Regenerative agriculture: Influence on soil ecosystems and plant phytochemical composition

Climate change has increasingly impacted soil health due to rising air temperatures and unpredictable rainfall patterns, leading to water scarcity in some areas and flooding in others. These extreme conditions disrupt the ability of soil ecosystems to function effectively. The negative effects are often more pronounced in intensively managed soils that lack robust physical structure and biological diversity. Regenerative organic agriculture offers a promising solution to these challenges. By implementing key practices such as cover cropping, the use of organic fertilizers, and crop rotations, this approach can significantly improve soil health. One of its major benefits is the enhancement of soil organic carbon content, which is closely linked to improved water retention, stronger soil structure, and increased biodiversity. Our global review study [ 1 ] and our experiments in EROC demonstrate that regenerative organic agriculture positively influences a wide range of soil ecosystem services. These include the enrichment of plant nutrients and the production of secondary metabolites, which hold potential value for industries such as cosmetics. In my discussion, the ways by which regenerative organic farming not only restore soil health but also strengthen the capacity of soils to deliver essential ecosystem services are highlighted — services that are crucial for the sustainability and resilience of human societies. Publication History Article published online: 05 March 2026 © 2026. Thieme. All rights reserved. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany