Sustainable soil management practices provide additional benefit for energy use efficiency

In light of recent fluctuations in energy prices, there has been a growing emphasis on energy efficiency within the agricultural sector. At the same time, ongoing soil degradation in intensive agricultural systems reinforced the need for soil health improving agricultural practices. This study combines the two aspects and examines the effects of sustainable soil management practices on total energy consumption, specifically focusing on fertilizer and pesticide energies, as well as economic indicators such as contribution margins. Using Germany as a case study, we assess three general soil improving management practices: diversified crop rotations, organic fertilizers (green or liquid manure) instead of mineral fertilizers, and no-till/reduced till systems instead of ploughing. Drawing on data from the Kuratorium für Technik und Bauwesen in der Landwirtschaft e.V. (KTBL) (Board of Trustees for Technology and Construction in Agriculture) database for German agricultural planning, we consider variations in yield potentials, soil types, and farming systems. Our results reveal that using mineral fertilizers and shifting to more diverse crop rotations can reduce energy consumption by approximately 21,000 MJ/ha on average (7 % of total energy) over a 6-year rotation. Likewise, adopting no-till systems instead of ploughing decreases energy use by 12,000 MJ/ha (5 % of total energy). Economically, organic farming offers a €4000/ha higher contribution margin compared to conventional methods in fertilization and tillage. These sustainable practices improve soil health, conserve energy, and enhance economic viability. With fluctuating energy prices, organic farming could become more economically attractive and accelerate its adoption across agricultural landscapes.