Abstract: Compost is a complex system mediated by multiple factors. Functional microbes, which play a crucial role in composting, are regulated by environmental factors. There are obvious differences in microbial population during different composting stages. In recent years, researchers have clarified the diversity and function of dominant microbial populations, as well as the effects of environmental factors (temperature, oxygen, pH, EC, and nutrient levels) on the dominant microbial populations in different composting stages (mesophilic, thermophilic, cooling, and maturity). The interactions between the dominant microbial populations and environmental factors promote the fermentation processes of compost. This paper introduced the diversity, ecological functions and influencing factors of dominant microbial populations in different stages of composting, and proposed the problems faced by the composting research. This review provides a new perspective for the research direction and rational utilization of functional microbes in composting process.

Key words: Eupolyphaga frass, extract, root-knot nematode, volatile, chitosan.