Sustainable Agricultural Development Through Straw Treatment on Fields Using Microbial Products: A Case Study in Vietnam

Straw burning remains a significant environmental and agricultural challenge, releasing harmful pollutants and depleting soil fertility. This study evaluates the effectiveness of 2 novel microbial formulations, NTT-02 and NTT-03, in promoting straw decomposition and enhancing soil quality. Field experiments demonstrated that NTT-02 application resulted in a 15% increase in total organic carbon (TOC), a 12% increase in total nitrogen (TN), and a 10% increase in total phosphorus (TP) compared to untreated controls. Additionally, total aerobic microbial counts increased by 1.5 times, and cellulose-decomposing microorganisms doubled in population, indicating enhanced soil microbial activity. The microbial treatments accelerated straw decomposition, reducing the breakdown period from 28 days to 14 to 18 days. Furthermore, rice yield improved by 8% to 10% relative to conventional practices. These results highlight the potential of microbial-based straw treatments as a sustainable alternative to open-field burning, promoting improved soil health, enhanced crop productivity, and environmentally responsible agricultural practices.