Bioconversion of Agricultural Residues into Nutrient-Rich Compost: A Sustainable Approach to Waste Valorization
Aiswarya Prasanth
Department of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695522, India.
Mohammed Nabin
Department of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695522, India.
N. Chitra
Department of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695522, India.
Gowri Priya
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Kerala Agricultural University, Ambalavayal, Wayanad, Kerala 673593, India.
S. Anu Rajan
Department of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695522, India.
K. N. Anith
Department of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695522, India.
V. I. Soumya *
Department of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695522, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The rapid expansion of agro-industrial production has generated large volumes of lignocellulosic agricultural residues, many of which remain underutilized or are burned, causing nutrient loss and environmental pollution. Composting provides a sustainable pathway to convert these wastes into valuable organic amendments, yet the inherent resistance of plant structural polymers often slows decomposition and reduces compost quality. Emerging research highlights the potential of microbial consortia, combining lignocellulolytic, thermotolerant and nutrient-mobilizing microorganisms to substantially enhance biomass breakdown and accelerate compost maturation. These tailored communities improve organic matter transformation and humus formation by coordinating complementary metabolic activities under optimized composting conditions. This review synthesizes recent advances in consortium-based composting and outlines their advantages over conventional methods. Overall, the strategic use of microbial consortia offers a cost-effective and environmentally sound approach for converting agricultural residues into high-quality compost, strengthening soil fertility and supporting sustainable land management.
Keywords: Lignocellulosic agricultural residues, microbial consortia, composting, soil fertility