Enhanced Humification Efficiency and Lignocellulose Degradation by Cattle-Chicken Manure Co-Composting System: Microbiome In-Depth Analysis

Abstract

Traditional composting faces issues such as slow degradation of lignocellulose and poor humification, which are closely related to the microorganisms in the compost. However, the microbial succession and mechanisms involved are still not well understood. This study established a cattle-chicken manure co-composting system and investigated the microbial community succession process in this system through microbial community diversity analysis. The microbial community prediction model, based on phylogenetic bin analysis, network modeling, and protein function prediction, is used to infer the mechanisms of microbial community assembly in the system. This helps explain how the system accelerates the degradation and conversion of lignocellulose and the formation of humic acids. The results indicate that during community succession, the system enhanced microbial protein functions, strengthened cooperation among microbial communities, and increased the stability of community assembly. This ultimately led to an increase in the cellulose degradation rate by 12.54%, hemicellulose degradation rate by 21.12%, lignin degradation rate by 9.97%, and humic acid content by 36.82%. This study demonstrates the value of the system and provides new insights into the mixed treatment of solid organic waste in the future.