ABSTRACT
Large quantities of agricultural residues are produced annually throughout the world. For example, the estimated production of wheat straw and rice straw in 2002 was 1000 million tons and 510 million tons, respectively. The straw was traditionally used for lowvalue purposes, such as livestock feeding, mulch, and bedding materials for animals.1 Straw resources are underutilized in many countries. Current strategies adopted to handle surplus straw include burning or incorporation or removal from the field. Dumping of straw in landfills or burning of straw has created serious environmental pollution. Legislation has been enacted to prohibit straw burning in North America and Europe. There is an urgent need to find a profitable outlet for surplus underutilized straw.
