JAGDISH PARSHAD, RAVINDER KUMAR, MONIKA JANGRA, VINOD CHHOKAR AND ANIL KUMAR*
Department of Bio and Nano Technology, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar-125 001 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail: bhankhar@gmail.com; Mobile: 94165 33004)
(Received: February 26, 2024; Accepted: April 15, 2024)
ABSTRACT
The degradation of paddy straw is an extremely important process in managing agricultural waste. This study aimed at examining the physico-chemical changes that might occur during the fungal-based decomposition of paddy straw. This study included different treatment with paddy straw alone and paddy straw with a microbial consortium. The maximum bulk density achieved after treatment with a lignocellulolytic fungal consortium was 0.85 g/cm3. The SEM analysis showed a modification in the surface structure of paddy straw after the decomposition process. The treated paddy straw showed maximum changes in bulk density, colour, odour, pH, EC and moisture per cent. The significant reduction in C:N ratio (75.44 to 29.82) was observed after 30 days of treatment with a microbial consortium, which indicated the enhancement of decomposition by the intervention of microorganisms. These modifications affected the stability and possible uses of degraded paddy straw in various agricultural and environmental conditions. The goal to examine these differences was to learn more about the efficacy of degradation techniques and how they relate to sustainable waste management.
Key words: Paddy straw, bulk density (BD), SEM (scanning electron microscopy), C:N ratio