[Objective] The influence of different soil fertility improvement measures on soil quality and maize yield in horizontal terraced fields was quantitatively evaluated in order to provide a theoretical support for the improvement of cultivated land fertility and the protection of black soil area. [Methods] Field monitoring and multivariate mathematical statistics were used to identify the effects of different combinations of chemical fertilizers

organic fertilizers

and straw on soil nutrient content

physical properties

maize growth

and yield. [Results] ① The combined application of organic fertilizer with straw not only played a very significant role in improving the fertility of the plow layer

but also significantly improved the physical properties of the soil. The combined application of chemical fertilizer

organic fertilizer

and straw had the best effect; ② Adding straw and organic fertilizer significantly reduced C∶N ratio

and increased N∶P and C∶P ratios

and provided a more ideal environment for the growth and development of soil microbial communities; ③ Soil water-holding capacity and organic carbon content were the most influential factors affecting crop yield in terraced fields in the black soil hilly areas. Mixed applications of straw and organic fertilizer should be carried out continuously in the future; ④ 3.75 t/hm2 of chemical fertilizers mixed with organic fertilizer or 3.00 t/hm2 of straw was the best way to increase the yield of terraced fields in the black soil hilly region. [Conclusion] Different fertility improvement measures had significantly different effects on soil quality and on maize yield in horizontal terraced fields of the black soil hilly region. A suitable production practice is to use chemical fertilizer mixed with organic fertilizer and straw to improve soil quality and maize yield in this area.