R. Rekha and K.R. Sreeramulu
Abstract
Paddy straw and spent mass of mushroom are rich in cellulose and lignin. The stubbles of paddy straw which is left in soil after crop harvest are rich in silica. The potassium present in soil combines with silica and forms potassium silicate which is not easily degradable. Silicates are insoluble in nature which usually combines with major nutrients like potassium, calcium, magnesium and with micronutrients like Fe and Zn and get deposited in the crystal lattice. This kind of K fixation is very common in soils cultivated with paddy, ragi, maize, jowar, sunflower and sugarcane. Once the silica is solubilized naturally the bound nutrient will be get released in to the soil solution for the plant uptake. In this study an attempt was made to screen the efficiency of seven efficient microbial cultures including two efficient K solubilizing bacteria and two fungi on degradation of cellulose and lignin. Results showed that application of 2% inoculum of potash solubilizing fungi Aspergillus niger (UASKF102) was found more efficient in degrading cellulose and lignin followed by Aspergillus terreus. (UASKF101). Among the bacterial cultures Bacillus mucilaginosus (UASKB 102) was more efficient followed by Pseudomonas fluorescence (UASKB101).