Straw waste has a large amount of lignocellulose, which shows a strong resistance to biodegradation in the composting process and hinders the formation of humic substances. Therefore, the effects of pH adjustment and inoculation of degradation bacteria on the composting process, lignocellulose degradation and humus formation in secondary fermentation were explored through aerobic composting experiments. The experiment was designed with four treatment groups: CK (conventional composting), T1 (adjusting pH), T2 (inoculating P. chrysosporium), and T3 (adjusting pH and inoculating P. chrysosporium), respectively. Results showed that except for treatment CK, all other treatments met the maturation standards at the end of composting. Adjustment of the pH value and the inoculation of Phanerochaete chrysosporium (P. chrysosporium) can significantly shorten the fermentation time. Among them, the lignin content of treatment T3 was reduced significantly by 14.28% compared to treatment T2; the content of humic acid in T3 increased significantly by 51.32% and 14.04% compared with T1 (adjusting pH) and T2 (p < 0.05), respectively. In terms of key enzyme activity and precursor substance changes, the pH adjustment treatment was superior to other treatments after composting. This study confirmed that the change of pH conditions is an important environmental factor for microorganisms to enhance the humification process; degrading enzymes were used as a “bridge” to enhance the continuous degradation of lignocellulose by microorganisms and increase the supplementation of precursors and the synthesis of humic acid, which is the mechanism to enhance the humification process. Our findings provided a new method to enhance the humification process, which is a valuable and economical technical approach to improve organic fertilizer quality.

Phosphorus, a non-renewable nutrient and limiting factor for crop growth, has drawn considerable attention due to the need to improve its use efficiency. Intercropping enhances phosphorus use efficiency by increasing biodiversity, thereby maintaining high productivity and ecosystem sustainability. The primary mechanisms through which intercropping systems enhance phosphorus uptake and utilization in crops encompass adaptive modifications in root morphology, the secretion of a variety of root exudates (including organic acids, phytosiderophores, and phosphatases), and the recruitment of beneficial microorganisms, such as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). In this context, the remodeling of root architecture increases the soil contact area, while root exudates not only directly mobilize soil phosphorus reserves but also supply energy and signaling molecules to microorganisms, facilitating the targeted assembly of rhizosphere communities. These microorganisms further augment phosphorus transport and uptake through a series of processes involving “chemical dissolution, enzymatic mineralization, and hyphal transport.” This review systematically explores the synergistic interaction between root architecture and exudates in promoting efficient phosphorus utilization, with the aim of enhancing the understanding of the regulatory mechanisms governing subterranean inter root interactions. Future research should investigate the biological underpinnings of subterranean interactions within intercropping systems that improve phosphorus efficiency. This can be achieved by concentrating on gene interaction networks associated with phosphorus uptake, transport, and utilization; rhizosphere metabolites; beneficial functional microorganisms; real-time monitoring of high-throughput phenotypes; and simulations and optimizations based on artificial intelligence.

A new Chinese truffle species, Tuber sinomacrosporum belongs to the Macrosporum group was illustrated and described, it is characterized by brownish-red ascoma, prosenchymatous peridium, dark brown gleba, 1(2) spored asci and large ellipsoid ascospores with 2–6 μm high reticulate-alveolate. Molecular analysis of the internal transcribed spacers (ITS) of the nuclear ribosomal DNA supports this species is distinct from the known species within the Macrosporum group. Phylogenetic relationships and morphological differences between this new species and its related species are discussed.

Introduction: The application of bio-organic fertilizers is key to enhancing soil carbon storage, but their carbon inputs often fall short of microbial demands, limiting their long-term impact. High-carbon bio-organic fertilizers, which contain more than 40% organic matter, are used to improve soil fertility, but their effects on soil aggregate stability, organic carbon fractions, and bacterial communities, and the consequent impacts on soil carbon storage, are not well understood. Methods: This study employed a field experiment with four treatments: chemical fertilizer alone (control, CK), organic fertilizer (OF), bio-organic fertilizer (BOF), and high-carbon bio-organic fertilizer (HBOF). Results: The results showed that organic fertilizer treatments significantly increased organic carbon content across all aggregate size classes, promoted the formation of large aggregates, and improved aggregate stability compared with the CK treatment. The HBOF treatment increased the proportion of soil aggregates larger than 2 mm by 8.58% and 6.87% compared with the OF and BOF treatments, respectively. All organic fertilizers boosted soil carbon storage and active carbon fractions, particularly particulate organic carbon (POC). Under HBOF, POC and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) in active carbon fractions increased by 15.83% and 24.05%, respectively, compared to BOF. The HBOF treatment reduced bacterial diversity but markedly altered community composition, enriching genera such as Pantoea and Bacillus that were associated with variation in carbon fractions and aggregate properties. Conclusion: Overall, HBOF appears to promote a microbially mediated redistribution of SOC and physical protection of newly added labile carbon within macroaggregates, leading to short-term increases in SOC and improved soil structure in red soils. These findings provide a basis for optimizing organic fertilization and carbon management in medium- and low-yield croplands.