D6.2_Report on EOMs best management practices and practical guidelines for EOMs end-users

The EOM4SOIL project explores the use of external organic matter (EOM) as a soil amendment in agriculture. EOM includes urban and industrial bio-wastes, as well as farm-produced materials like crop residues and livestock manure. These materials often undergo processes such as anaerobic digestion, carbonization, and composting to create soil amendments that improve physical, chemical and biological properties of agricultural soils.Research over the past two decades shows that using EOM in soil management preserves soil fertility and improves ecosystem functions. Without EOM, soil fertility can decline, limiting nutrient availability, and soil structure degrades reducing soil porosity, aeration and water capacity, with a direct impact on biodiversity.The European Union promotes EOM recycling as part of a Circular Economy due to its benefits, including:- Returning carbon to soils and potential carbon storage,- Enhancing soil fertility and biological activity,- Improving physical and chemical soil properties,- Increasing nutrient use efficiency.The present document provides best management practices and guidelines for EOM use, aiming to mitigate climate change and improve soil health, especially for arable and permanent crops. These guidelines are based on research conducted under various conditions and aim to increase soil organic matter content sustainably. The document offers also practical advice to ensure the safe use of EOM, preventing soil contamination and inappropriate management that could generate N leaching and greenhouse gas emissions.