From Waste to Soil Fertility: Comparative Assessment of Anaerobic Digestion and Aerobic Composting in Agricultural Sustainability

Tarik Foughal; Bouchaib Bahlaouan; Meriem Mahmoudi; Nadia Boutaleb

doi:10.63095/NBSEH.26.345288

Authors

Tarik Foughal Hassan II University of Casablanca (ROR: https://ror.org/001q4kn48), Laboratory of Biotechnology, Agri-Food, Materials and Environment, Team: Biotechnologies, Resource Valorization, Quality, Health and Ecotoxicology, Faculty of Science and Technology Mohammedia, BP 146, Mohammedia 20650, Morocco
Bouchaib Bahlaouan Higher Institutes of the Nursing Professions and Techniques of Health (ISPITS Casa) (ROR: https://ror.org/01wcdkp35), Laboratory of Care, Health and Sustainable Development 2S2D, Casablanca 22500, Morocco
Meriem Mahmoudi Hassan II University of Casablanca (ROR: https://ror.org/001q4kn48), Laboratory of Biotechnology, Agri-Food, Materials and Environment, Team: Biotechnologies, Resource Valorization, Quality, Health and Ecotoxicology, Faculty of Science and Technology Mohammedia, BP 146, Mohammedia 20650, Morocco
Nadia Boutaleb Hassan II University of Casablanca (ROR: https://ror.org/001q4kn48), Laboratory of Biotechnology, Agri-Food, Materials and Environment, Team: Biotechnologies, Resource Valorization, Quality, Health and Ecotoxicology, Faculty of Science and Technology Mohammedia, BP 146, Mohammedia 20650, Morocco

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63095/NBSEH.26.345288

Keywords:

Organic waste, Anaerobic digestion, Sustainable soil fertility

Abstract

The increase in organic waste production, demographic growth, urbanization, and the intensification of agricultural activities have increased the need for sustainable nutrient recycling. Biological treatment of organic waste, represented by composting and anaerobic digestion, is one of the most effective solutions. Compost and digestate are the main products of these processes. These materials meet circular economy principles, though their chemical characteristics and agricultural functions differ. Digestate is rich in minerals readily assimilated by plants, providing rapid nutrient supply. Compost releases nutrients more slowly and contains stable organic matter that improves soil fertility and structure over time. If appropriate agricultural practices are not applied, rapid nutrient availability may lead to risks such as nutrient loss, salinity, or plant phytotoxicity. Compost and digestate are complementary. Their combined use can balance rapid plant nutrition with long-term improvements in soil’s physical and chemical properties and reduce reliance on mineral fertilizers.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Kaza, S., Yao, L. C., Bhada-Tata, P., & Van Woerden, F., 2018, What a Waste 2.0: A Global Snapshot of Solid Waste Management to 2050 (Washington, DC: World Bank).

United Nations Environment Programme & International Solid Waste Association, 2024, Global Waste Management Outlook 2024 (Nairobi: United Nations Environment Programme).

Cordeiro, C. M., & Sindhøj, E., 2024, Situating the discourse of recycled nutrient fertilizers in circular economy principles for sustainable agriculture. Frontiers in Sustainability 5, 1465752. https://doi.org/10.3389/frsus.2024.1465752

FAO, 2018, Sustainable Food and Agriculture. Available online at: https://www.fao.org/sustainability/en (accessed 2 March 2026).

Möller, K., & Müller, T., 2012, Effects of anaerobic digestion on digestate nutrient availability and crop growth: A review. Engineering in Life Sciences 12(3), 242-257. https://doi.org/10.1002/elsc.201100085

Alburquerque, J. A., de la Fuente, C., & Bernal, M. P., 2012, Chemical properties of anaerobic digestates affecting C and N dynamics in amended soils. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 160, 15-22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2011.03.007

Oshins, C., Michel, F., Louis, P., Richard, T. L., & Rynk, R., 2022, The composting process. In: F. Michel (Ed.), The Composting Handbook (Amsterdam: Elsevier). https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-85602-7.00008X

Waqas, M., Hashim, S., Humphries, U. W., Ahmad, S., Noor, R., Shoaib, M., Naseem, A., Hlaing, P. T., & Lin, H. A., 2023, Composting processes for agricultural waste management: A comprehensive review. Processes 11(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11030731

Nkoa, R., 2014, Agricultural benefits and environmental risks of soil fertilization with anaerobic digestates: A review. Agronomy for Sustainable Development 34(2), 473-492. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13593-013-0196-z.

Lončarić, Z., Galić, V., Nemet, F., Perić, K., Galić, L., Ragályi, P., Uzinger, N., & Rékási, M., 2024, The evaluation of compost maturity and ammonium toxicity using different plant species in a germination test. Agronomy 14(11), 2636. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14112636

Ouali, A., Hiouani, F., Beribeche, K., & Madani, D., 2025, Optimized date palm waste composting: Accelerating maturity via C: N ratio and moisture adjustments using a rotary drum system. Journal of Ecological Engineering, 26(8), 120-131. DOI: https://doi.org/10.12911/22998993/203810

Sigurnjak, I., Michels, E., Crappé, S., Buysens, S., Tack, F., & Meers, E., 2021, Fate of nutrients during anaerobic digestion of manure and digestate application to soil. Waste Management 119, 1-10. DOI :10.18174/572615

Czekała, W., 2022, Digestate as a source of nutrients: Nitrogen and its fractions. Water 14(24), 4067. https://doi.org/10.3390/w14244067

Geisseler, D., Smith, R., Cahn, M., & Muramoto, J., 2021, Nitrogen mineralization from organic fertilizers and composts: Literature survey and model fitting. Journal of Environmental Quality 50(6), 1325-1338. https://doi.org/10.1002/jeq2.20295

Nicholson, F., Bhogal, A., Cardenas, L., Chadwick, D., Misselbrook, T., Rollett, A., Taylor, M., Thorman, R., & Williams, J., 2017, Nitrogen losses to the environment following food-based digestate and compost applications to agricultural land. Environmental Pollution 228, 504-516. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2017.05.023

Regelink, I. C., Egene, C. E., Tack, F. M. G., & Meers, E., 2021, Speciation of phosphorus in solid organic fertilizers from digestate and biowaste. Agronomy 11(11). https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11112233

Szymańska, M., Ahrends, H. E., Srivastava, A. K., & Sosulski, T., 2022, Anaerobic digestate from biogas plants—nuisance waste or valuable product? Applied Sciences 12(8). https://doi.org/10.3390/app12084052

Sogn, T. A., Dragicevic, I., Linjordet, R., Krogstad, T., Eijsink, V. G. H., & Eich-Greatorex, S., 2018, Recycling of biogas digestates in plant production: NPK fertilizer value and risk of leaching. International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture 7(1), 49-58. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40093-017-0188-0

Elshony, M., Farid, I., Elkamar, F., Abbas, H., Ali, I., & Abbas, M., 2025, Effects of Organic Amendments on Soil productivity, its physical and chemical properties: A Review of Compost and Biochar Applications. Biochar and Compost Technology 2(1), 72-92. doi: 10.21608/bct.2025.372759.1002

Benhachem, I., Bentamra, Z., Amiri, O., Abbassi, R., Mehenni, C., Benkhelifa, M., & Santos, D. R. D., 2022, The effects of urban waste compost on physical and chemical soil properties in Mostaganem region. Plant Archives 22(2), (09725210). https://doi.org/10.51470/PLANTARCHIVES.2022.v22.no2.023

Hammerschmiedt, T., Kintl, A., Holatko, J., Mustafa, A., Vitez, T., Malicek, O., Baltazar, T., Elbl, J., & Brtnicky, M., 2022, Assessment of digestates prepared from maize, legumes, and their mixed culture as soil amendments: Effects on plant biomass and soil properties. Frontiers in Plant Science 13, 1017191. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.1017191

Sossa, E. L., Agbangba, C. E., Koura, T. W., Ayifimi, O. J., Houssoukpèvi, I. A., Bouko, N. D. B., Yalinkpon, F., & Amadji, G. L., 2024, Dynamics of co-composting of pineapple harvest and processing residues with poultry litter and compost quality. Scientific Reports 14, 17194. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-17194-0

Koishi, A., Bragazza, L., Maltas, A., Guillaume, T., & Sinaj, S., 2020, Long-term effects of organic amendments on soil organic matter quantity and quality in conventional cropping systems in Switzerland. Agronomy 10(12). https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10121977

Lori, M., Symnaczik, S., Mäder, P., De Deyn, G., & Gattinger, A., 2017, Organic farming enhances soil microbial abundance and activity—A meta-analysis and meta-regression. PLoS ONE 12(7), e0180442. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0180442.

Iwasaki, S., Endo, Y., & Hatano, R., 2017, The effect of organic matter application on carbon sequestration and soil fertility. Soil Science and Plant Nutrition 63(2), 200-220. https://doi.org/10.1080/00380768.2017.1309255

Rivier, P.-A., Jamniczky, D., Nemes, A., Makó, A., Barna, G., Uzinger, N., Rékási, M., & Farkas, C., 2022, Short-term effects of compost amendments on soil structure and hydraulic properties. Journal of Hydrology and Hydromechanics 70(1), 74-88. https://doi.org/10.2478/johh-2022-0004

Risberg, K., Cederlund, H., Pell, M., Arthurson, V., & Schnürer, A., 2017, Comparative characterization of digestate versus manure. Waste Management 61, 529-538. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2016.12.016

Van Midden, C., Harris, J., Shaw, L., Sizmur, T., & Pawlett, M., 2023, Impact of anaerobic digestate on soil life. Applied Soil Ecology 191, 105066. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsoil.2023.105066

Tambone, F., Orzi, V., D’Imporzano, G., & Adani, F., 2017, Solid and liquid fractionation of digestate. Bioresource Technology 243, 1251-1256. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2017.07.130

Reimer, M., Kopp, C., Hartmann, T. E., Zimmermann, H., Ruser, R., Schulz, R., Müller, T., & Möller, K., 2023, Assessing long-term effects of compost fertilization on soil fertility and nitrogen mineralization rate. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science 186(2), 217-233.

Zhang, Y., Wu, L., Zhang, X., Deng, A., Abdulkareem, R., Wang, D., Zheng, C., & Zhang, W., 2022, Long-term organic amendment effects on nutrient distribution. Agronomy 12(5). https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12051162.

Šimon, T., Kunzová, E., & Friedlová, M., 2015, Effect of digestate, cattle slurry and mineral fertilization on winter wheat yield. Plant Soil and Environment 61(11), 522-527. https://doi.org/10.17221/530/2015-PSE

Winkhart, F., Schmid, H., & Hülsbergen, K. J., 2024, Effects of biogas digestate on winter wheat yield and nitrogen balance. Agronomy 14(8). https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14081739

Caterino, D., Follador, A., Galbusera, J., Guffanti, D., Cocetta, G., Geuna, F., Dell’Orto, M., Scaglia, B., Passera, A., Riva, E., Casati, P., Ferrante, A., & Tambone, F., 2024, Evolution of biogenic nitrogen from digestates for lettuce fertilization. Horticulturae 10(7). https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10070685

Li, F., Yuan, Y., Gong, P., Imazumi, Y., Na, R., & Shimizu, N., 2023, Comparative effects of mineral fertilizer and digestate on lettuce growth. Horticulture, Environment and Biotechnology 64(3), 379-391. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13580-022-00492-w

Carraturo, F., Panico, A., Giordano, A., Libralato, G., Aliberti, F., Galdiero, E., & Guida, M., 2022, Hygienic assessment of digestate from anaerobic co-digestion. Environmental Research 206, 112585. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2021.112585

Russell, L., Whyte, P., Zintl, A., Gordon, S., Markey, B., de Waal, T., Cummins, E., Nolan, S., O’Flaherty, V., Abram, F., Richards, K., Fenton, O., & Bolton, D., 2020, Bacterial contamination of anaerobic digestion materials. Bioengineering 7(3), 116. https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering7030116

Werner, K. A., Poehlein, A., Schneider, D., El-Said, K., Wöhrmann, M., Linkert, I., Hübner, T., Brüggemann, N., Prost, K., Daniel, R., & Grohmann, E., 2022, Thermophilic composting and microbial community development. Frontiers in Microbiology 13, 824834. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2022.824834

Anacleto, T. M., Oliveira, H. R., Carraro, G., Skvortsova, P., Šafarič, L., Shakeri, S. Y., Björn, A., Pinheiros, É. F. M., & Enrich-Prast, A., 2025, Performance-based criteria for safe digestate use. Scientific Reports 16, 3369. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-33314-x

Tsabedze, S. A., Otieno, B., Thomas, A. R., & Getahun, S. T., 2025, Phytotoxicity and quality in compost. Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management 27. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10163-025-02334-0

Estrella-González, M. J., Suárez-Estrella, F., Jurado, M. M., López, M. J., López-González, J. A., Siles-Castellano, A. B., Muñoz-Mérida, A., & Moreno, J., 2020, Indicators predicting compost stability and maturity. Bioresource Technology 313, 123557. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2020.123557

Kong, Y., Zhang, J., Yang, Y., Liu, Y., Zhang, L., Wang, G., Liu, G., Dang, R., Li, G., & Yuan, J., 2023, Extraction conditions and phytotoxicity threshold for compost maturity evaluation. Waste Management 171, 502-511. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2023.09.040

Agegnehu, G., Bass, A. M., Nelson, P. N., Muirhead, B., Wright, G., & Bird, M. I., 2015, Biochar and biochar-compost as soil amendments. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 213, 72-85. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2015.07.027

Büyükkılıç Yanardağ, A., & Yanardağ, İ. H., 2024, Vermicompost applications in soils. MAS Journal of Applied Sciences 9(Special Issue), 734–740. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13899379

Huf, M. ten, Reinsch, T., Zutz, M., Essich, C., Ruser, R., Buchen-Tschiskale, C., Flessa, H., & Olfs, H. W., 2023, Effects of liquid manure application techniques on ammonia emission. Agronomy 13(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13020472

Voutsinos-Frantzis, O., Savvas, D., Antoniadou, N., Karavidas, I., Ntanasi, T., Sabatino, L., & Ntatsi, G., 2024, Cultivation practices reducing nitrate content in lettuce. Horticulturae 10(4), 375. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10040375

Cheong, J. C., Lee, J. T. E., Lim, J. W., Song, S., Tan, J. K. N., Chiam, Z. Y., Yap, K. Y., Lim, E. Y., Zhang, J., Tan, H. T. W., & Tong, Y. W., 2020, Food waste digestate as fertilizer for leafy vegetables. Science of the Total Environment 715, 136789. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.136789

Pecorini, I., Peruzzi, E., Albini, E., Doni, S., Macci, C., Masciandaro, G., & Iannelli, R., 2020, Evaluation of compost-digestate mixtures in circular economy. Sustainability 12(7). https://doi.org/10.3390/su12073042