Bacterial community dynamics and co-occurrence network patterns during different stages of biochar-driven composting

Abstract

Bacterial communities were dynamically tracked at four stages of biochar-driven sheep manure pile composting, and the co-occurrence networks with keystone taxa were established. The succession of bacterial community obvious varied during the composting process, Proteobacteria predominant in initial stage (39%) then shifted into Firmicutes in thermophilic (41%) and mesophilic (27%) stages, finally the maturation stage dominant by Bacteroidota (26%). Visualizations of bacterial co-occurrence networks demonstrate more cooperative mutualism and complex interactions in the thermophilic and mesophilic phases. Noticeably, the 7.5 and 10% biochar amended composts shown highest connections (736 and 663 total links) and positive cooperation (97.37 and 97.13% positive link) as well as higher closeness centrality and betweenness centrality of keystone taxa. Overall, appropriate biochar addition alters bacterial community succession and strengthens connection between keystone taxa and other bacteria, with 7.5 and 10% biochar amended composts has intense mutualistic symbiosis among bacterial communities.