Compost Formulation from Different Wastes to Enhance the Soil and Plant Productivity A Review

Abstract

Different types and sources of compost are used to increase agricultural productivity. This review reveals different compost formulation methods and the incorporation of those methods into agriculture to reduce waste production, providing a better way to maintain soil fertility for better plant yield. This review furnishes an in-depth update on the impact of prepared compost from different ingredients like municipal waste, kitchen-based food waste, livestock waste, agricultural waste, algae, and industrial waste to find the effects on soil health, plant growth parameters (height, stem diameter, leaf number, chlorophyll content, etc.), and plant yield. Several studies have shown that compost significantly affects the soil’s health and improves different plants’ morphological (height, width, stem diameter, leaf shape, leaf size, leaf arrangement, root system), physiological (photosynthesis rate, transpiration rate, respiration rate, stomatal conductance, chlorophyll content, carbon dioxide assimilation, nutrient uptake, water use efficiency, flowering time, germination rate), and chemical properties (pH, macronutrient content, micronutrient content, carbohydrate content, protein content, lipid content, phytochemical content, essential oil content, pigment content). Produced compost from different ingredients has significant results for enhancing soil health, nutrient supply to plants, reducing heavy metal accumulation in plants, increasing plant yield, and reducing the environmental pollution. Overall, the results of this study demonstrate the potential of compost formulations made from different waste materials to enhance soil fertility and plant productivity. These findings have important implications for sustainable agriculture and waste management practices. Using compost as a soil amendment can help reduce waste and improve soil health, increasing plant yields and reducing the need for chemical fertilisers. However, the dose of compost prepared from various wastes in different climatic conditions should be optimized at the farm level, with particular emphasis on economic sustainability.