Rice residue management: Alternative strategies and emerging technologies for a sustainable ecosystem

Rice straw, which is produced after the harvest of rice, is a major agricultural waste in the world. Rice straw has a high carbon/nitrogen ratio and is more resistant to microbial degradation than other straws because its main constituents are cellulose and hemicelluloses encrusted by lignin. When rice straw is burned, hazardous substances such as carbon dioxide, methane, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen monoxide are released into the air as smoke (less than 10 μm-sized particles). The rise in the burning of rice straw has contributed to too many accidents and health issues in the general population residing in Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh of India. These states are being urged by the National Green Tribunal to generate money instead of burning rice straw. Even though these lignocellulosic materials might be beneficial, not much has been carried out with them. This overview covers the properties of rice straw and husks, the numerous procedures used to create valuable products, and various applications that may be made for them. These include energy sources, environmental adsorbents, building supplies, and specialist commodities.