Analysis and Characterization of Biochemical Changes in Paddy Crop Residues during their Decomposition in Nature: A Haryana Study

Abstract

Studies were carried out to assess biochemical changes in Paddy crop residues (straw) during their decomposition in nature. Cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin together constituted major proportions of these resources. The straw samples prepared for investigation, 30 nylon net bags (15 x 10 cm) with mesh sizes of 1 mm were used. Each bag filled with 10g straw and were placed randomly in the holes-one bag per hole in long pits having dimensions 200 x 50 x 50 cm. The pits were filled with soil and the location of different holes was recorded. Cold water-soluble fraction was maximum on 45^th day. A good proportion (36.59%-87.99%) of water-soluble fractions was lost during early stages of decomposition. In general, the proportion of loss of hemicelluloses was always more than that of cellulose-though the rate of cellulose decomposition picked up later. The differences in the relative loss of hemicellulose and cellulose in different components could be related to anatomical difference in the paddy resources. A substantial proportion of pectin was decomposed in the beginning in the paddy straw, while lignin proved to be most resistant fraction. The cellulose: hemicellulose ratio did not become constant in the late stages of decomposition