The effect of the microbiological inocula to efficiently decompose animal manures into mature compost was studied. In general, TOC, water contents and C/N ratio decreased during decomposition in two composts and those properties dropped faster in the microbiological inocula compost than the natural compost. The total nitrogen content and NO3--N behaved in the opposite manner and those properties increased faster in the microbiological inocula compost than the natural compost. The pH and NH4+-N increased first, and then decreased in two composts. The microbiological inocula showed a more rapid rate of temperature elevation at the start of composting and prolonged the time of high-temperature process. The microbiological inocula were able to facilitate the microbial diversity of the compost. Based on germination assays, the microbiological inocula seems to be advantageous in reducing the maturation time of cow manure compost. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.