Agricultura regenerativa: estudo de caso em lavoura comercial de soja no município de Rosário do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul

Abstract

Considering the growing demand for food production, and the degradation of soils due to intensive exploration, regenerative agriculture emerges as sustainable alternative, which aims at high productivity, while simultaneously recovering the soil. In this light, the aim of this study is to assess a transition from conventional soybean production (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) to regenerative practices. The case study was carried out in a farm (Granja Nossa Senhora do Rosário), in western Rio Grande do Sul state (Brazil), in the agricultural years of 2019/2020, 2020/2021, and 2021/2022. The following attributes were considered: Soil chemical, physical, and biological characteristics, grain productivity, and economic analysis (cost and yield). The first year of the study showed the greatest evolution regarding chemical fertility of the soil, especially in key nutrients such as P and K, with a mean increase in the assessed areas of 170% and 134%, respectively. Physical attributes did not seem to be influenced by the transition to regenerative practices. Enzyme activity (β-glicosidase e arilsulfatase) show biological attributes had the most evolution on the first year, decreasing the following year, likely due to high temperatures, draught, and the use of herbicides. The studied soy fields were 29% more efficient, than the regional average. Production cost was also lower than the regional average by 10.2% and 35.11% in the studied years. The case study indicates that the transition from traditional to regenerative cultivation practices is viable, sustainable and efficient.