Biogeochemical constraints on climate change mitigation through regenerative farming

This review suggests that most of the management practices associated with regenerative agriculture are not likely to lead to a large net sequestration of organic carbon in soils. Some improved management practices, such as increased fertilizer use, manuring, and applications of biochar, are constrained by biogeochemical stoichiometry and the availability of organic inputs. Other management practices, such as fertilizer applications, irrigation, and applications of ground silicate minerals, entail ancillary and off-site emissions of carbon dioxide that reduce the net sequestration of carbon in soils. Carbon sequestration in agricultural soils, even with best management practices, is only likely to offer a small net storage of carbon that can be marketed as a credit to emissions from other sectors of the economy.

Automated summary

This review suggests that most of the management practices associated with regenerative agriculture are unlikely to result in significant net sequestration of organic carbon in soils. Certain improved practices, such as increased fertilizer use, manuring, and applications of biochar, face limitations due to biogeochemical stoichiometry and the availability of organic inputs. Other practices, such as fertilizer applications, irrigation, and applications of ground silicate minerals, lead to emissions of carbon dioxide that offset the net sequestration of carbon in soils. Even with best management practices, carbon sequestration in agricultural soils is likely to offer only a small net storage that can be traded as carbon credits.