Agrosilvopastoral systems under regenerative agriculture: Impacts on soil physical quality and yields

The benefits of integrated systems for improving and maintaining soil quality have been published in many studies worldwide. A soil physical quality index (SPQI) represents the performance of soil physical functionality for the sustainability of crops and the environment, being important for soil health. However, ideal weather conditions can mask deficiencies and lead to mistaken conclusions if all of the physical functions of the soil are not evaluated. This study evaluated the SPQI and wood and animal yield to identify the best strategy for livestock and forestry integration through regenerative agriculture. Soil samples were collected in 2018 from three layers (0–0.05, 0.05–0.10, and 0.10–0.20 m) of four systems (Livestock - L; Forestry - F; Livestock-Forestry – LF; Crop-Livestock-Forestry - CLF) established in a completely randomized block design. Four functions with three indicators were analyzed. Function i soil capacity to support root growth is represented by degree of compactness (DC), penetration resistance (PR), and visual evaluation of soil structure (VESS); function ii soil water storage capacity is assessed by available water content (AWC), water-filled pore space (WFPS), and soil water storage capacity (SWCS); function iii aeration capacity is quantified as macroporosity (MAC), soil aeration capacity (SAC), and relative gas diffusivity (Ds/D0); and function iv capacity to resist soil erosion and physical degradation is related to soil saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks), weighted mean diameter (WMD), and soil organic carbon (SOC). Aeration capacity was the soil function most affected by the four farming systems examined, followed by soil water storage capacity, with the systems differing significantly (p < 0.05). Forestry had the highest SPQI (0.90); the corresponding values of both L (0.79) and LF (0.81) were greater than CLF (0.75). Wood and animal yield were similar in all four systems. In conclusion, the regenerative systems tested all evidenced high soil physical qualities, and all of them were considered to be feasible. Both livestock and livestock-forestry provided conditions for reducing environmental degradation and enhancing food security under adequate management practices. • Regenerative agriculture in integrated systems contribute to soil physical quality. • Integrated systems have similar yield, independently of adopted strategy for wood and beef production. • soil conservation practices strongly contribute to regenerative agriculture.