Abstract:[Objective] The effects of soil straw hole injection on soil moisture content and crop growth were studied to provide a theoretical basis for increasing rainwater storage capacity and improving water use efficiency in dry farmland.[Methods] A field trial of a maize-wheat rotation was carried out, with four treatments including conventional tillage (CK), and soil straw hole injection of 2 holes/m2 (T1), 4 holes/m2 (T2), and 8 holes/m2 (T3).[Results] All three hole injection treatments increased the surface soil moisture during the entire experimental period. The T2 and T3 treatments increased the deep soil moisture content at harvest time, and the moisture content in the 60-80 cm soil layer increased 29.19 % and 28.18 %, respectively, compared with CK at the end of the experiment. Soil straw hole injection treatments increased plant height, yield, biomass, precipitation use efficiency, and water use efficiency. The T2 and T3 treatments had the most obvious effect on soil moisture and crop growth, with no significant difference between them.[Conclusion] Water retention and yield were increased by soil straw hole injection treatments. Considering the cost and effects, soil straw hole injection of 4 holes/m2 (T2) is recommended.