Editorial: Recent Advances in Agricultural Waste Recycling by Microorganisms and Their Symbiosis

Qi Zhang^1*Xiang Wang²Pengfei Cheng³Shuhao Huo^4*Cuixia Liu⁵Zhigang Yu⁶

• ¹Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
• ²Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Drugs, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
• ³College of Food and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China
• ⁴School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, China
• ⁵School of Energy and Environment, Zhongyuan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
• ⁶Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology, Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

The mounting environmental burden caused by agricultural waste has drawn increasing global concern. From crop residues and livestock manure to agro-industrial effluents, these waste streams are rich in organic matter and nutrients, yet often underutilized or improperly managed. Microorganisms-particularly microalgae, bacteria, and fungi-have emerged as powerful agents in transforming such waste into value-added products, offering sustainable alternatives to conventional waste treatment and resource recovery strategies. Within this context, our Research Topic was conceived to showcase emerging trends, collaborative approaches, and integrative biotechnologies driving the frontier of microbial waste recycling.The published contributions in this collection reflect a multifaceted research landscape that integrates applied microbiology, environmental engineering, and systems biology. Together, they illustrate how microbial consortia, metabolic regulation, and bioreactor optimization converge to unlock the potential of agricultural waste. Rather than presenting a mere listing of articles, this editorial highlights how these studies contribute to broader scientific and societal goals, including sustainable development, circular bioeconomy, and pollution control.This Research Topic received and successfully published 11 peer-reviewed articles from authors across Asia, Europe, and Oceania. These studies exemplify recent scientific and technological advances in microbial-driven valorization of agricultural waste.Several studies demonstrate the innovative use of microbial consortia to enhance composting efficiency and nutrient retention. Taken together, the 11 articles featured in this Research Topic transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries. They collectively advocate for integrated microbiological approaches to agricultural waste management-highlighting not only innovations in laboratory settings, but also practical, scalable solutions for the field. These works underscore a shift toward ecosystem-inspired technologies, metabolic network engineering, and multi-functional microbial systems tailored to real-world complexity. This collection serves as both a benchmark and a catalyst for future research that integrates microbial ecology, biotechnology, and systems engineering in the pursuit of a more sustainable agricultural future. We thank all contributing authors, reviewers, and the Frontiers editorial team for their invaluable support and look forward to ongoing developments in this critical field.The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.The authors declared that they were an editorial board member of Frontiers, at the time of submission. This had no impact on the peer review process and the final decision.