Abstract: In order to explore the effects of maize straw mulching and burying returning to the field on soil physical properties and maize yield in semi-arid area, in this experiment, conventional cultivation（CK）,straw mulching and straw burying were set up.The soil bulk density, soil porosity, soil three-phase ratio R value and maize yield were measured at the mature stage of maize.The results showed that compared with CK,the average soil bulk density of each soil layer of mulching and burying at maturity decreased by 4.35% and 5.80% respectively, and the soil porosity increased by 5.13% and 6.03% respectively.The soil water content of mulching and burying treatment decreased by 14.81% and 14.81%,the water use efficiency increased by 16.35% and 16.20%,and the soil temperature decreased by 7.69% and 22.31% respectively.Straw returning significantly reduced the soil three-phase R value in the soil layer of 20-40 cm, and the R value of mulching and burying treatment decreased by 56.50% and 63.43% compared with CK.Compared with CK,the weight of 100-seed increased by 15.42% and 1.25% respectively, and the yield increased by 17.20% and 15.02% respectively.In conclusion, straw mulching and burying can improve soil physical properties, water use efficiency and maize yield.