Objectives As the fourth-largest grain-producing province in China, Jilin Province possesses abundant straw resources. To estimate the nutrient resource quantity of main crop straw and utilization potential under straw returning in Jilin province could provide reference data for efficient utilization of straw nutrient resources, chemical fertilizers reduction and green and low carbon agriculture.

Methods Based on statistical data and literature review, by using method of straw-to-grain ratio, the straw biomass, nutrient resource quantity, potential for straw incorporation to substitute nutrient inputs, and economic benefits of four major crops were estimated for different cities of Jilin province in this research.

Results 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 are 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 of 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 3.31%, respectively. The available resources in the season of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P₂O₅) and potassium (K₂O) of the main crop straw resources in the province were 18.76×10⁴ t, 8.78×10⁴ t, and 48.66×10⁴ t. The available resources in the season of 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 in corporation per unit sown area were N 27.32 kg∙hm⁻², P₂O₅ 12.56 kg∙hm⁻², and K₂O 122.06 kg∙hm⁻², respectively. The substitution potential of chemical fertilizers by maize straw in corporation per unit sown area were N 33.47 kg·hm⁻², P₂O₅ 16.12 kg·hm⁻², and K₂O 80.55 kg·hm⁻², respectively. The substitution potential of chemical fertilizers by soybean straw in corporation per unit sown area were N 20.58 kg·hm⁻², P₂O₅ 5.15 kg·hm⁻², and K₂O 25.97 kg·hm⁻², respectively. The substitution potential of chemical fertilizers by peanut straw in corporation per unit sown area were N 22.01 kg·hm⁻², P₂O₅ 8.69 kg·hm⁻², and K₂O 36.56 kg·hm⁻², respectively. The substitution average percent of chemical fertilizers by rice straw in corporation based on the optimal fertilization rate were 15.16%, 18.50%, and 11.06%, respectively. The substitution average percent of chemical fertilizers by maize straw in corporation based on the optimal fertilization rate were 15.66%, 19.42%, and 78.13%, respectively. The substitution average percent of chemical fertilizers by soybean straw in corporation based on the optimal fertilization rate were 27.26%, 6.96%, and 43.35%, respectively. The substitution average percent of chemical fertilizers by peanut straw in corporation based on the optimal fertilization rate were 17.66%, 9.17%, and 30.85%, respectively. The full return of straw to the field can save about 7.91×10⁸ CNY, 6.22×10⁸ CNY, and 33.09×10⁸ CNY calculated by the price urea, superphosphate, and potassium sulfate, respectively, and a total of 47.22×10⁸ CNY of chemical fertilizer input.

Conclusions Jilin Province is abundant in straw resources, with the straw resources from major crops amounting to 39.85×10⁴ t, among which corn and rice account for 80.95% and 14.68%, respectively. The total return of straw from major crops to the fields can release effective resources of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P₂O₅), and potassium (K₂O) at 18.76×10⁴ t, 8.78×10⁴ t, and 48.66×10⁴ t, respectively. Total straw return can replace approximately 65% of chemical potassium fertilizer input, about 13%～15% of chemical nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer input, 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, increase efficiency, and obtain considerable economic benefits.