This 2-year field experiment investigated the effects of full straw incorporation on soil fertility and crop yield in a rice-wheat (Oryza sativa L.–Triticum aestivum L.) rotation on sandy, loamy soil. Two treatments were tested: (i) straw removal (CK) and (ii) straw incorporation (STR). The STR significantly increased the wheat yield by an average of 58% compared with CK; however, no significant difference was found in the rice yield. Soil available nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in the 0–20 cm soil layer increased by more than 15% with STR compared to CK. The soil cation exchange capacity and organic carbon in the 0–20 cm soil layer increased by 8% and 22%, for STR compared to CK, respectively. Straw incorporation significantly elevated the soil saturated water content but decreased the soil bulk density compared with CK. Soil aggregates >2 mm were significantly increased after straw return. STR also notably increased the soil urease, invertase, and catalase activities in the 0–15 cm soil layer by 11.4%, 41.0%, and 12.9%, respectively, and the soil microbial carbon and nitrogen contents in the 0–20 cm soil layer by 59% and 54%. Therefore, full straw incorporation could significantly improve soil fertility and maintain crop yields for the study area.

Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.), as one of the most important traditional natural fiber crops, had almost been forgotten for the last several decades. However, an unprecedented opportunity has emerged for planting this crop due to its multiple uses and products derived from the plant as well as its quick-growing and strong adaptability to a wide range of agro-environmental conditions. Furthermore, the decision from the United Nations’ Commission for Narcotic Drugs that removing medicinal cannabis from a category of dangerous drugs (Schedule IV of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961) in December 2020 has also greatly promoted the hemp’s revival. Nowadays, industrial hemp has many agro-industrial applications, such as agriculture, textiles, papermaking, construction, bio-fuel. This review analyzes the current hemp production status throughout the world and outlines the main applications of industrial hemp in different fields. The outlook and the remaining questions that need to be solved in the future for the better development of industrial hemp were also discussed, such as how to promote the hemp planting in more broad regions, how to obtain high yields of aim products, and how to fully explore its usages in the future.