Improving the Utilization of Flammulina velutipes Waste during Biochar-Amended Composting: Emphasis on Bacterial Communities

Abstract

This study investigated the impacts of biochar addition on N conversion, humification, and bacterial community during Flammulina velutipes waste composting. The mixture of chicken manure and Flammulina velutipes waste was 4:6 (dry weight basis). The biochar was added into the mixture and mixed thoroughly at ratios of 0, 2.5, 5, and 7.5% (w/w) and labeled as CK, T1, T2, and T3, respectively. The results showed that the biochar treatment significantly improved the compost maturity by increasing humic substances and the conversion of NH4+-N to NO3−-N. With the increase in biochar supplemental level, the abundance, diversity, and uniformity of the microbial community were improved. The dominant taxa were Firmicutes, Bacteroidota, Actinobacteriota, Proteobacteria, and Gemmatimonadota, especially the Firmicutes and Bacteroidota. Biochar addition facilitated the proliferation of thermophilic bacteria such as Bacillus, Actinobacteriota, Parapedobacter, and Sphingobacterium, leading to enhanced organic decomposition to increase humus. The findings of this study highlighted the positive effects of biochar addition on the composting mixture of chicken manure and Flammulina velutipes waste. These results can help to produce high-quality biochar composting products by balancing organic decomposition and humification based on the bacterial community.