Back M. Singh, K. K. Bhattarcharya and N. Saha
Indian Institute of Soil Science, Nabibagh, Berasia Road, Bhopal 462038, India
Abstract
Efficiency of lignolytic fungi viz. Polyphorus varsicolor, Phanerochaete
crysosporium and Pleuretus sajor caju for hastening lignin and cellulose
degradation and production of humic and fulvic acids during composting
of rice residues was evaluated. Rice straw inoculation with lignolytic
fungi hastened the process of residues decomposition compared to uninoculated
control. Among the fungi used, P. crysosporium proved more efficient than
P. versicolor and P. sajor caju. P. crysosporium reduced C:N ratio to 15.0
compared to 29.0 in uninoculated control and 17 & 18 in P. sajor caju
and P. versicolor inoculated residue. Greater loss in lignin and cellulose
content and formation of higher amount of humic and fulvic acids were also
observed in presence of lignolytic fungi P. crysosporium compared to other
two fungi and uninoculated control. Total-N content and cation exchange
capacity of material decomposed in presence of P. crysosporium were 2.1%
and 84.6 meq/100 g compared with 1.3% and 28.4 meq/100 g in uninoculated
control. Nitrogen addition during maturity phase of composting produced.
It was concluded that inoculation of rice residue with lignolytic fungi
P. crysosporium accelerated the loss of carbon from lignin and cellulose
complex and resulted into the production of a quality compost containing
higher amounts of humic and fulvic acids and nitrogen content.