Navigating maturation challenges in rapid ex-site straw composting for a transition to localized field application

Large-scale utilization of crop straw is essential for green and sustainable agricultural development in China. Off-site rapid composting has emerged as an effective alternative to direct straw return by enabling centralized and controllable processing while avoiding slow decomposition and increased pest and disease risks. This review summarizes recent technological advances and remaining challenges in in situ straw incorporation and ex situ straw utilization, with particular emphasis on the metabolic regulatory mechanisms underlying rapid straw degradation and strategies for the rational design of functional microbial consortia. It also highlights representative technologies such as aerated membrane-assisted aerobic composting and high-pile fermentation systems, and proposes that future breakthroughs in straw resource utilization will depend on a deeper understanding of degradation mechanisms, precise regulation, and the integration of composting processes with intelligent systems. Establishing an innovation ecosystem linking fundamental research, technological development, and industrial implementation will be essential for the standardized and large-scale adoption of straw utilization technologies.