Accelerated decomposition of sugarcane crop residue using a fungal–bacterial consortium

A fungal–bacterial consortium provided by Sybron Chemicals, Inc. was used in a laboratory study in an effort to accelerate the decomposition of post-harvest sugarcane residue. The consortium includes the fungus Ceriporiopsis subvermispora and bacterium Cellulomonas sp., which were chosen for their cellulolytic capabilities and Azospirillum brasilense, which was chosen because it is a nitrogen-fixing bacterium. Study results indicated that the consortium sprayed over the residue and mixed in soil supplemented with 0.3% molasses showed a significant difference for several parameters. Those measurable differences included visual decomposition of residue, bacterial and fungal populations, soil pH, nitrogen, and available phosphorous when compared to control and the treatment in which the consortium was sprayed over the residue but not mixed. This study indicates that this fungal–bacterial consortium may accelerate the decomposition of post-harvest sugarcane residue provided the residue is mixed with soil. Further study is necessary to refine the process for the future application of this consortium as a possible alternative to the current practice of open air burning of sugarcane residue by farmers.