The performance of five biofiltration columns (total volume 1.58 L each) packed with rape straw and ceramic beads in different composition was compared. Columns with packing material were treated by (i) addition of medium and inoculum of hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria consortium MDK-EKO-7; (ii) addition of medium; (iii) addition of water; (iv) feeding by diesel vapours. The highest removal efficiency for volatile hydrocarbons among biofiltration columns tested, i.e., 46.7 %, was found to be in the column containing rape stalks. The most intensive compaction of packing material was detected in the columns with ceramic beads and rape pods, i.e., 8.7 and 10.6 %, respectively, probably due to the synergistic effect of the mixture of organic and inorganic material. Compaction in other columns varied in the range of 3.3 ÷ 4.0 %. The same columns were characterized by the most considerable decrease of cellulose in the rape pods after 44 days experiment. Activity and concentration of microorganisms in the columns were estimated by FDA hydrolysis microbial activity and plate count. The results of this study indicate to the significance of the composition of packing material.