The impact of regenerative agriculture on the quality and yield of major Mediterranean horticultural crops: Brassicaceae and Solanaceae

Abstract

Regenerative agriculture aims to restore soil health through practices such as organic amendments, mulching, cover cropping, crop rotation, and reduced tillage. These methods help mitigate erosion, enhance soil fertility, and support microbial communities beneficial for plant growth and biochemical composition. Previous reviews have assessed the effects of regenerative practices on soil fertility and, to a lesser extent, crop productivity but a comprehensive review is still lacking regarding their influence on yield, nutrient composition and sensory attributes of Solanaceae and Brassicaceae products, two of the most important horticultural crop families in the Mediterranean basin. This review seeks to fill that gap by addressing the following question: <em>How do regenerative practices in open-field Mediterranean basin horticultural systems affect the yield, sensory traits, and bioactive compounds in Brassicaceae and Solanaceae crops?</em> A narrative review was conducted through a structured search of PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science (2014–2025), selecting peer-reviewed studies evaluating the effects of regenerative agriculture practices on yield and nutritional or sensory quality of Brassicaceae and Solanaceae crops under Mediterranean conditions. Our findings indicate that the application of organic amendments, mulching and cover cropping are the most effective strategies for boosting productivity and enhancing nutritional and sensory quality, especially in tomato. In contrast, evidence for the specific effects of crop rotation and reduced tillage remains limited. The review highlights promising outcomes of regenerative agriculture in the Mediterranean basin, while emphasizing the need for further research and digital integration to overcome local practical limitations.