Effect of MnO 2 -biochar composites on promoting humification during chicken manure composting

The present study aimed to accelerate the humification and to investigate how MnO 2 modification of biochar (MBC) drives the humus formation during composting with chicken manure. In this study, compared with the control group (CK), the addition of MBC caused an increase in the concentration of both humus and humic acid (HA), with a respective enhancement of 29.1% and 37.2%. In addition, MBC also improved the stability of compost products. Hetero two-dimensional correlation spectra further exhibited that the MBC could alter the formation mechanism of humus fractions during composting. Random forest analysis showed that Microbacterium , Bacteroides , Kroppenstedtia , Gracilibacillus , and Lentibacillus were significantly related to humus formation ( P < 0.05). MBC enhanced the absolute abundance of these five genera during composting. The structural equation model further confirmed that these five genera could be indirectly involved in humus formation, through the production of aromatic compounds via secondary metabolism. Additionally, these five genera could directly transform organic components into macromolecular humus structures. Therefore, the increase in these five genera might be a direct response to the acceleration of the humification during MBC composting. These findings demonstrate the potential value of MBC in harmless disposal of hazardous biowastes through composting. Highlights MnO 2 modification of biochar changed the formation mechanism of humus fractions. Key genera involved in humus formation were identified. Among of MnO 2 modification of biochar, key genera and humus formation were revealed. Graphical Abstract