Inoculation with quorum-sensing bacteria accelerates straw decomposition: A novel strategy for lignocellulose valorization

Although previous studies have shown that microorganisms can decompose crop straw to enhance soil fertility and crop yield, the effects of different treatment methods on the decomposition of returned straw, as well as the mechanisms underlying these effects, require clarification. A corn straw returning experiment was conducted using potassium persulfate (PS) and inoculation of quorum sensing-producing bacteria (RH) to explore the effects of different treatment methods on the decomposition of straw and the underlying mechanisms. The results showed that RH promoted the decomposition of straw more than PS based on the weight loss rate (68.4 % RH > 58.7 % PS > 43.8 % CK) and the lignocellulose content (51.2 % CK > 42.4 % PS > 34.6 % RH). RH enhanced communication and cooperation within bacterial communities and increased the expression of lignocellulose-degrading genes ( manA , egl and cbhA ) through fatty acid biosynthesis and two-component systems, which promoted enzyme production and accelerated the decomposition of returned straw. These findings enhance our understanding of how lignocellulose decomposition is precisely regulated in soil, aid the management and utilization of agricultural solid waste, and have implications for the sustainability of agroecosystems.