Organic amendments such as compost are widely promoted for enriching soil microbial communities and supporting key soil functions

The gap

Evidence profile

Sourced from the future-work section and stated research gap and conclusions and inline gaps and abstract of the source papers, classified as general, drawn from work published between 2025 and 2026, spanning 5 journals. Those papers have been cited 28 times in total.

Supporting evidence — 8 representative gaps

• Effects of Sewage Sludge Compost on Carbon, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Sulfur Ratios and Soil Enzyme Activities in a Long-Term Experiment (2025) · Agronomy · cited 18× · doi

  Further studies are needed to investigate the effects of sewage sludge compost on different soil types, - Research is needed to determine the optimal application rates and frequencies of sewage sludge compost, - Studies should be conducted to examine the long-term effects of sewage sludge compost on soil health and fertility

  generalfuture-work section
  Keywords: further studies needed investigate effects sewage sludge compost
• Compost Substrate Formulations Reshape Soil Physicochemical Properties and Rhizosphere Microbiota: A PLS-SEM Analysis (2026) · Journal of soil science and plant nutrition · doi

  The effects of compost substrate formulations on soil physicochemical properties and rhizosphere microbiota are not well understood. There is a need for an integrated framework linking compost substrate formulation, soil physicochemistry, rhizosphere microbiota, and plant growth. The study aims to address this gap by evaluating the effects of different compost substrate formulations on soil and microbiota.

  generalstated research gapevidence 5/5
  Keywords: effects compost substrate formulations soil physicochemical properties rhizosphere
• An overview of conventional and emerging aspects of compost: quality indicators for agricultural uses, emerging contaminants and technological innovations (2026) · Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems · cited 2× · doi

  The paper identifies a gap in the understanding of emerging contaminants in compost. It highlights the need for improved compost quality indicators and certification schemes. The paper discusses the importance of addressing societal aspects, such as public acceptance and cost-benefit balance, in composting.

  generalstated research gapevidence 5/5
  Keywords: paper identifies gap understanding emerging contaminants compost highlights
• Mitigating ammonium and nitrate leaching in rice-wheat crop rotation: efficacy of neem coated urea and compost co-application (2025) · Frontiers in Environmental Science · cited 2× · doi

  Further studies are needed to investigate the long-term effects of NCU and compost on soil health and crop productivity. Research is needed to explore the potential of other slow-release fertilizers and organic amendments in reducing N leaching. Studies should be conducted to evaluate the economic and environmental feasibility of using NCU and compost in different agricultural systems.

  generalfuture-work sectionevidence 5/5
  Keywords: further studies needed investigate long-term effects ncu compost
• Feasibility of Co-Composting Sewage Sludge with Vine Pruning Residues for Sustainable Waste Management (2026) · Agronomy · doi

  Future research should focus on complementary assessments not addressed in the present study to provide a more comprehensive evaluation of compost quality, environ- mental safety, and agronomic performance. Additional investigation into dissolved organic carbon and humification indices (humic and fulvic substances) would contribute to a deeper understanding of organic matter stabilization and compost maturity.

  generalconclusionsevidence 5/5
  Keywords: compost organic future focus complementary assessments addressed present provide comprehensive evaluation quality environ mental safety
• Assessing Deep Maturity of Compost: Relative Cotyledon Chlorophyll as a Complementary Indicator in Full-Scale Cow Manure Composting (2026) · Agronomy · doi

  Investigating the effects of different composting technologies on plant growth, - Evaluating the feasibility of RCC as a complementary indicator of deep maturity in various composting systems, - Studying the relationships between RCC and other chemical indices, - Examining the potential applications of RCC in different fields, such as agriculture and horticulture

  generalfuture-work sectionevidence 5/5
  Keywords: investigating effects different composting technologies plant growth evaluating
• Compost improves soil fertility index and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) yield under drought: integrating multivariate soil–plant modeling and Monte Carlo Simulation across sandy loam and silty clay soils (2026) · Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems · cited 6× · doi

  Future research should focus on quantifying long-term compost effects on soil carbon dynamics, microbial networks, and nutrient legacy effects, as well as evaluating compost performance under combined stress scenarios such as heat stress, and irregular rainfall patterns.

  generalinline gapsevidence 4/5
  Keywords: compost effects stress future focus quantifying long term soil carbon dynamics microbial networks nutrient legacy
• Compost application more strongly shapes soil fungal than bacterial communities across arable fields (2026) · ISME Communications · doi

  Abstract Organic amendments such as compost are widely promoted for enriching soil microbial communities and supporting key soil functions, yet their effects across diverse farming systems and pedoclimatic conditions remain poorly understood.

  generalabstractevidence 2/5
  Keywords: soil abstract organic amendments compost widely promoted enriching microbial communities supporting functions effects across diverse

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