10.57647/ijrowa-2025-8144

The effects of compost application on soil properties: Agricultural and environmental benefits

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  • Farida Iraji*1,
  • Raimundo Jiménez-Ballesta2,
  • Jorge Mongil-Manso3,
  • Graciela Pellejero4,
  • David Miguélez5,
  • Payam Najafi1,
  • Juan Manuel Trujillo González6,
  1. Water Studies Research Center, Isf.C., Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
  2. Autónoma University of Madrid, Spain
  3. Forest, Water & Soil Research Group. Catholic University of Ávila, Spain
  4. CURZA - Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Río Negro, 8500 Viedma, Argentina
  5. Grupo Ibérico de Anillamiento, Madrid, Spain
  6. Universidad de los Llanos, Villavicencio, Colombia
The effects of compost application on soil properties: Agricultural and environmental benefits

Received: 2025-02-20

Revised: 2025-04-21

Accepted: 2025-05-31

Published in Issue 2025-06-30

Copyright (c) -1 Farida Iraji, Raimundo Jiménez-Ballesta, Jorge Mongil-Manso, Graciela Pellejero, David Miguélez, Payam Najafi, Juan Manuel Trujillo González (Author)

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Iraji, F., Jiménez-Ballesta, R., Mongil-Manso, J., Pellejero, G., Miguélez, D., Najafi, P., & González, J. M. T. (2025). The effects of compost application on soil properties: Agricultural and environmental benefits. International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture. https://doi.org/10.57647/ijrowa-2025-8144
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Abstract

Purpose: Human activities generate substantial waste, often relegated to landfills or incineration. Composting offers a valuable alternative, transforming waste into organic fertilizers that can improve soil health. This review examines the multifaceted influences of compost application on soil properties, the associated agricultural and environmental benefits.

Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted, analyzing numerous research articles focused on compost application in agricultural soils. The review prioritized studies investigating the direct and indirect effects of varying compost application rates on a range of soil properties. The search encompassed databases and scientific journals related to soil science, environmental science, and agriculture.

Results: The reviewed literature consistently demonstrated that compost incorporation positively influences several key soil properties. Compost application generally led to a reduction in bulk density, indicating improved soil structure. Furthermore, it enhanced water infiltration and hydraulic conductivity, promoting better water management. Compost also increased soil water content and the availability of plant-available water, benefiting plant growth. The review highlighted that compost application generally has positive effects on agricultural and environmental soils.

Conclusion: Composting offers a sustainable waste management strategy with significant potential for soil improvement. The reviewed evidence supports the widespread use of compost as a soil amendment to enhance soil physical properties, water relations, and potentially other soil chemical and biological properties. These improvements contribute to enhanced soil health, sustainable agriculture, and environmental protection, particularly in the context of degraded soil remediation. Further research is encouraged to optimize compost application rates for different soil types and cropping systems.

Research Highlights

·       Soil Structure Improvement: Compost reduces bulk density, enhances porosity, and improves water retention, particularly in degraded soils.

·       Nutrient Enrichment: Provides slow-release macronutrients (N, P, K) and increases cation exchange capacity (CEC), improving long-term soil fertility.

·       Microbial Enhancement: Boosts microbial activity and diversity, aiding nutrient cycling and suppressing soil-borne pathogens.

·       Sustainable Waste Management: Diverts organic waste from landfills, reducing methane emissions and supporting circular agriculture.

·       Optimization Needed: Benefits depend on compost type, soil conditions, and application rates (20–30 Mg/ha every 2–3 years), requiring site-specific strategies.

Keywords

  • Composting,
  • Waste management,
  • Soil improvement,
  • Sustainable agriculture
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