Asset Details
Do you wish to reserve the book?
Compost Application Enhances Soil Health and Maintains Crop Yield: Insights From 56 Farmer‐Managed Arable Fields
Hey, we have placed the reservation for you!
By the way, why not check out events that you can attend while you pick your title.
Oops! Something went wrong.
Looks like we were not able to place the reservation. Kindly try again later.
Are you sure you want to remove the book from the shelf?
Compost Application Enhances Soil Health and Maintains Crop Yield: Insights From 56 Farmer‐Managed Arable Fields
Do you wish to request the book?
Compost Application Enhances Soil Health and Maintains Crop Yield: Insights From 56 Farmer‐Managed Arable Fields
Please be aware that the book you have requested cannot be checked out. If you would like to checkout this book, you can reserve another copy
We have requested the book for you!
Your request is successful and it will be processed during the Library working hours. Please check the status of your request in My Requests.
Oops! Something went wrong.
Looks like we were not able to place your request. Kindly try again later.
Journal Article
Compost Application Enhances Soil Health and Maintains Crop Yield: Insights From 56 Farmer‐Managed Arable Fields
2025
Overview
Introduction Improving soil health while maintaining crop yield is a key challenge for farmers. So far, only a few studies assessed the effects of compost and solid digestate application on soil health and plant yield under practical on‐farm conditions across both organic and conventional cropping systems. Materials and Methods This study examined 56 arable fields in Switzerland, managed either conventionally (n = 39) or organically (n = 17) by individual farmers. Fields were categorised based on their fertilisation history: standard fertilisation (n = 21), including livestock manure, slurry, and mineral fertilisers (reference), or with additional compost (n = 26) or solid digestate (n = 9) amendments. Soil health was assessed based on eight chemical, biological, and physical soil health indicators. Results Compost use, but not solid digestate use, was associated with enhanced average soil health ( + 31% over reference fields), driven by increases in basal respiration ( + 45%), cation exchange capacity ( + 42%), fungal richness ( + 18%), and marginally higher soil organic carbon stocks ( + 28%). These differences were consistent across management systems, despite site variability. Clay content and extended periods of crop cover also positively influenced soil health. Wheat yields were 21% lower under organic management but unaffected by compost or digestate use. Conclusion These findings suggest that using compost alongside practices like extended periods of crop cover can effectively promote soil health while maintaining yields in practical farming scenarios, offering a means to balance multiple sustainability goals simultaneously.
