Effects of microbial inoculants on humic acid formation and microbial community characterization during bagasse composting

This research explored the inoculation of microbial agents to enhance the humification process of lignocellulosic compost. Biological maturity agents in combination with two strains of lignocellulose-degrading fungi were inoculated into co-compost to investigate the function of inoculation. After inoculation, the intensity of bacterial/fungal interactions increased, especially for fungi. Macrogenomics analysis revealed that inoculation stimulated the growth of thermophilic bacteria and lignocellulose-degrading fungi, elevated the activity of carbohydrate-active enzymes and related metabolic functions, and effectively disrupted the recalcitrant structure of lignocellulose to achieve a high degree of humification. In addition, bacterial actively affected humus precursors formation, while the dominant genus of Ascomycota was the main humic acid fungal producers. This study provides new insights into the development of functional microbial agents.