Microbial community responses to biochar addition when a green waste and manure mix are composted: A molecular ecological network analysis

High-throughput sequencing and network analysis were used to investigate the dynamic changes and the effects on bacterial community structures in green waste compost after biochar addition. Biochar addition led to higher thermophilic temperatures and total nitrogen (TN) concentrations and a longer thermophilic period compared with no biochar addition. Biochar also greatly influenced the composition of the bacterial community. Nitriliruptoraceae and Bacillaceae abundances increased in the poultry manure after biochar treatment, and Alcaligenaceae, Rhodispirillaceae and Xanthomonadaceae were more abundant in the cattle manure. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and TN emerged as the key determinants of bacterial community composition. Network analysis revealed that DOC had strong positive associations with some taxa (e.g. Comamonas, Leucobacter and Acidimicrobiales), whereas TN had negative associations with other taxa (e.g. Microbacteriaceae and Aeromicrobium). This study has revealed the key taxa related to the carbon and nitrogen cycle during composting with biochar.