Additionality of Regenerative Practices on Soil Enzymatic Activity and Nutrient Cycling in Consolidated No-Tillage Systems

Conservation management systems, such as no-tillage, significantly alter soil physical, chemical and biological attributes. However, the additionality of regenerative practices within consolidated no-tillage systems remains understudied. This study evaluated the influence of traditional conservation versus regenerative management on soil organic carbon (C) and microbial functional indicators.

The experiment was conducted in Clevelândia, PR, Brazil using a 2 × 3 factorial design: two managements (traditional vs. regenerative transition for six years) and three depths (0-10, 10-20, and 20-30 cm). Regenerative management prioritized crop diversification (canola, maize, soybean, wheat and cover crop mixtures), while traditional management utilized a soybean–wheat succession. Parameters included soil organic carbon (SOC), pH, sulfur, and the activities of β-glucosidase (BG) and arylsulfatase (ARY) normalized by carbon content (BG/C and ARY/C).

BG/C was significantly influenced by depth (p<0.001), with the highest values in the surface layer. Regenerative management exhibited higher BG/C specifically at 0-10 cm (p=0.042), suggesting enhanced carbon cycling intensity. Conversely, ARY/C showed a significant management vs depth interaction (p=0.0019). Traditional management had higher activity at 0-10 cm, whereas regenerative management excelled at 20-30 cm, indicating a vertical redistribution of sulfur cycling.

In conclusion, regenerative management modifies the intensity and vertical distribution of biogeochemical processes. By promoting greater functional efficiency of soil organic matter and deeper nutrient cycling, regenerative practices provide measurable additionality to consolidated conservation systems.