Impacts of regenerative agriculture practices on soil health and resilience of subtropical agroecosystems

• Grant number: 25/02244-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: May 01, 2025
• End date: April 30, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Soil Science
• Principal Investigator: Maurício Roberto Cherubin
• Grantee: Mateus Abitante
• Host Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/10573-4 - Center for Carbon Research in Tropical Agriculture (CCARBON), AP.CEPID

Abstract

The intensifying effects of climate change have affected the stability and productivity of agricultural systems, posing significant risks to global food security. Several studies around the world have shown the positive effect of adopting regenerative agriculture practices on improving soil health and the yield stability of agricultural crops, resulting in agro-ecosystems that are more resilient to the effects of climatic adversities. However, in Brazil's subtropical region, which has been facing frequent climate extremes, there is still a gap in knowledge about the relationship between adopting regenerative agriculture practices, improving soil health and the resilience of agroecosystems. Another important challenge is to develop a methodological approach that allows for greater accessibility and scalability of soil health assessments. Thus, the aim of this project is to evaluate the impact of adopting regenerative agriculture practices on soil health, yield and productive resilience of subtropical agroecosystems in Brazil, using multiple metrics and scales of application. To do this, five farms will be selected in the subtropical region of Brazil and three plots will be evaluated on each farm, one with native vegetation and the other two with and without the use of regenerative practices. Deformed, semi-deformed and undeformed soil samples will be collected in the 0-10, 10-20 and 20-30 cm layers. Different soil health indices will be developed based on 1) the results of the indicators sampled and analyzed; 2) routine soil analyses carried out by the farmer; and 3) field assessments using the Kit SOHMA. Based on the area's management record (e.g. crop diversification, conservation practices, fertility management), the regenerative agriculture quality index (IQAR) will also be developed. Finally, the average yield of the crops will be assessed, as well as the resilience of the yield (represented by the coefficient of variation), and its behavior over the course of the harvests as a function of the variation in rainfall and temperature. It is hoped that the results obtained in this project will help to understand the impact of adopting regenerative agriculture practices on improving soil health in subtropical agro-ecosystems, as well as identifying the relationship between the soil health index (obtained using different scales) and the increased yield and productive stability of agricultural crops, especially in climatically challenging years.