Single- versus Double-Species Cover Crop Effects on Soil Health and Yield in Mississippi Soybean Fields

Conservation management practices can improve soil health while minimizing deleterious effects of agriculture on the environment. However, adoption these practices, particularly cover crops, is not widespread, as they often reduce crop yields compared to traditional practices. The purpose current study was determine if a two-species treatment rye (Secale cereale L.) and crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum could increase parameters maximize soybean (Glycine max yield greater than only in tilled no-till Mississippi field soils. Enhanced microbial biomass organic matter input from crops increased activities β-glucosidase, cellobiohydrolase, fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis, N-acetylglucosaminidase, phosphatase surface Rye plus tended elicit higher plots. Both treatments inhibited plots by 11–25%. These results indicate that tillage exacerbates inhibition double-species were more consistent increasing linked nutrient cycling. Further examining different combinations systems necessary gain better understanding how be implemented enhance maximizing yield.