10
1.3.2.2 Mechanized Collection
Combine harvesters are known to spread rice straw across the field. Therefore, since
rice straw collection is energy intensive, it is only economically viable and practical
thru mechanical collection by use of balers. Collection plays a critical role in the
rice straw supply chain. A discussion on different rice straw balers used in Asia is
presented in Nguyen-V-Hung et al. (2017). Mechanized collection technologies are
discussed in more detail in Chap. 2.
1.3.2.3 Mechanized Composting
Rice straw composting is done by adding animal manure and enzymes to rice straw
and mixing by a turner and ensilage, in order to homogenize the mixture. The biophysical processes of decaying matter can drastically improve thru mechanized
composting. In turn, the compost can serve as fertilizer for growing vegetables and
other crops, or can be used directly as soil conditioner. As soil conditioner, it
improves the nutrient and organic matter content of the soil. This technology is
described in more detail in Chap. 3.
1.3.2.4 Mushroom Production
The species of rice-straw mushrooms, Volvariella volvacea, is commonly used
because of it grows easily and has a short growth duration of 14 days. The species
grows in tropical weather at around 30–35 °C for the mycelia development stage,
and at around 28–30 °C for the fruiting body production stage. The main inputs for
mushroom growing are rice straw, spawn, labor, and water. The mushroom harvest
usually starts during the third week after inoculation and ends 1 week later. Outdoor
mushroom production is a common practice in Vietnam’s Mekong River Delta
(MRD). The low investment cost is an advantage of this income-generating enterprise. It produces a yield of 0.8 kg of mushrooms per 10 kg of dried straw and generates a net profit of USD 50–100 t
−1
of straw. Indoor production is a less common
practice because of higher investment costs and the necessary strict control of the
growing conditions. On the other hand, indoor mushroom growing produces about
a 2-kg higher yield per 10 kg of dried straw. See Chap. 7 for more details on mushroom production.
1.3.2.5 Rice-Straw Silage for Cattle Feed
Rice straw is of poor quality to serve as a livestock feed. It has a low C:N ratio and
high NDF and ADF, which affects its nutritive value. Nevertheless, it is considered
as a potential feed additive for increasing the energy and protein content. The prescribed consumption limit of rice straw by ruminants is 1.0 to 1.5 kg per 100 kg
N. V. Hung et al.
1.3.2.2 Mechanized Collection
Combine harvesters are known to spread rice straw across the field. Therefore, since
rice straw collection is energy intensive, it is only economically viable and practical
thru mechanical collection by use of balers. Collection plays a critical role in the
rice straw supply chain. A discussion on different rice straw balers used in Asia is
presented in Nguyen-V-Hung et al. (2017). Mechanized collection technologies are
discussed in more detail in Chap. 2.
1.3.2.3 Mechanized Composting
Rice straw composting is done by adding animal manure and enzymes to rice straw
and mixing by a turner and ensilage, in order to homogenize the mixture. The biophysical processes of decaying matter can drastically improve thru mechanized
composting. In turn, the compost can serve as fertilizer for growing vegetables and
other crops, or can be used directly as soil conditioner. As soil conditioner, it
improves the nutrient and organic matter content of the soil. This technology is
described in more detail in Chap. 3.
1.3.2.4 Mushroom Production
The species of rice-straw mushrooms, Volvariella volvacea, is commonly used
because of it grows easily and has a short growth duration of 14 days. The species
grows in tropical weather at around 30–35 °C for the mycelia development stage,
and at around 28–30 °C for the fruiting body production stage. The main inputs for
mushroom growing are rice straw, spawn, labor, and water. The mushroom harvest
usually starts during the third week after inoculation and ends 1 week later. Outdoor
mushroom production is a common practice in Vietnam’s Mekong River Delta
(MRD). The low investment cost is an advantage of this income-generating enterprise. It produces a yield of 0.8 kg of mushrooms per 10 kg of dried straw and generates a net profit of USD 50–100 t
−1
of straw. Indoor production is a less common
practice because of higher investment costs and the necessary strict control of the
growing conditions. On the other hand, indoor mushroom growing produces about
a 2-kg higher yield per 10 kg of dried straw. See Chap. 7 for more details on mushroom production.
1.3.2.5 Rice-Straw Silage for Cattle Feed
Rice straw is of poor quality to serve as a livestock feed. It has a low C:N ratio and
high NDF and ADF, which affects its nutritive value. Nevertheless, it is considered
as a potential feed additive for increasing the energy and protein content. The prescribed consumption limit of rice straw by ruminants is 1.0 to 1.5 kg per 100 kg
N. V. Hung et al.