What are organic amendments used for?

Organic amendments are primarily used to enhance soil fertility. This involves improving the nutrient content of the soil, which can support plant growth and improve crop yields. Organic amendments, such as compost, manure, or plant residues, not only provide essential nutrients but also improve soil structure, moisture retention, and microbial activity, all of which contribute to better plant health and productivity.

In contrast, while some organic amendments might influence pH or involve practices that can affect weeds or salinity, these are not their primary purposes. For instance, increasing pH typically involves the application of lime, while managing weeds often requires different strategies. Increasing soil salinity is generally undesirable in agriculture and indicates soil health issues, which organic amendments typically aim to mitigate rather than exacerbate. Thus, the enhancement of soil fertility remains the core reason for using organic amendments.