Abstract: The environmental pollution and resource waste caused by livestock and poultry breeding manure represents a significant practical problem for large-scale livestock farms. Composting is an effective way for the resource utilization of livestock and poultry manure. The present research subjects were cattle manure and sawdust, which were treated with peanut shell (CSP) and without peanut shell (CS). The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effects of the addition of peanut shell bulk agent on the quality and performance of cattle manure compost. The results showed that the maximum temperature of compost in CS and CSP treatments reached 67.1 ℃ and 69.5 ℃, respectively, and the duration of high temperature lasted 26 days and 15 days, respectively. Compared with CS, CSP accelerated the pile temperature rise and the pile maturity and stability. The final germination index of CS and CSP reached 80.10% and 103.56%, respectively, and the organic matter degradation rate reached 11.35% and 13.25%, respectively. In addition, compared with that in the initial state, the E465/E665 in CS and CSP increased by 30.68% and 94.74%, respectively, the content of humus increased by 21.06% and 31.53%, respectively, the content of humic acid increased by 57.48% and 71.15%, respectively，the degree of polymerization increased by 97.96% and 189.29%, respectively, CSP had the better effect on promoting the humification process and aromaticity degree of compost. The results of Spearman correlation analysis and structural equation model demonstrated dissolved organic carbon and the ratio of carbon to nitrogen were key influencing factors in the humification process of cattle compost. The addition of peanut shell enhanced the correlation between humification parameters and spectral parameters. Meanwhile, it also increased the pathways that significantly affected the formation of humic acid, promoting the active conversion of carbon and nitrogen nutrients to humic acid, thus enhancing the degree of humification and aromaticity of compost products. The results provided a scientific basis for the efficient and directional regulation of humification in the commercial composting of cattle manure waste.

Key words: composting, cattle manure, peanut shell, bulk agent, humification, aromaticity