Assessing the effects of compost on soil health

Publication date: 10/10/2022
Extent: 60 pages

Contributions by: Cristina Lazcano, University of California-Davis, USA; Charlotte Decock, California Polytechnic State University, USA; Connie T. F. Wong, University of California-Davis, USA; and Kamille Garcia-Brucher, California Polytechnic State University, USA

Chapter synopsis: As agricultural producers embrace the principles of the circular economy and regenerative practices, the use of organic fertilizers is becoming increasingly common. Composting is a robust, low-cost technology that stabilizes organic waste materials into organic fertilizers that can be safely applied to crops. Numerous experiments carried out in the last decades show that compost has well-known short- and long-term, direct, and indirect benefits for soil health, albeit these are extremely variable. This uncertainty may decrease grower adoption rates. This chapter provides a critical evaluation of the potential of compost to improve soil health. Looking at a wide range of soil health indicators, we identify those that are consistently responsive to compost. We identify sources of variability and potential risks of compost for environmental quality, pointing at future research needs. Two case studies evaluate the tradeoffs between benefit and risks in the use of compost in perennial and annual crops.

DOI: 10.19103/AS.2021.0094.06