Microbial activity during Rice Straw Composting under Co- inoculation of Cellulomonas cellulans and Phanerochaete chrysosporium

Rice straw, amended with poultry manure or urea was composted with a co-inoculum of fungi and bacteria in perforated cemented pits. Microbial activity in terms of FDA hydrolysis, alkaline phosphatase and dehydrogenase was measured at monthly intervals. Microbial activity was highest at 2 month. Carbon content was lowest at 3 month while nitrogen was higher at 3 month. pH and electrical conductivity of the compost was found to be within the desirable limits for its use in crop production at the end of 3 month of composting.