Bacterial community dynamics and co-occurrence network patterns during different stages of biochar-driven composting

Area of Science:

• Environmental Microbiology
• Soil Science
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Composting is crucial for waste management and nutrient recycling.
• Biochar amendment can influence microbial communities and composting efficiency.
• Understanding bacterial succession is key to optimizing composting processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To dynamically track bacterial community succession during biochar-driven sheep manure composting.
• To establish co-occurrence networks and identify keystone taxa.
• To evaluate the impact of varying biochar concentrations on microbial interactions.

Main Methods:

• Dynamic tracking of bacterial communities across four composting stages.
• Construction of bacterial co-occurrence networks.
• Analysis of network properties like centrality and cooperation.
• Quantification of bacterial phyla dominance at different stages.

Main Results:

• Bacterial community succession varied, with shifts from Proteobacteria to Firmicutes and Bacteroidota.
• Biochar amendment, particularly at 7.5% and 10%, increased network connections and positive interactions.
• Keystone taxa exhibited higher centrality in biochar-amended composts.
• Enhanced mutualistic symbiosis was observed in composts with 7.5% and 10% biochar.

Conclusions:

• Appropriate biochar addition alters bacterial community dynamics during composting.
• Biochar strengthens inter-bacterial connections and promotes mutualistic symbiosis.
• 7.5% and 10% biochar levels are optimal for fostering intense bacterial interactions and potentially improving compost quality.