Miaomiao  Chen^1,2

1 Jinhua Mi'ao Agricultural Development Co., Ltd., Dongyang 322100, Zhejiang, China
2 Zhejiang Agronomist College, Hangzhou 310021, Zhejiang, China
Author    Correspondence author
Molecular Soil Biology, 2026, Vol. 17, No. 3   
Received: 30 Mar., 2026    Accepted: 04 May, 2026    Published: 19 May, 2026

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Maize residue return has become an increasingly important agricultural practice for improving soil quality and promoting sustainable crop production in subtropical farmlands. As a major source of organic carbon and nutrients, returned maize residues influence a wide range of soil biological processes that are closely linked to ecosystem functioning and agricultural productivity. This review synthesizes current knowledge regarding the biological responses of subtropical agricultural soils to maize residue incorporation. Particular attention is given to the mechanisms of residue decomposition, changes in soil microbial biomass and community composition, and the responses of soil fauna and biodiversity. The review further examines how residue return affects soil enzymatic activities and nutrient cycling processes, including carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus transformations. Evidence indicates that maize residue incorporation generally enhances microbial activity, stimulates beneficial functional groups, increases soil biological diversity, and promotes nutrient availability through accelerated biochemical processes. These biological improvements contribute to greater soil organic matter accumulation, enhanced aggregate stability, improved soil health, and increased ecosystem resilience. A case study from subtropical cropping systems is presented to illustrate the practical implications of residue management strategies for sustaining soil fertility and crop productivity. Despite significant advances, challenges remain in understanding long-term biological responses, microbial interactions, and the influence of climate variability on residue-mediated processes. Future research should integrate advanced molecular techniques, long-term field experiments, and ecosystem-scale assessments to better quantify the ecological benefits of maize residue return and support sustainable farmland management in subtropical regions.

Maize residue return; Soil microbial communities; Soil enzyme activity; Nutrient cycling; Subtropical farmland