Effect of rice straw compost on soil microbiological properties and yield of rice

Utilization of rice straw through composting and its effect on yield of rice was studied. The application of rice straw compost @ 5 t/ha along with half of the recommended dose of inorganic fertilizer increased the microbial biomass C from 136 to 258 mg/kg soil, dehydrogenase activity from 66 to 118 mg TPF/kg soil/24h and alkaline phosphatase from 370 to 680 mg PNP/kg soil/h. It also resulted in the build up of soil organic C and N from 0.471 and 0.039% to 0.545 and 0.064% respectively. Carbon and N mineralization rates were also higher than control and soils receiving recommended dose of inorganic fertilizers. The three years grain and straw yield of rice (Basmati and CSR-30) was comparable to the recommended dose of inorganic fertilizers.