Background:
Rice-wheat cropping system is dominant where huge quantities of rice straw are left for disposal after harvest of the crop and most of this remains unutilized in the field. The most common practice adopted by farmers is burning, especially in areas where the succeeding crop is grown in a short time thus allowing less time for its incorporation into soil for decomposition. Alternative to burning, rice straw management options remain costlier for its incorporation into the soil. The uses of lignocellulolytic microbes have the potential to degrade the residues as a viable alternative to burning.:
Technology Details:
Bio-augmentation of crop residues with efficient cellulose degrading microbes were aimed that can help in degrading residues and recycling of soil nutrients. These efficient degrading microbes can degrade crop residues, helps in buildup of soil C that can facilitate reclamation of sodic and saline-sodic soils and overall soil health. The consortia of two efficient and compatible halophilic bacterial lingo-cellulolytic strains having plant growth promotion traits were prepared in suitable standardized media as bio-formulation ‘Halo-CRD’ as decomposer for crop residues. It has been tested and validated at multi-locations and found that inoculation of residue with Halo-CRD helps in faster in-situ degradation of paddy residues within 35 days to the extent for easy ploughing for next crop sowing. It is easy to apply and eco-friendly approach for management of residues for nutrient recycling and soil health management to avoid burning. The outcome of the study will facilitate to utilize the residues for recycling nutrients, enhance soil microbial activity and carbon enrichment to promote bio-remediation apart from saving energy that helps in achieving desired level of production and health management of soils.