What is the term for the process of breaking down organic material to create fertilizer?

Composting is the process of breaking down organic material, such as food scraps and yard waste, to create fertilizer. This method typically involves a controlled biological process in which microorganisms like bacteria and fungi decompose the organic matter into a nutrient-rich soil amendment known as compost. The resulting compost provides essential nutrients to plants, improves soil structure, and enhances moisture retention.

This process usually requires a balance of carbon-rich materials (often referred to as "browns") and nitrogen-rich materials ("greens") to optimize the decomposition process. Additionally, composting can take place in backyard bins or in large-scale facilities, making it a versatile method for recycling organic waste and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

While fermentation, digestion, and decomposition are related processes, they do not specifically refer to the creation of fertilizer from organic materials in the same way that composting does. Fermentation involves breaking down sugars by microorganisms in the absence of oxygen, digestion generally refers to the breakdown of food within organisms, and decomposition is a broader term encompassing the natural process of organic material breakdown, which may not necessarily result in a stable, usable fertilizer like compost does.