How compost increases soil moisture content and water holding capacity?
Searched over 200M research papers
Research Analysis by Consensus
Beta · 20 papersConsensus Meter
Yes%
Possibly%
No%
Introduction
Compost application is widely recognized for its potential to improve soil properties, including soil moisture content and water holding capacity. This synthesis aims to consolidate findings from multiple research studies to understand how compost enhances these soil characteristics.
Key Insights
- Increased Soil Organic Matter and Water Retention:
- Compost addition significantly increases soil organic matter, which in turn enhances soil water retention and water holding capacity .
- Improved Soil Structure and Aggregation:
- The application of compost improves soil structure by increasing soil aggregation, which contributes to better water retention and soil moisture content, particularly in sandy and loamy soils .
- Enhanced Plant Available Water (PAW):
- Compost increases the plant available water by improving soil moisture retention, which is crucial for plant growth, especially in sandy soils with low inherent water retention capacity .
- Reduction in Water Losses:
- The use of compost, especially when combined with other amendments like zeolites, reduces water losses through drainage, thereby increasing soil water content in the upper soil layers.
- Increased Soil Moisture Storage:
- Compost application enhances soil moisture storage capacity, which is beneficial for crops like paddy rice that require substantial water.
- Positive Impact on Soil Physical Properties:
- Compost improves soil physical properties such as bulk density and porosity, leading to better water infiltration and retention .
Conclusion
Compost application is effective in increasing soil moisture content and water holding capacity by enhancing soil organic matter, improving soil structure and aggregation, and reducing water losses. These improvements are particularly beneficial in sandy and loamy soils, contributing to better plant growth and water management.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic