Impact of Particle Size on the Aerobic Decomposition and Fertilizer Efficiency of Corn Cobs: A Sustainable Waste-to-Resource Approach

作者：Qian Liu, Ping Wu, Xingchi Guo, Ying Qu, Junyan Zheng, Yuhe Xing, Zhiyu Dong, Wei Yu, Guoyu Zhang, Xu Zhang · 发表于：Biology · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.3390/biology14111610 · 被引用次数：3 · 研究领域：Composting and Vermicomposting Techniques、Plant Growth Enhancement Techniques、Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics

The conversion of agricultural residues into high-value organic amendments is fundamental to sustainable farming systems. Corn cobs represent a widely available lignocellulosic resource; however, their rigid structural properties often hinder efficient biodegradation during composting. This study evaluated whether optimizing corn cob particle size could improve aerobic composting performance by enhancing humification and compost quality. Corn cobs were ground into three particle sizes (6-mesh, 10-mesh, and 20-mesh) and composted with a commercial microbial inoculant for up to 51 days. Physicochemical properties, humic substance fractions (HSC, HAC, FAC), microbial community dynamics (16S rRNA and ITS sequencing), and maturity indicators were monitored. The 10-mesh treatment (M10) exhibited the most favorable composting outcomes, achieving the greatest degree of humification (HA/FA = 2.85; HAC = 48.30 g/kg) and the most pronounced aromatic condensation in humic acids. M10 also supported a more diverse and metabolically specialized microbial consortium, with notable enrichment of lignocellulose-degrading and humus-forming genera (e.g., Streptomyces, Thermobifida). Consequently, M10 produced the most mature compost, reflected by the highest germination index (93.63%) and the lowest heavy-metal accumulation, meeting agricultural safety standards. Structural equation modeling revealed that particle size influenced humification primarily by modulating microbial community structure ...