Microbial Fertilizers Enhance the Yield of Maize by Restructuring the Microbial Community and Accelerating the Decomposition of Straw across Agroecological Zones

In this study, we conducted a three-year, two-site field experiment to assess the effects of a composite microbial fertilizer (Bacillus subtilis and Trichoderma harzianum) on the yield of maize (Zea mays), soil properties, straw degradation, and composition of the microbial community. This study suggests that microbial fertilizers operate through multi-step biological pathways, and their success depends on their compatibility with native microbial assemblages and the context of environment.