The potential of agroforestry as regenerative agriculture: Evaluation of soil health by soil chemical and biochemical parameters

Agroforestry represents a promising regenerative strategy for restoring soil health in intensively managed agricultural landscapes. This study evaluated the chemical and biochemical properties of soils under four contrasting land-use systems—arable, agroforestry, polycyclic forestry, and border trees—at two depths (0–15 cm and 15–30 cm) in the San Bonifacio farm (Verona, Italy). The objective was to assess how management intensity and vegetation structure influence soil fertility indicators and enzymatic activity related to key biogeochemical cycles. Comprehensive chemical analyses (pH, EC, total C and N, C/N ratio, and macro-nutrients Ca, Mg, Na, K, P) were combined with assays of soil enzymes involved in carbon (β-glucosidase, cellulase), nitrogen (urease, protease), phosphorus (phosphodiesterase), sulfur (arylsulfatase), and oxidative (peroxidase) metabolism. Two-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests were used to determine the influence of land use, depth, and their interaction. Results demonstrated that land use was the dominant factor affecting soil properties and biological activity. Agroforestry and polycyclic systems showed higher organic carbon, nitrogen, and base cation contents compared to arable soils, confirming the positive influence of perennial vegetation on nutrient recycling and carbon sequestration. Phosphorus and potassium were elevated in arable soils, reflecting fertilizer accumulation and potential environmental risks. Among enzymes, urease and protease were significantly enhanced by land use and depth, indicating strong nitrogen turnover under cultivation, whereas peroxidase and arylsulfatase were maximized in diversified systems, reflecting active oxidative and sulfur cycling. Overall, the combination of higher organic matter, balanced nutrient levels, and enhanced enzyme activities in tree-based systems underscores their capacity to regenerate degraded soils. The findings provide quantitative evidence that agroforestry enhances both the chemical fertility and biological functionality of soils, positioning it as a practical model for sustainable land management in temperate agroecosystems.