Soil water and temperature characteristics under different straw mulching and tillage measures in the black soil region of China

To evaluate the effects of straw mulching and tillage on the soil water, soil temperature, and water use efficiency of maize (Zea mays L.), five straw mulching and tillage treatments were established: conventional tillage with no straw mulching (CK), conventional tillage with 1.0-fold straw mulching (CM₁), no-tillage with 0.5-fold straw mulching (NM_0.5), no-tillage with 1.0-fold straw mulching (NM₁), and no-tillage with 1.5-fold straw mulching (NM_1.5). Except for the soil water content in the 40 to 60 cm soil layer at the V3 stage, straw mulching improved the soil water content, had different effects on the soil temperature at different soil depths, and improved the water use efficiency by 7.24%. As the straw mulching quantity increased, the soil water content and water use efficiency increased, and soil temperature in the different soil layers and growth stages presented different trends. In addition to the soil water content at the V6 growth stage, no-tillage improved the soil water content, soil temperature, and water use efficiency compared with conventional tillage. Overall, NM_1.5 had the best soil water conservation and temperature increasing effects, significantly improved the water use efficiency, and was the most appropriate straw mulching and tillage measure in the research area.