data.xlsx

Appropriate soil physical properties and nutrient availability are crucial for crop growth, development and yield. However, the interaction mechanisms between soil nutrients and physical properties, and their specific pathways of crop yield influence, remain inconclusive. We investigated the soil physicochemical properties and their mechanisms driving crop yields in Northeast China, focusing on six ecological zones: the Greater and Lesser Xing'an Mountains (XAL), Sanjiang Plain (SJP), Songnen Plain (SNP), Northwest Semi-arid Zone (WSA), Changbai Mountain Low Hills (CBM), and Sanjiang Plain (LHP). Soil samples from rice and maize fields collected in 2018 were analyzed. Rice yields were higher in central and eastern regions; maize yields were higher in central and southeastern regions. Soil bulk density and pH were elevated in the northwest semi-arid region; organic matter and nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium contents were the highest in the Songnen Plain. pH has a negative regulatory effect on maize yield, the content of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and organic matter and bulk density have a positive effect on rice yield. Bulk has a negative regulatory effect on maizeyield, while the content of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and organic matter has a normal regulatory on maizeyield.