Pre-aeration was investigated for enhancing biodegradation of recalcitrant lignocellulosic structure of rice straw under various low temperatures regimes (25, 35 and 45 degrees C) and aeration durations (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 days). It was demonstrated aerated rice straw for 2 days at 35 degrees C resulted in highest hydrolytic efficiency and biochemical methane potential (BMP) (355.3 +/- 18.7 ml CH4/gVS). Furthermore, both methane yields and initiation speeds of the solid-state anaerobic digestion (SS-AD) were inversely proportional to substrate-to-inoculum ratios due to the accumulation of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and poor mass transfer. The highest methane yield achieved under SS-AD was 234 ml CH4/gVS at TS of 16% which 72% of the BMP. Inoculum dilution with recycled water improved buffering capacity and mitigated accumulation of VFAs, resulting in an improved SS-AD performance. The combined pre-aeration and SS-AD was therefore established as a viable option to accelerate methane production for lignocellulosic biomass. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.