Succession of micro-food webs and their role in lignocellulose degradation during pepper stalk composting.

ABSTRACT: Abtract. Multitrophic interactions among bacteria, fungi, protists, and nematodes play vital roles in organic matter decomposition in soil ecosystems, yet their contributions during composting remain poorly understood. Improving our understanding of these cross-trophic dynamics is essential for optimizing microbial regulation in composting systems. In this study, we investigated the community dynamics and interactions of these trophic groups throughout the aerobic composting of pepper stalks and evaluated their collective influence on lignocellulose degradation. Bacteria expanded rapidly in the early phase, dominating organic matter decomposition, but declined during maturation. Fungi remained low in abundance, with Aspergillus transiently dominating the thermophilic stage. Phagotrophic pr

SUBMITTER: Xu M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12749200 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature