Compost contains more than N, P and K. A 2024 Scientific Reports study used LC–MS to profile phytohormones in six composts or extracts made from agri-food industry waste.
Six hormone groups and up to 35 compounds
The study detected compounds from auxin, cytokinin, gibberellin, brassinosteroid, abscisic acid and salicylic acid groups. Buckwheat-husk compost and biohumus extract contained 35 detected compounds, whereas hemp-chaff/apple-pomace compost contained 14.
Total phytohormone concentration ranged dramatically: biohumus extract contained 2026.42 ng/g dry weight, while one organic compost contained only 0.18 ng/g.
Detection is not proof of plant-growth stimulation
This was primarily a chemical-profiling study. The six materials were not compared in crop bioassays for rooting, flowering or yield. Bioavailability, soil degradation and effective dose remain separate questions.
Phytohormone profiles could eventually become useful compost quality markers, but that requires linking analytical chemistry to reproducible plant responses.
For related context, see Bacteria Make the Plant Hormone IAA Too: Auxin as a Plant–Microbe Communication Signal.
For related context, see Crop Diversification Reshapes Peanut Root Exudates and Soil Microbes to Increase Nitrogen Fixation.
For related context, see Turmeric-Leaf Seed Priming Raised Chickpea Germination to 94.5% and Field Yield by Up to 16%.
Reference
- Sienkiewicz A et al. Occurrence of plant hormones in composts made from organic fraction of agri-food industry waste. Scientific Reports. 2024;14:6808. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-57524-x
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