The study looked at how managing straw and manure affects soil and crop performance in North China Plain. They tested different methods like returning all straw to the soil, removing maize straw, adding manure, and adding extra manure. The results showed that soil nutrients and organic matter increased under all treatments. Adding manure improved maize yield, but not winter wheat yield. Maize benefited more from increased organic matter, while winter wheat did not. Overall, adding manure improved soil health and crop production in this farming system.