Regenerative Agriculture Research Articles

Modern Approaches to Sustainable Agriculture

The global population is increasing at an alarming rate, presenting a formidable challenge in meeting the escalating demand for food. This concern has garnered the attention of agrarian scientists and policymakers worldwide. The present population's rapid utilization of natural resources raises apprehensions about compromising the entitlement of future generations to access nutritious food and clean air. The multifaceted causes of this challenge can be delineated, with a prominent factor identified as the deficient or suboptimal implementation of innovative approaches and practices for sustainable agriculture. These contemporary strategies encompass climate-smart agriculture (CSA), precision farming, sustainable intensification, biodynamic agriculture, regenerative agriculture, organic farming, agroecology, integrated nutrient management (INM), integrated pest management, conservation agriculture, aquaponics, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and big data analytics. It discusses the potential of these approaches to enhance resource efficiency, optimize yield, minimize environmental impact, and address challenges related to food security and climate change resilience. Empirical evidence supports the assertion that the adoption of these approaches and practices serves as a safeguard for agricultural sustainability.

Climate mitigation potential of cover crops in the United States is regionally concentrated and lower than previous estimates.

Widespread adoption of regenerative agriculture practices is an integral part of the US plan to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. National incentives have particularly increased for the adoption of cover crops (CCs), which have presumably large carbon (C) sequestration potential. However, assessments of national CC climate benefits have not fully considered regional variability, changing C sequestration rates over time, and potential N2O trade-offs. Using the DayCent soil biogeochemical model and current national survey data, we estimate CC climate change mitigation potential to be 39.0 ± 24.1 Mt CO2e year-1, which is 45%-65% lower than previous estimates, with large uncertainty attributed to N2O impacts. Three-fourths of this climate change mitigation potential is concentrated in the North Central, Southern Great Plains and Lower Mississippi regions. Public investment should be focused in these regions to maximize CC climate benefits, but the national contribution of CC to emissions targets may be lower than previously anticipated.

Physicochemical characterization of agricultural soils under a traditional system in the Mezquital Valley, Hidalgo

The study examines alkaline and sodic soils, characterized by a pH exceeding 7.5 and elevated exchangeable sodium, indicative of deficiencies in nitrogen, manganese, iron, zinc, and copper in crops. Its objective is to characterize agricultural soils under traditional and conventional systems using physical and chemical parameters to advocate for regenerative agriculture. Sampling and analysis adhere to Nom-021-RECNAT-2000 standards. Predominantly, the soils exhibit clay loam and sandy loam textures across Tula de Allende, Tezontepec de Aldama, Francisco I. Madero, and San Salvador municipalities. Organic matter percentages vary, classified as very high (Tula de Allende and San Salvador), high (Tezontepec de Aldama, Mixquiahuala de Juárez, and Francisco I. Madero), and low (Santiago de Anaya). The pH ranges from moderately alcaline to highly alkaline. Cation exchange capacity in irrigation zones varies from very high to high, and medium for Tezontepec and Santiago de Anaya, which rely on rainfed irrigation. Elevated nitrate (NO3-), phosphorus (H2PO4-), and potassium (K+) concentrations are noted across different municipalities. These findings prompt reconsideration of traditional tillage practices that exacerbate sodicity in agricultural soil.

Pots to Plots: Microshock Weed Control Is an Effective and Energy Efficient Option in the Field

Seeking low environmental impact alternatives to chemical herbicides that can be integrated into a regenerative agriculture system, we developed and tested flat-plate electrode weeding equipment applying ultra-low-energy electric shocks to seedlings in the field. Better than 90% control was achieved for all species, with energy to treat 5 weeds m−2 equivalent to 15 kJ ha−1 for L. didymum and A. powellii, and 363 kJ ha−1 (leaf contact only) and 555kJ ha−1 (plants pressed to soil) for in-ground L. multiflorum, all well below our 1 MJ ha−1 target and a fraction of the energy required by any other weeding system. We compared applications to the leaves only or to leaves pressed against the soil surface, to seedlings growing outside in the ground and to plants growing in bags filled with the same soil. No previous studies have made such direct comparisons. Our research indicated that greenhouse and in-field results are comparable, other factors remaining constant. The in-ground, outdoor treatments were as effective and efficient as our previously published in-bag, greenhouse trials. The flat-plate system tested supports sustainable farming by providing ultra-low-energy weed control suitable for manual, robotic, or conventional deployment without recourse to tillage or chemical herbicides.

Environmental Degradation: Causes, Effects and Solutions

Environmental degradation is a pressing global issue with far-reaching consequences for ecosystems, human health, and sustainable development. This comprehensive article explores the various causes of environmental degradation, ranging from poverty and urbanization to industrialization, deforestation, pollution, natural disasters, population growth, climate change, unrestricted development, soil damage, energy use, unsustainable agriculture, and landfills. It examines the various effects of environmental degradation, including impacts on human health, biodiversity loss, global warming, ozone layer depletion, atmospheric changes, scarcity of natural resources, loss of the tourism industry, and economic recession. Moreover, the article suggests a wide array of solutions to address environmental degradation, encompassing tree plantation, regenerative farming, spiritual renewal, pollution control, reduced fuel consumption, waste management strategies, water conservation, sustainable initiatives, public awareness campaigns, social movements, government policies and international cooperation through UN initiatives.

Towards Sustainable Agriculture: Integrating Agronomic Practices, Environmental Physiology and Plant Nutrition

Sustainable agriculture aims to meet the growing global demand for food without compromising environmental integrity. This review paper explores the integration of agronomic practices, environmental physiology, and plant nutrition as pathways toward sustainable crop production. Intensive agricultural practices have led to significant problems such as soil degradation, loss of biodiversity, and environmental pollution. Recent advancements in plant physiology have enhanced our understanding of plant growth and response to biotic and abiotic stresses. Optimizing crop production in a sustainable manner depends on insights into key processes like photosynthesis, water use efficiency, and nutrient uptake. This review discusses the role of plant growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPMs) as biofertilizers, providing an alternative to harmful agrochemicals. PGPMs can improve soil health and promote plant growth when applied to soil, seeds, or plant surfaces, reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Additionally, nanotechnology in agriculture is examined, illustrating how nanomaterials (NMs) and nano-based fertilizers can enhance nutrient absorption and increase crop yields. Beyond these scientific approaches, there is an urgent need to implement novel agricultural practices that support sustainability. The world population is growing at a disquieting rate, placing tremendous pressure on natural resources. This threatens future generations' access to nutritious food and clean air. Innovative approaches like climate-smart agriculture, organic farming, biodynamic agriculture, sustainable intensification, and regenerative agriculture, along with practices such as integrated farming systems, precision agriculture, integrated nutrient management, and integrated pest management, have proven to safeguard agricultural sustainability. By integrating these innovative approaches and practices, it is possible to meet the increasing demands for food while preserving the environment.

Regenerative agriculture sequesters carbon—But that’s not the only benefit and shouldn’t be the only goal

Regenerative agriculture sequesters carbon—But that’s not the only benefit and shouldn’t be the only goal

Impact of in-situ green manuring on soil properties and fertility under regenerative farming: A case study of Akshayakalpa farm in Tiptur, India

Impact of in-situ green manuring on soil properties and fertility under regenerative farming: A case study of Akshayakalpa farm in Tiptur, India

Assessment of the Environmental Footprint of Various Food Production Systems

Purpose: This study sought to assess the environmental footprint of various food production systems. Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library. Findings: The findings reveal that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to the environmental footprint of various food production systems. Preliminary empirical review revealed that with a call for transformative changes to mitigate ecological impacts while ensuring food security and human well-being. Through a comprehensive analysis, significant variations in resource use and emissions were highlighted across different production methods. The study emphasized the interconnectedness between dietary choices, agricultural practices, and environmental outcomes, urging policymakers to enact evidence-based policies and agricultural stakeholders to adopt regenerative farming practices. Ultimately, the study served as a call to action for concerted efforts to transition towards a more sustainable and resilient food system, integrating ecological principles, social equity, and economic viability to promote harmony between human activities and the natural environment. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The Systems theory, Ecological Economics and Agroecology models may be used to anchor future studies on the environmental footprint of various food production systems. The study made significant contributions to theory, practice, and policy in the realm of sustainable food production and environmental conservation. It advanced theoretical understanding by advocating for a systems-based approach to assessing environmental impacts and highlighting the importance of considering multiple dimensions of sustainability. In practice, the study recommended the adoption of agroecological approaches and the promotion of sustainable farming practices to mitigate environmental harm. Policy recommendations included the implementation of regulatory interventions and incentives to promote sustainability, while consumer education and international collaboration were emphasized for driving demand for sustainable food products and facilitating knowledge sharing. Lastly, the study underscored the importance of investment in research and innovation to drive continuous improvements in sustainable food production systems.

Exploring the potentialities of industrial hemp for sustainable rural development

This literature review paper explores the potential sustainable applications of industrial hemp, contextualizing it within the UN Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Hemp is a dioecious, herbaceous, anemophilous (wind-pollinated) annual crop that grows from one to five meters in height. However, monoecious varieties have been developed through breeding and selection. Historically versatile, Cannabis sativa L. has faced stigmatization and unfounded prohibitions, having played crucial roles in different civilizations, including during World War I. A member of the Cannabaceae family, it is a versatile non-psychoactive crop, with low concentrations of THC. Recently, the global market for hemp has grown. It is an eco-friendly option in the food, textile, pharmaceutical, and energy sectors. This study is based on bibliographic research covering primary and secondary sources, including technical reports, academic journals, and scientific repositories. The origin, characteristics and cultivation methods of industrial hemp are discussed, besides its practical applications, including the production of fibers, health food grains, medicinal phytocannabinoids, biofuels, sustainable biomass energy, and carbon offsetting. Its potential to contribute to sustainable agriculture and achieve SDG targets stands out, considering environmental benefits, product diversification, resistance, and integration into agroforestry systems. Regenerative agriculture is explored as a promising approach, aligned with the principles of sustainable agriculture and the SDGs, aiming to restore agricultural ecosystems, promote soil health, and improve climate resilience. The research highlights the importance of reforming cannabis-related policies to achieve goals relating to health, justice, and global partnerships, emphasizing the need for sustainable approaches to exploiting this natural resource.

Fifty years of monitoring changes in the abundance of invertebrates in the cereal ecosystem of the Sussex Downs, England

Abstract Changes in insect abundance are receiving much attention, with agricultural intensification considered to be one of the main drivers of decline. We report on changes in invertebrates collected in cereal fields in Sussex, Southern England, UK, from 1970 to 2019. Samples were taken using D‐vac suction sampling in the third week of June from an average of 95 cereal fields per year (4757 samples in total, comprising 2,983,124 individual invertebrates identified mainly to family level). The study area comprises 12 farms, whose land use, crop rotations and intensity of pesticide use were also recorded, showing marked changes over time. Overall invertebrate abundance declined by 37% across all taxa, and by 48% when excluding the most numerous taxa (Collembola, Aphididae and Thysanoptera). Declines in abundance were identified for 47% of 51 non‐overlapping taxa at the order or family level, increases for 16% and no change for 37%. Most declines occurred in the first decade of the study, most increases in the 1990s. Latterly there have been further declines from 2010. As functional groups, mycetophages, phytophages, predators (both aphid‐specific and polyphagous), parasitoids and cophrophages declined significantly, while there was no detectable change in pollinators. Four of five measures of avian chick‐food invertebrate abundance declined significantly, while one (corn bunting chick‐food index) showed no detectable change. A multivariate constrained redundancy analysis revealed that cropping, field size, pesticide use and weather all significantly explained the variation in the abundance of the 51 non‐overlapping taxa. For functional groups, significant explanatory variables were weather and pesticide use. Changes in farming practices and adoption of measures such as integrated pest management, regenerative farming, agri‐environmental scheme options and intercropping could help to mitigate the factors associated with decline.

Development of Regenerative Tea Cultivation Models through Dual Approach of Soil and Plant Health Management towards Crop Sustainability, Soil Quality Development, Pesticide Reduction and Climate Change Mitigation: A Case Study from Lakhipara Tea Estate, Dooars, West Bengal, India (PART-II)

The first part of this research article documents the impact of the studied Regenerative Agriculture models in tea in respect of crop sustainability, pesticide load reduction and reduction of pest management cost. The findings indicated an increase (78 kg/ha) in crop productivity in the project area as against crop loss of 118 kg/ha in the non- project area during the same period. The finding also indicated a 52 to 77% reduction in the accumulated toxicity potential of the applied pesticides, improvement of soil quality indices and a 6.72% increase in the soil organic carbon stock. Most importantly, carbon assessment in terms of kg CO2 equivalent/ kg made tea (using ACFA version 1.0) indicated approximately 65 to 70 % lower footprint in the project area. The lowering of carbon footprint was due to a 20 to 30 % reduction in the chemical fertilizers along with improvement in carbon sequestration potential of the soil due to quality compost application and reduction of herbicides. The study indicated that Inhana Rational Farming (IRF) Technology can serve as an effective tool towards development of resource based Regenerative Agriculture Models that can ensure safe and low carbon tea cultivation without compromising crop yield and without increasing the cost of cultivation.

Impact of regenerative farming practices on soil quality and yield of cotton-sorghum system in semi arid Indian conditions.

Regenerative agricultural practices, i.e. organic and natural farming, are rooted in India since ancient times. However, the high cost of production, lack of organic pest control measures and premium price of organic produces in chemical agriculture encourage natural farming. In the present study, the quality improvement of calcareous soils under organic (OGF) and natural (NTF) management was compared with integrated conventional (ICF) and non-invasive (NIF) farming practices with cotton-sorghum crops over three consecutive years. A total of 23 soil attributes were analyzed at the end of the third cropping cycle and subjected to principal component analysis (PCA) to select a minimum data set (MDS) and obtain a soil quality index (SQI). The attributes soil organic carbon (SOC), available Fe, pH, bulk density (BD) and alkaline phosphatase (APA) were selected as indicators based on correlations and expert opinions on the lime content of the experimental soil. The SQI was improved in the order of OGF (0.89) > NTF(0.69) > ICF(0.48) > NIF(0.05). The contribution of the indicators to SQI was in the order of available Fe (17-44%) > SOC (21-28%), APA (11-36%) > pH (0-22%), and BD (0-20%) regardless of the farming practices. These indicators contribute equally to soil quality under natural (17-22%) and organic (18-22%) farming. The benefit:cost ratio was calculated to show the advantage of natural farming and was in the order of NTF(1.95-2.29), ICF (1.34-1.47), OGF (1.13-1.20) and NIF (0.84-1.47). In overall, the natural farming significantly sustained the soil quality and cost benefit compared to integrated conventional farming practices.

Long-term soil quality and C stock effects of tillage and cover cropping in a conservation agriculture system

Conservation and regenerative agriculture are widely considered as approaches aiming at addressing challenges in relation to climate change and soil quality. In that respect, no tillage (NT) and use of cover crops (CCs) are seen as key elements in achieving the sustainability goals of these approaches, but the long-term individual and interactive effects of these elements remain unknown. We examined the impact of tillage (NT and mouldboard ploughing) combined with a fodder radish CC in continuous cereal cropping. Soil was sampled in the 0–10 and 10–20 cm layer after two decades of treatments in the CENTS experiment at AU Viborg (Denmark) situated on a sandy loam with 9% clay. We assessed soil structural quality, SOC stocks, clay dispersibility (CD), wet stability of aggregates (WSA) and soil pore characteristics. Neither tillage nor cover cropping affected the SOC stock in the 0–20 cm soil layer. No tillage improved CD, WSA and plant available water capacity in 0–10 cm depth as compared to ploughing. The marked improvement in CD and WSA of NT soils could not be explained by SOC per se, but rather positive effects ascribed to absence of disturbance. In contrast, soil porosity, especially in 10–20 cm depth, the fraction of soil volume represented by >30 µm pores and gas diffusivity decreased, and NT soils resulted in a less good soil structural quality. The inclusion of CCs improved soil structural quality and the functionality of the soil macropore system. Hence, CCs have the potential to alleviate negative effects of NT on pore characteristics at macroscale. Furthermore, we found that the positive effects of NT on CD and WSA and of CCs on pore characteristics at macroscale were much more pronounced after long- (20 yrs NT; 13 yrs CC) than after medium-term (10 yrs NT; 5 yrs CC) underlining the value of long-term conservation agriculture experiments.

A practical guide to the discovery of biomolecules with biostimulant activity.

The growing demand for sustainable solutions in agriculture, which are critical for crop productivity and food quality in the face of climate change and the need to reduce agrochemical usage, has brought biostimulants into the spotlight as valuable tools for regenerative agriculture. With their diverse biological activities, biostimulants can contribute to crop growth, nutrient use efficiency, and abiotic stress resilience, as well as to the restoration of soil health. Biomolecules include humic substances, protein lysates, phenolics, and carbohydrates have undergone thorough investigation because of their demonstrated biostimulant activities. Here, we review the process of the discovery and development of extract-based biostimulants, and propose a practical step-by-step pipeline that starts with initial identification of biomolecules, followed by extraction and isolation, determination of bioactivity, identification of active compound(s), elucidation of mechanisms, formulation, and assessment of effectiveness. The different steps generate a roadmap that aims to expedite the transfer of interdisciplinary knowledge from laboratory-scale studies to pilot-scale production in practical scenarios that are aligned with the prevailing regulatory frameworks.

Complementing or co-opting? Applying an integrative framework to assess the transformative capacity of approaches that make use of the term agroecology

The paper discusses the increasing use of the term agroecology in scientific literature and how its meanings vary in different contexts. However, the key issue is not the different understandings of agroecology per se, but whether various interpretations align with its intrinsic systemic and transformative meaning. To address this, the paper presents an integrative framework to assess approaches that use the term agroecology, and distinguish between its enabling and disabling interpretations. The framework is applied to yield- and non-yield-oriented approaches (sustainable intensification, conservation agriculture, organic farming and regenerative farming), revealing concerns of hijacking or co-opting through (1) simplification, (2) false equivalence and (3) confusion. To prevent and/or respond to the – not necessarily intentional - process of neutralization of the transformative potential of agroecology, we propose a combination of accountability and regulatory efforts, education and collaboration to protect the integrity of the term and the principles it represents as well as to ensure its just and transformative contribution for (re-)shaping agri-food systems.

“You can’t manage what you can’t measure”: Regenerative agriculture, farming by numbers, and calculability in soil microbiopolitics

Microbes are increasingly central to visions of sustainable and healthy futures, including in farming movements such as regenerative agriculture. In social science and environmental humanities scholarship, (re)connecting with microbes is seen as a way to challenge, conceptually and practically, the very ontology of human-nature separation which underpins the destruction and violence in human relations with other living beings and with environments. The crux of this onto-ethical potential is a shift towards relational modes of knowing microbes, rooted in localised, proximate, and sensuous practice, and expressed in embodied expertise. This paper engages critically with this promise by calling attention to persistence of calculability to people's self-governance within current microbiopolitics. Through a case study of regenerative agriculture in the United Kingdom, I argue that while embodied expertise of soil microbes is seen as crucial to soil health-oriented farming, it is also dismissed as an insufficient in guiding farmers and shaping future practice, including by farmers themselves. Regenerative agriculture continues to function within “farming by numbers”, an agri-biopolitical regime in which farmers’ and advisors’ subjectivity is that of calculating managers situated in calculable environments. As a result, calculability acts as a ‘break’ on the development of alternative microbial onto-ethics, and regenerative agriculture practitioners look for ways to bring soil microbes into the realm of calculability (e.g., through metagenomics). Consequently, the way microbes are being incorporated into future agri-environmental relations reinforces rather than threatens existing structures of biopolitical power. Overall, I argue that human-microbe research, potentially due to its empirical focus on alternative practices, has underplayed the importance of calculability to people's self-governance in relations with microbes. The struggle for a new microbiopolitics, especially in agriculture and environmental management, will require addressing the continued importance of calculability, and a creative and socially relevant experimentation with alternative forms of expertise.

THE CLUB OF ROMAN AND MODERN NARRATIVES OF KAZAKHSTAN

Roza Muratova E-mail: rose1950@mail.ru Doctor of Economic Sciences, Chief Assistant Prof. PhD Kazakh National University named after Al-Farabi Almaty, Kazakhstan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5382-0024 Mariana Petrova E-mail: m.petrova@ts.uni-vt.bg Doctor of Economic Sciences, professor, St. Cyril and St. Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1531-4312 Dana Baigojaeva E-mail: 020950d@gmail.com ICHR, Novotel Almaty, Kazakhstan https://orcid.org/0009-0008-4607-8299 Abstract: The Club of Rome is an international non-governmental organization that unites world-famous scientists and public figures from different countries. The contribution of the Club of Rome is best known for its report “The Limits to Growth”, which was a turning point in addressing the challenges of sustainable development. In the article we examine the background to the creation of the Club of Rome and the contradictions that arise during the club’s activities. We also provide critical statements about the conspiracy theory of the activities of the Club of Rome. The article proves that conspiracy theories and the activities of the Club of Rome do not have a specific logical connection. In the article, we set the task of reforming the economy, the task of gradually moving away from measuring the level of economics with GDP indicators, as not meeting the tasks of assessing the level of social well-being of the country, since the formation of GDP is based on the world price environment of products and services. The main hypotheses of our research are an attempt to substantiate the transition to an objective measure of the state economy. Our article attempts to analyze a new approach to human economics as an element of the biosystem. The article poses the problems of transition to a regenerative economy and management, and notes therelevance of solving these problems for Kazakhstan, in particular the issues of regenerative agriculture and regenerative urbanism. We also analyzed ideas for implementing the principles of the “donut economy.” The work presents the directions of modern research of the Club of Rome and work, in continuation of “The Limits to Growth” 50 years later. We also noted that the activities of the Club of Rome do not lose their relevance and the solution of global issues of global development are of a local nature for Kazakhstan. The use of the research results is possible in the educational process and in scientific research of the world economy. Keywords: reports to the Club of Rome, global issues, planetary boundaries, regenerative governance and economics, social developmentJEL classification: F47

Sense of Place and Perceived Impacts in the Rural Industrialized Nexus: Insights for Sustainability Pathways

As representative of the water-energy-food nexus, fossil fuel development and industrial agriculture are rural industries that continue to expand and increasingly occur in the same areas. Being a top agricultural export county and the fossil fuel capital of California while ranking among the worst in the US for industrial pollution, Kern County is a poster child of rural nexus development and, thus, an essential place for initiating sustainability transitions. Such transitions rely on policy support and the adoption of methods by individuals and communities who may disagree with such changes. While sense of place and impact perceptions are recognized as playing critical roles in sustainability management, they have yet to be utilized in nexus research. A survey (N = 256) of the perceived impacts of nexus industries with place meaning and place attachment as possible drivers for perceptions was conducted in nexus industry pollution exposure risk zones. Factor analysis and bivariate correlations showed that place meaning and place attachment are drivers for perceptions while also being drivers for concern for changes in nexus industries. While perceptions of impacts indicated contested place meanings, participants strongly perceive the economy and environment as being in decline. To build support for sustainability policy, directing funds from Kern County’s renewable energy industry to local sectors of society, implementation of regenerative agriculture, cooperative management, and nurturing place meaning as aligned with nature’s restorative quality are important paths forward. These nexus management foci could strengthen place attachment, build trust in government, and repair environmental alienation.

Promoting Adoption of Soil Health Related Regenerative Agriculture Practices Amongst Small-Scale Sugarcane Grower Communities in South Africa

Promoting Adoption of Soil Health Related Regenerative Agriculture Practices Amongst Small-Scale Sugarcane Grower Communities in South Africa