Background:
Paddy straw contains both macro and micronutrients as well as a considerable amount of carbon, which are lost due to burning or improper utilization causing a huge amount of nutrient losses. Moreover, paddy straw decomposition is not so easy to decompose within a short time as it contains lignin and silica apart from cellulose and hemicellulose. Hence, ICAR-NRRI has developed a microbial consortium to convert rice straw into valuable manures within 50 days under ex-situ conditions.:
Technology Details:
Tech NRRI Decomposer” is a carrier-based microbial consortium containing two efficient lingo-cellulolytic fungi and one actinobacteria. These strains were selected based on compatibilities, qualitative and quantitative potential of cellulase, xylanase, laccase activities, and degrading potentials of paddy straw. The consortium application (@ 1 kg consortium along with 0.5% urea and 10 kg cow dung per tonne of paddy straw) could decompose (C:N ratio around 20:1) the paddy straw within 50 days under ex-situ conditions. All the three microbial strains used in this formulation have good compatibilities. It can be directly mixed in water and go for immediate application. This formulation does not require any secondary level multiplication at farmer level before application. Application of this compost (2.0-2.3 t per ha) to crop cultivation will provide 20-22 kg N ha-1 and other nutrients like P, K and silica apart from other invisible beneficial effects like improvement of physical and microbial properties of soil. After realizing the benefit of the compost prepared from paddy straw, farmers can easily change their attitude toward burning paddy straw in the open field.