NOVELTY - A method (M1) of processing work materials involves: applying a substance into direct contact with the work material operable to promote the decomposition of the work material; and distributing the work material bearing the substance in such a manner that the work material is disposed for decomposition.    USE - For processing work materials; for processing rice straw and the like for the eradication (claimed), and in the disposal of waste materials.    ADVANTAGE - The process eradicates rice straw and the like produced during the harvest of rice and the like grown in the soil of their field; can be applied for usage without a significant period of training; and is dependable, economical, durable and fully effective in accomplishing their intended purposes. The method and apparatus for processing work materials avoid the need to use prior art methods which are unsatisfactory for a variety of reasons; permit the disposal of waste materials at the site without producing adverse effects which may be harmful to the environment or otherwise unacceptable; allow rapid conversion of the waste materials to a variety of beneficial uses; not only eradicate the waste materials but, actually, in the process, enhance the growth and productivity of the site; and are otherwise entirely successful in achieving their operational objectives.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are included for the following:    (1) a method (M2) of processing rice straw and the like to eradicate the rice straw and the like produced during the harvest of rice and the like grown in the soil of their field, involving: fragmenting the rice straw using a mower to traverse the field to convert the rice straw into its finely divided fragments; applying, during the fragmenting step, a solution selected from a first group including nitrate-urea and humic acid or a second group including nitrate-urea and fluvic acid, on the rice straw; distributing the fragments after the applying step on the soil of the field; and intermixing the fragments with the soil to enhance the decomposition of the fragments; and    (2) an apparatus for processing rice straw and the like for the eradication, comprising frame adapted for earth traversing movement; a work assembly mounted on the frame operable to cut the rice straw into its fragments during the earth traversing movement; a fluid application system having fluid discharge means mounted on the work assembly in a predetermined position relative to the direction of travel of the work assembly during the earth traversing movement; and a source of fluid, operable to promote decomposition of the fragments, operably connected to the fluid application system in fluid supplying relation to the fluid discharge means to apply the fluid to the rice straw and its fragments.