Short-term high-temperature pretreated compost increases its application value by altering key bacteria phenotypes

Area of Science:

• Soil Science
• Environmental Science
• Agronomy

Background:

• Organic waste composting, particularly short-term high-temperature composting (SHC), accelerates maturity and enhances fertilizer efficiency.
• Saline-alkali soils pose challenges to plant growth and soil health.
• Understanding the impact of compost end-products on soil improvement and plant development is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of SHC and traditional composting (STC) on saline-alkali soil properties and Lolium perenne L. growth.
• To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of soil improvement and plant growth promotion by compost amendments.

Main Methods:

• Pot experiments were conducted using saline-alkali soil blended with SHC and STC at ratios of 0-40%.
• Plant growth parameters (biomass, chlorophyll, height) and soil physicochemical properties (nutrients, humification, enzyme activity) were analyzed.
• Microbial community analysis and correlation analyses were performed to identify key factors influencing soil-plant system dynamics.

Main Results:

• Lolium perenne L. grown in 20% SHC-amended soil exhibited significantly enhanced growth (109-113% increase in biomass, chlorophyll, and height) compared to STC.
• Both SHC and STC improved soil nutrient content, humification, and enzyme activities across all blending ratios.
• SHC addition stimulated functional microorganisms, promoting sulfur cycle, nitrogen fixation, and carbon metabolism, with specific microbial genera correlating strongly with enzyme activities.

Conclusions:

• Short-term high-temperature composting (SHC) effectively improves saline-alkali soil by optimizing pH, increasing nutrients, and enhancing soil enzyme activity and microbial communities.
• SHC significantly promotes Lolium perenne L. growth, offering a superior alternative to traditional composting for saline-alkali soil remediation.
• This study provides a theoretical foundation for the application of SHC products in sustainable soil improvement and agricultural practices.