[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.