Dynamic Changes in Physicochemical Properties and Microbial Community in Three Types of Recycled Manure Solids for Dairy Heifers

Abstract

Recycled manure solids (RMSs) are widely utilised as beddings due to their economic and environmentally friendly features. Internal change in RMSs plays a vital role in the stable operation and management of beddings. However, the internal microenvironment of various manure beddings has not been fully reported. Therefore, we evaluated the physicochemical properties, internal gases and changes in the microbial community of the in situ fermentation beds, which were prefermented by cow manure with sawdust (FSD), straw (FST) and sawdust–straw mixture (FM), at a farm in Jiangsu, China, from June to September 2022. The results indicated that the FSD and FM beds were more capable of degrading organic matter (OM), accumulating total nitrogen and processing a more stable pH environment. FSD bed promoted the conversion of nitrate–nitrogen and ammonium–nitrogen (NH4+-N). Different treatments and times had significant effects on bacterial and fungal communities. FSD enriched Chloroflexi, and FST enriched Actinobacteriota in the early stage, while FM enriched Proteobacteria in the late stage. Bacterial communities were more sensitive to NH4+-N and OM, while fungal communities were more sensitive to temperature and pH. FSD had potential advantages concerning N conversion and C emission reduction. The results of the study revealed the microenvironmental dynamics during bedding use, providing a theoretical basis for the use of a compost bedding system for managing recycled dairy manure.