Advances in research involving deep incorporation of enriched straw on soil quality

China’s agricultural production is facing the problems of increasing amounts of straw, shallow plow layers, low fertility, and compacted soils. In the past, the management of agricultural land concentrated on topsoil, resulting in the emergence of these phenomena. Until recently, the management of deep soils has received considerable attention from researchers, and various innovative field measures have emerged. The deep incorporation of enriched straw is a novel and efficient straw management approach that has advantages for the efficient use of crop residues, improvement of soil fertility and productivity, and enhancement of agricultural soil quality. This approach can break-up compacted soil in the bottom layer of the plow, alleviate the problem of microorganisms competing with crops for nitrogen, mitigate the negative effects on the quality of sowing and seedlings, improve the quality of soil in cultivated farmlands, and realize the high-quality and efficient use of straw resources. The deep incorporation of enriched straw provides a practical means for straw field treatment and land health conservation for intensive agricultural production in China. This study introduces a new straw return approach, the deep incorporation of enriched straw, summarizes the technical characteristics, results, research progress, and application potential of the novel approach and reviews the effects and mechanisms of deep straw incorporation on soil physical, chemical, and biological properties. Finally, we propose future priorities for the in-depth exploration of this novel approach, which will contribute to the longterm conservation of farmland.