤碱解氮含量分别提升14.10%和9.45%,铵态氮在抽雄期提升125.53%,小麦拔节期铵态氮和硝态氮分别提升63.73%和200.35%。与FP处理相比,CRF1处理玉米、小麦和周年产量分别显著提高13.13%、16.73%和14.89%,而CRF2处理的产量无显著变化。随机森林模型分析发现,不同施肥模式下玉米产量与灌浆期土壤碱解氮和成熟期土壤全氮含量密切相关,小麦产量则受拔节期土壤硝态氮、孕穗期碱解氮和铵态氮、灌浆期碱解氮以及成熟期土壤全氮、碱解氮含量的综合调控。综上所述,控释氮肥可通过调控氮素释放提高玉米和小麦关键生育期的土壤全氮、碱解氮、硝态氮和铵态氮含量,进而显著提高作物产量,且在减量20%控释氮肥下仍可保证作物不减产。

Selenium species transforming along soil–plant continuum and their beneficial roles for horticultural crops

Selenium(Se)acquirement from daily diet can help reduce the risk of many diseases.The edible parts of crop plants are the main source of dietary Se,while the Se content in crops is determined by Se bioavailability in soil.We summarize recent research on the biogeochemical cycle of Se driven by specific microorganisms and emphasize the oxidizing process in the Se cycle.Moreover,we discuss how plant root exudates and rhizosphere microorganisms affect soil Se availability.Finally,we cover beneficial microorganisms,including endophytes,that promote crop quality and improve crop tolerance to environmental stresses.Se availability to plants depends on the balance between adsorption and desorption,reduction,methylation and oxidation,which are determined by interactions among soil properties,microbial communities and plants.Reduction and methylation processes governed by bacteria or fungi lead to declined Se availability,while Se oxidation regulated by Se-oxidizing microorganisms increases Se availability to plants.Despite a much lower rate of Se oxidization compared to reduction and methylation,the potential roles of microbial communities in increasing Se bioavailability are probably largely underestimated.Enhancing Se oxidation and Se desorption are crucial for the promotion of Se bioavailability and uptake,particularly in Se-deficient soils.Beneficial roles of Se are reported in terms of improved crop growth and quality,and enhanced protection against fungal diseases and abiotic stress through improved photosynthetic traits,increased sugar and amino acid contents,and promoted defense systems.Understanding Se transformation along the plant-soil continuum is crucial for agricultural production and even for human health.

河套灌区根系层-深层土壤盐分动态及适宜控盐埋深

浅地下水埋深诱发的土壤次生盐碱化是干旱灌区面临的重要生态环境问题。为探讨河套灌区根系层-深层土壤盐分动态及适宜控盐埋深,该研究基于内蒙古河套灌区隆胜研究区68块灌溉农田连续2 a生育期初和生育期末0~1.80 m的土壤盐分、地下水埋深、地下水盐分的监测和作物种植类型的调查,分析了根系层-深层土壤盐分时空动态、季节性平衡机制、多个因素(如气象条件、地下水埋深、地下水矿化度、作物类型和生育期初土壤盐分等)间相互作用对生育期土壤盐分变化的影响,探明了土壤盐分对地下水年际和季节性埋深的响应。结果表明,根系层土壤盐分均在生育期积盐,休耕期脱盐;深层土壤盐分均在生育期脱盐,休耕期积盐。作物类型、生育期初(5月初)地下水埋深、生育期地下水埋深、地下水盐分及生育期初根系层土壤盐分均对生育期根系层土壤盐分变化有显著影响(P<0.05)。地下水状况与其他各因素的相互作用对生育期根系层土壤盐分变化的影响与水文年型有密切的关系。生育期初根系层土壤盐分随着地下水埋深的增大而指数减小,土壤盐分小于均值的取样点地下水埋深不小于1.60 m。当年均地下水埋深小于2.50 m,不同土层的盐分值和盐分降低速率随地下水埋深的增加而降低。在地下水埋深小于2.50 m的条件下,以概率分布法得出根系层土壤盐分中位数对应的年均适宜临界控盐地下水埋深为1.77 m,土壤盐分远大于中位数或均值的取样点的地下水埋深均小于该埋深。因此,从控盐角度考虑,建议该研究区地下水埋深生育期初应不小于1.60 m,年均地下水埋深应不小于1.77 m。研究结果可为河套灌区通过灌溉制度的设计和排水措施的合理布局控制地下水埋深提供理论依据。

Effects of residual plastic film on crop yield and soil fertility in a dryland farming system

Plastic film mulch in agricultural production becomes essential to maintaining crop yields in arid and semiarid areas.However,the presence of residual film in farmland soil has also drawn much attention.In this study,three experiments were conducted.The first two experimental designs included 0,450,1350,and 2700 kg ha^(-1) of residual film pieces of approximately 5 cm side length added to field soil(0-20 cm soil depth)for seven years and added to pots for four years.In the third experiment,1350 kg ha^(-1)of the residual film with different side lengths(2-5,5-10,10-15,and 15-20 cm)was added to field soil for six years to explore the effect of residual film fragment size on soil nutrients,soil microorganisms,crop growth and yields.The residual film had little effect on the soil moisture at a field depth of 0-2(or 0-1.8)m.There were no significant effects on organic carbon,total nitrogen,inorganic nitrogen,total phosphorus or available phosphorus in the 0-20 cm soil layer.The presence of residual film decreased the richness and diversity of the bacterial community of the surface soil of the residual film,but it had no significant effect on the microbial community of the non-surface soil.The emergence rates of wheat and lentils occasionally decreased significantly with different amounts of residue fragments added to the field.At 450-2700 kg ha^(-1),the residual film reduced the plant height and stem diameter of maize and significantly reduced the shoot biomass of harvested maize by 11-19%.The average yields of maize and potato over the seven years decreased,but there were almost no significant statistical differences among the treatments.These results provide important data for a comprehensive scientific understanding of the effects of residual film on soil and crops in dryland farming systems.

棉花-花生轮作模式对土壤养分及其产量的影响

【目的】研究棉花-花生轮作模式下土壤养分及作物产量变化规律,为新疆绿洲农区产业结构调整提供一定的理论依据。【方法】试验为长期定位试验,设棉花-花生、花生-棉花、花生-花生(对照)、棉花-棉花4个处理(对照),于各轮作作物收获后取土样,测定0~20 cm,20~40 cm,40~60 cm土壤有机质、全氮、全磷、全钾、水解氮、有效磷、速效钾含量。【结果】棉花-花生轮作下,0~20 cm土壤有效磷含量最高,是棉花连作的2倍左右,且土壤速效钾含量明显高于棉花连作,在0~40 cm土层花生连作的土壤全氮含量最高,棉花-花生轮作的土壤水解氮含量最高;棉花-花生轮作的花生、棉花产量均高于连作棉花、连作花生,且棉花-花生轮作,较花生-花生连作的花生增产16.33%;2017年花生-棉花轮作下,棉花产量较棉花轮作增产8.2%。【结论】棉花-花生轮作模式可以提高连作棉田土壤肥力,提高棉花和花生产量。

Effect of Long-Term Application of K Fertilizer and Wheat Straw to Soil on Crop Yield and Soil K Under Different Planting Systems

Effect of application of K fertilizer and wheat straw to soil on crop yield and status of soil K in the plough layer under different planting systems was studied. The experiments on long-term application of K fertilizer and wheat straw to soil in Hebei fluvo aquic soil and Shanxi brown soil in northern China were begun in 1992. The results showed that K fertilizer and straw could improve the yields of wheat and maize with the order of NPK ＋ St 〉 NPK 〉 NP ＋ St 〉 NP, and treatment of K fertilizer made a significant difference to NP, and the efficiency of K fertilizer in maize was higher than in wheat under rotation system of Hebei. In contrast with Shanxi, the wastage of soil potassium was a more serious issue in the rotation system in Hebei, only treatment of NPK ＋ St showed a surplus of potassium and the others showed a wane. K fertilizer and straw could improve the content of water-soluble K, nonspecifically adsorbed K, non-exchangeable K, mineral K, and total K in contrast to NP; however, K fertilizer and straw reduce the proportion of mineral K and improve proportion of other forms of potassium in the two locating sites. Compared with the beginning of orientation, temporal variability character of soil K content and proportion showed a difference between the two soil types; furthermore, there was a decrease in the content of mineral K and total K simultaneously in the two locating sites. As a whole, the effect of K fertilizer applied to soil directly excelled to wheat straw to soil. Wheat straw to soil was an effective measure to complement potassium to increase crop yield and retard the decrease of soil K.