Abstract: In order to improve the quality of cultivated land and realize the recycling of straw resources,the effects of different straw returning methods on soil physical and chemical properties,maize yield and mechanical energy consumption were studied through many years of experiments.The results showed that the soil bulk density before sowing and in mature period was CK＞straw mulching returning＞straw crushing returning＞staw ploughing returning.Straw mulching returning could increase soil water content and alleviate spring drought.The organic matter content in mature period was as follows:straw mulching returning＞straw crushing returning＞straw ploughing returning＞CK,compared with CK,which increased by 0.29,0.23 and 0.20 g·kg^-1,respectively.Straw mulching returning,straw crushing returning and straw ploughing returning could increase the total nutrient content of soil,and ultimately increase the yield of maize by 2.9%,8.3% and 10.2%,respectively.The fuel consumption and operation resistance were as follows:straw ploughing returning＞straw crushing returning＞CK＞straw mulching returning.Based on the indicators,we could consider the application of“rotation system”combining different returning methods to achieve the ideal effect of“improving soil,increasing yield and reducing energy consumption”.