Microbial consortium mediated recycling of rice residue in rice–Wheat cropping system

Crop residue management plays an important role in improving the physio-chemical properties of soil, which are essential for sustainable crop production, particularly in rice-based cropping systems. This study investigated the effects of various rice residue management strategies, specifically the incorporation of paddy straw at 5 t ha⁻¹ combined with different levels of recommended NPK doses and the application of a decomposer, on soil physico-chemical properties and the availability of macro- and micronutrients across different soil depths. The results indicated that incorporating residues significantly reduced bulk density while increasing particle density, organic carbon content, and the availability of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium at different soil depths. The most notable improvements were recorded in treatments that combined straw incorporation with 125 % of the recommended nitrogen dose and hyper lignocellulolytic fungal consortium (Aspergillus spp., Phlebia radiata, and Trichoderma viride), applied as 10 L of inoculum mixed with 200 L of water per acre of straw, with a viable count of 107 cfu/mL. However, these treatments also led to a decrease in soil pH (7.66), likely due to the formation of organic acids during the decomposition process. EC levels rose as a result of mineralization and the release of soluble salts. Overall, the study highlights that integrated residue management through paddy straw incorporation alongside balanced fertilization and microbial decomposer application enhances decomposition for improved soil physical structure and nutrient availability, ultimately supporting soil health and sustainable productivity in rice-wheat cropping systems.