Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 3 — Observational / field trialPeer-reviewed

Evaluating the sustainability of tillage and cover crop management practices in regenerative organic agriculture using life cycle assessment-based emergy analysis

Qiliang Huang; Yingting Gong; Ratih Kemala Dewi; Peiran Li; Xiaolong Wang; Rahmatullah Hashimi; Masakazu Komatsuzaki

Agricultural Systems · 2025

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Summary

This research evaluates the sustainability credentials of tillage and cover crop management practices within regenerative organic agriculture through integrated life cycle assessment and emergy analysis. The combined methodological approach provides insight into both conventional environmental impact categories and energy-based ecosystem service valuation. The findings contribute to evidence-based guidance on which soil management practices optimise both environmental and resource efficiency in regenerative farming systems.

UK applicability

The methodological framework is directly applicable to UK regenerative and organic farming systems, though specific results may vary with UK soil types, climate and growing conditions. The research may inform UK policy on sustainable farming subsidies and agro-ecological practice recommendations.

Key measures

Life cycle assessment indicators (likely: global warming potential, eutrophication potential, land use); emergy analysis (solar emjoules, transformity); resource inputs and outputs

Outcomes reported

The study evaluated the environmental sustainability of different tillage and cover crop management strategies using combined life cycle assessment and emergy analysis methods. It likely assessed resource use efficiency, environmental impact, and energy flows across regenerative organic farming systems.

Theme
Farming systems, soils & land use
Subject
Sustainability assessment of soil conservation and organic management practices
Study type
Research
Study design
Field trial with life cycle assessment and emergy analysis
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
International
System type
Arable cereals
DOI
10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104414
Catalogue ID
NRmo3d4gae-08k

Topic tags

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