Influence of Crop Residue Management and Soil Tillage Method on Reducing the Carbon Footprint of Winter Wheat Production in the Salt-Affected Arable Land in the North China Plain

Salt-affected arable land is distributed widely in China, especially the North China Plain. Crop residue management under appropriate tillage critical to improving salt-affected soil organic carbon and reducing footprint. This study conducted four-year field experiments including two treatments (residue incorporated into with plough (CT+); mulching no-till (NT+)) sites (non-saline soil); footprint of wheat production was analyzed by life cycle assessment. The results showed that significantly larger than non-saline soil, because exhibited higher N2O emission soil. CT+ has lower NT+, mainly due sequestration compared NT+. As for largest contributor per unit area emission, a relative contribution 40%; yield sequestration, importance 47–50%. Our indicated high footprint, while it can be decreased incorporating crop tillage.