Microbial decomposition of post-harvest sugarcane residue

A laboratory in situ composting study was conducted as a possible alternati ve method for the current practice of open air burning of post-harvest suga rcane residue by sugarcane farmers. In situ composting of the sugarcane res idue by the indigenous bacteria and fungi was accelerated using molasses as an initial substrate. A one-time application of molasses boosted the soil, microbial population, which started to decompose the ligno-cellulosic frac tions of the residue. The study showed significant differences in several p arameters among the control and molasses applied treatments, namely, visual decomposition of I residue. bacterial and fungal population, soil pH, cell ulose content, cellulase activity, and soil organic matter. Further study i s needed to refine the process for the future application of this technolog y as a possible alternative to the current practice of open air burning of sugarcane residue by farmers. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights res erved.