Impact of soil tillage on the greenhouse gas emissions balance in intensified agricultural systems

• Grant number: 25/06670-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: October 01, 2025
• End date: February 28, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Soil Science
• Principal Investigator: Carlos Eduardo Pellegrino Cerri
• Grantee: Laura Coltro Estella
• Host Institution: CENTRO ESTUDOS CARBONO AGRICULTURA TROPICAL/USP

Abstract

Agricultural intensification has been one of the main drivers of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, directly impacting the soil carbon balance. Given the need to mitigate the environmental impacts of agriculture and promote the sustainability of production systems, this study aims to evaluate the effect of different levels of agricultural intensification with biodiversity on the carbon balance. The study will be conducted in the Itiquira region, Mato Grosso, across three production systems characterized by a biodiversity gradient: monoculture, crop rotation, and biodiversity with cover crops. The methodology involves monitoring CO¿, CH¿, and N¿O emissions, quantifying soil carbon sequestration, and analyzing emission factors associated with the adopted management practices. Additionally, different soil preparation strategies and fertilization techniques will be assessed over an experimental period of approximately 60 days. The expected outcomes include understanding the interactions between biodiversity and soil carbon balance, contributing to the development of agricultural strategies that reconcile productivity with climate change mitigation. The research aligns with Brazil's emission reduction targets in the agricultural sector, as established in the international commitment of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), and provides support for the development of sustainable practices in tropical agriculture.