Prediction of Fiber Composition and Silicification for Rice Straw with Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (NIRS) Technique

The silicification of rice straw is a factor that affects the grain production and straw nutritive quality. The procedure of chemical analysis for silicon in straw is, however, time and labor consuming, and slightly poor in accuracy. The study has attempted to apply near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS)technique as an advanced alternative to predict the fiber composition and silicification in rice straw. Ninetytwo samples from different seasons and varieties were collected over the Fujian Province. Their chemical analyses were carried on the aspects of hemicellulose, cellulose, lignin, extractable and non-extractable silicon,and the results were used as a database for NIRS analyses. The prediction model was developed through modified partial least square regression (MPLS) for a calibration program. The factors that may affect the calibration, cross-validation and the prediction for the application of NIRS on rice straw were also discussed.