Unveiling soil multifunctionality through cover cropping practices in agroecosystems

• Grant number: 25/18253-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: October 01, 2025
• End date: July 31, 2029
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Soil Science
• Principal Investigator: Maurício Roberto Cherubin
• Grantee: Viviana Meneghini
• 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 increasing frequency of extreme climate events threatens agricultural production and food security. Climate adaptation management solutions that enhance soil health are key strategies to ensure production stability and improve the resilience of agricultural systems. Among the main management strategies in agriculture, the intensification and diversification of production systems stands out, preferentially including cover crops. Connecting available knowledge on cover crop species and biomass to Brazil's soil and climate realities can be a strategy for optimizing their use in production systems and maximizing ecological, agricultural, and economic benefits. Furthermore, understanding how management practices affect soil health in tropical climates still requires further research to understand how to address climate change and ensure the production stability and resilience necessary to maintain global food security. The purpose of this project is assess the impact of regenerative versus conventional management practices on soil health indicators (chemical, physical, and biological), soil carbon stocks, and elucidate the mechanisms linking these effects to agricultural crop yield and ecosystem resilience, with three work packages (WPs). Initially, in WP1, key outputs will include a comprehensive synthesis of existing studies, highlighting the correlations between cover crop species, biomass accumulation, and regional environmental conditions. Furthermore, the review will quantify the impact of cover crops on commercial crop productivity, providing a scientific basis for optimizing their use in different agroecosystems. In WP2, results will focus on collecting comparative data from farmer-led field trials using regenerative agriculture practices. Sample collection, laboratory and data analysis, and data interpretation will be conducted. Key outputs will include comparisons between regenerative agriculture practices and conventional systems, and the effect of cover crops on soil carbon stocks. These efforts will culminate in comprehensive understanding on cover crop benchmarking, identifying the most effective species and practices for improving soil health and SOC stocks. Furthermore, we hope to correlate in WP3, soil health with crop productivity and temporal stability, dedicated to scientifically testing and validating the effects of regenerative practices used by farmers. Collectivelly, the three WPs will allow us to understand the impact of cover crops, as one of most promising regenerative agriculture pratices, on soil health, crop yields and also, climate resilience. We expect to provide valuable insigths for farmers, researcher and also policy makers to promote cover cropping across the country.