Enhanced humification of maize straw and canola residue during composting by inoculating Phanerochaete chrysosporium in the cooling period.

To enhance the humification process, Phanerochaete chrysosporium (P. chrysosporium) was inoculated during different fermentation phases of the co-composting of maize straw and canola residue. The humification process was determined by evaluating cellulose and lignin contents and key enzyme activities during composting. Results showed that the cellulose and lignin degradation efficiency and humification degree of compost were significantly enhanced in the treatment that inoculated P. chrysosporium in the cooling period (T2). At the end of composting, compared with that in T1 (no inoculation), the content of cellulose and lignin in T2 decreased significantly by 40.00% and 64.30%, respectively, and compared with that in T1 and T3 (inoculation in the initial stage of composting) the content of humus in T2 increased significantly by 55.40% and 75.20%, respectively. This study confirms that inoculating P. chrysosporium during the cooling period promoted the degradation of cellulose and lignin, and therefore enhanced the compost humification.