USO DO COMPOSTO ORGÂNICO NA AGRICULTURA MODERNA COMO UMA ALTERNATIVA SUSTENTÁVEL: REVISÃO DE LITERATURA

Abstract

The objective was to conduct a literature review on the use of organic compost in modern agriculture, highlighting its potential to reduce dependence on synthetic fertilizers and mitigate environmental impacts associated with inadequate waste management. Considering the strategic role of Brazilian agribusiness, especially in the Central-West region, the development of sustainable practices that reconcile high productivity and conservation of natural resources becomes essential. Composting presents itself as an efficient alternative, since it promotes the recycling of organic waste and contributes to the improvement of the physical, chemical, and biological attributes of the soil. The main factors that regulate the composting process, such as microbial activity, temperature, humidity, aeration, C/N ratio, and particle size, are determinants for obtaining stable organic composts of superior agronomic quality. The differences between aerobic and anaerobic processes are also discussed, with emphasis on the superiority of aerobic systems, including vermicomposting, in the formation of humic substances and in promoting soil fertility. Furthermore, methods for producing organic compost and research investigating its efficiency in the total or partial replacement of mineral fertilizers are analyzed. Scientific evidence indicates that organic compost can maintain or increase agricultural productivity, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and promote more sustainable production systems, although its performance varies according to soil type, crop, and the composition of the organic material used. It is concluded that composting is a viable practice for strengthening the sustainability and resilience of contemporary agriculture.