References

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remarkable. A good carboxy methyl cellulase (3.7- and 1.4-fold) and FPase (2.5- and

11.5-fold) production was observed in the compost obtained from concoction [39].

A mixed culture proved to be better option for rice straw degradation than single

strain, owing to better activation of enzyme production. When three fungal cultures

were used as inoculant to degrade rice straw, 50% of the hemicellulose content

in rice straw was successfully degraded. The highest cellulase activity (1.5 U/ml)

was noted for the mixed culture consortium compared to individual fungal strains,

suggesting application of mixed cultures is an effective strategy for composting [31].

A study carried out on the bioconversion of agro-residue into compost by fortifying

the residue with individual or a consortium of beneficial decomposers. For this

study, N-fixers, P-solubilizers, or K-mobilizers along with biocontrol agents were

used as fortifiers. The compost thus derived was enriched with humic acid, amino

acids, mineral nutrients, and phyto-hormones [34].

8.5

Benefits of Microbe-Amended Compost

The intensive agricultural practices currently in use cause severe deterioration of soil

health and cause damage to the environment. Biological compost derived through

an integrated on-farm production can work as magic to remediate them. This can

support farmers by providing value-added compost for direct application in the field

as a soil conditioner. When compost is added as an organic amendment, it basically

enriches the quantitative soil parameters (biomass, enzymatic activities, porosity,

water-holding capacity, and nitrogen content). It not only improves soil quality but

also increases the soil microbiota that eventually responsible for the plant health.

In addition, application of bio-manure generated from SW (FW, MSW, and AW)

composting is reported as an economical method for in situ removal of metalloids,

pesticide immobilization, and getting rid of budding pollutants [32].

Though the current waste management system is good and effective, it has its

own implications. Composting with effective microbial additives (general or waste

specific) is rendered as an economic and eco-friendly way out. The ease of isola-

tion from source and application to the composting process makes it an appropriate

solution for the existing waste treatment and disposal issue. Herein, a prominent

role can be played by the government in solid waste collection, segregation, treat-

ment, and disposal by implementing a centralized Solid Waste Management System

(SWMS).

References

1 Rastogi, M., Nandal, M., and Khosla, B. (2020). Microbes as vital additives for

solid waste composting. Heliyon 6 (2): e03343.

2 Karthikeyan, O.P., Trably, E., Mehariya, S. et al. (2018). Pretreatment of food

waste for methane and hydrogen recovery: a review. Bioresource Technology 249:

1025–1039.