Varying Effects of Straw-Returning Methods on Soil Microbial Diversity and Community Composition in Northeast China

Straw-returning is an effective way to improve straw utilization efficiency and reduce environmental pollution. Various straw-returning methods exist; however, their effects on soil microbial diversity and community composition in cool regions have been little studied. This study investigated the changes of soil microbial diversity and community composition under three straw-returning methods, i.e., straw mulching, straw mulching and overturning, straw crushed and mixed, as compared to straw removal as control. The results showed that straw-returning could alter the soil microbial community composition and abundance compared with straw removal. Alpha diversity analysis showed that straw mulching treatment, and straw crushed and mixed treatment significantly increased the diversity of both soil bacteria and fungi compared with straw mulching and overturning treatment. Moreover, this study preliminarily screened <i>Trichoderma</i>, <i>Chaetomium</i> and <i>Streptomyces</i> as potential straw-degrading microorganisms. This study provides basis for further enhancement of straw degradation by using soil microorganisms and sheds light on future work for improving straw degradation efficiency.