Regulating pH and Phanerochaete chrysosporium inoculation improved the humification and succession of fungal community at the cooling stage of composting.

[Display omitted] • Regulating pH and inoculating P. chrysosporium increased HS by 81.98% than T1. • Improved transformation of POL and AA accelerated humification process in T4. • Regulating pH at cooling stage helped to the colonization of P. chrysosporium. • P. chrysosporium inoculation improved fungal communities and microbial interactions. • Phanerochaete and Thermomyces as key taxa were enriched in T4 for HA formation. This study aimed to explore the effect of regulating pH and Phanerochaete chrysosporium inoculation at the cooling stage of composting on the lignocellulose degradation, humification process and related precursors as well as fungal community for secondary fermentation. Results showed that composting with P. chrysosporium inoculation and pH regulation (T4) had 58% cellulose decomposition, 73% lignin degradation and improved enzyme activities for lignin decomposition. There was 81.98% increase of humic substance content and more transformation of polyphenols and amino acids in T4 compared to control. Inoculating P. chrysosporium affected the fungal community diversity, and regulating pH helped to increase the colonization of P. chrysosporium. Network analysis showed that the network complexity and synergy between microorganisms was improved in T4. Correlation and Random Forest analysis suggested that enriched Phanerochaete and Thermomyces in the mature stage of T4 were key taxa for lignocellulose degradation, and humic acid formation by accumulating precursors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]