The researchers studied how adding certain microbes to cotton stalks composting can speed up the process and improve the quality of the compost. They used Phanerochaete chrysosporium and Azotobacter chroococcum microbes to help break down the materials. By adjusting the C/N ratio and monitoring temperature changes, they found that the compost with both microbes had the best characteristics, like a balanced C/N ratio and high nitrogen content. The compost was also found to be high quality and suitable for use as fertilizer after 16 weeks of composting.