As the fourth-largest grain-producing province in China, Jilin Province possesses abundant straw resources. Estimating the nutrient resource quantities of major crop straws and their utilization potential under straw return in Jilin Province can provide reference data for the efficient utilization of straw nutrient resources, chemical fertilizer reduction, and green and low-carbon agriculture.

Based on statistical data and literature, using the straw-to-grain ratio method, the straw biomass, nutrient resource quantities, potential for straw incorporation to substitute nutrient inputs, and economic benefits of four major crops were estimated across different cities of Jilin Province in this study.

The average annual resources of maize, rice, soybean and peanut straw in 2019−2023 were 3225.68×10⁴ t, 585.08×10⁴ t, 70.36×10⁴ t, and 103.89×10⁴ t, respectively. Straw resources were mainly distributed in Changchun City, Songyuan City, Siping City, Jilin City and Baicheng City, accounting for 32.15%, 19.30%, 14.98%, 10.69%, and 10.07% of the total crop straw, respectively. The nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P₂O₅) and potassium (K₂O) resources from the main crop straw resources in the province were 35.79×10⁴ t, 12.21×10⁴ t, and 57.41×10⁴ t. The nutrient resources of maize, rice, soybean and peanut (N+P₂O₅+K₂O) accounted for 77.12%, 17.54%, 2.20%, and 3.14%, respectively. The seasonally available nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P₂O₅) and potassium (K₂O) from the main crop straw resources in the province were 18.76×10⁴ t, 8.78×10⁴ t, and 48.66×10⁴ t. The seasonally available resources from maize, rice, soybean and peanut (N+P₂O₅+K₂O) accounted for 77.37%, 17.82%, 1.97%, and 2.84%, respectively. In the main planting areas of the province, the substitution potential of chemical fertilizers by rice straw incorporation per unit sown area was N 27.32 kg/hm², P₂O₅ 12.56 kg/hm², and K₂O 122.06 kg/hm², respectively. The substitution potential of chemical fertilizers by maize straw incorporation per unit sown area were N 33.47 kg/hm², P₂O₅ 16.12 kg/hm², and K₂O 80.55 kg/hm², respectively. The substitution potential of chemical fertilizers by soybean straw incorporation per unit sown area were N 20.58 kg/hm², P₂O₅ 5.15 kg/hm², and K₂O 25.97 kg/hm², respectively. The substitution potential of chemical fertilizers by peanut straw incorporation per unit sown area was N 22.01 kg/hm², P₂O₅ 8.69 kg/hm², and K₂O 36.56 kg/hm², respectively. The average substitution percentage of chemical fertilizers by rice straw incorporation based on the optimal fertilization rate was 15.16%, 18.50%, and 11.06%, respectively. The average substitution percentage of chemical fertilizers by maize straw incorporation based on the optimal fertilization rate was 15.66%, 19.42%, and 78.13%, respectively. The average substitution percent of chemical fertilizers by soybean straw incorporation based on the optimal fertilization rate was 27.26%, 6.96%, and 43.35%, respectively. The average substitution percent of chemical fertilizers by peanut straw incorporation based on the optimal fertilization rate was 17.66%, 9.17%, and 30.85%, respectively. Complete straw return to the field could save about 7.91×10⁸ yuan, 6.22×10⁸ yuan, and 33.09×10⁸ yuan based on the prices of urea, superphosphate, and potassium sulfate, respectively, equivalent to a total of 47.22×10⁸ yuan in chemical fertilizer costs.

Jilin Province is abundant in straw resources, with the straw from major crops amounting to 3985.01×10⁴t, among which corn and rice account for 80.95% and 14.68%, respectively. Complete straw return from major crops to the fields can release available resources of N, P₂O₅, and K₂O of 18.76×10⁴ t, 8.78×10⁴ t, and 48.66×10⁴ t, respectively. Complete straw return can replace approximately 65% of chemical potassium fertilizer input and about 13%−15% of chemical nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer inputs, saving 4.722 billion yuan in chemical fertilizer costs. Regional and crop-type differences should be taken into account when coordinating straw incorporation practices to achieve efficient utilization of straw resources, reduce chemical fertilizer application, improve efficiency, and achieve considerable economic benefits.