Accelerated straw decomposition and mitigated methane emissions <i>via</i> autumn puddling incorporation enhances soil health and yield stability in cold-region rice systems of China

This study discusses two challenges to rice production in China's cold growing regions: the slow decomposition of straw due to low temperatures in the winter, and the environmental threats-concentrated methane emissions and soil reduction stress-associated with incorporation in the spring. To address these issues, a field experiment was conducted over two years (2022-2023) in paddy fields in central Jilin Province. The outcomes of three treatments were compared: no straw return (CK), puddling with water to promote straw incorporation in the spring (T1), and puddling with water to promote straw incorporation in the autumn (T2). The results demonstrated that T2 significantly enhanced the straw decomposition rate compared to T1 by extending the decomposition period, resulting in a 2.9% increase in straw weight loss after incorporation and a reduction in total methane emissions by 32.3%. T2 produced a smaller decline in soil redox potential, thereby alleviating soil reduction stress. Compared to CK, T2 significantly increased the levels of nitrogen, phosphorus , and calcium in the soil. T2 also maintained greater root activity and higher stem numbers than T1. While the grain yield under T2 did not differ significantly from that of CK, the yield under T1 was significantly reduced by 12.7%. Thus, incorporating puddling in autumn accelerates straw decomposition, reduces summer methane peaks, alleviates soil stress, enhances nutrient supply, and stabilizes yields. This makes it a sustainable strategy for managing straw in cold-region rice systems.