Double Cropping in Wheat: The Relative Impacts of Roots and Tillage on Soil Health.

Double cropping can increase farm profit and food availability; however, little is known about the benefits of integrating summer cover crops and double crops into a winter wheat cropping system. Cover crops have been shown to slow soil erosion, increase soil infiltration, suppress weeds, and increase soil organic matter. Double cropping has similar benefits, but with the addition of a potential crop profit. Reduced tillage systems are often recommended as best management practices, and research has shown an increase in soil porosity, aggregation, and organic matter. The relative contribution to soil health of live roots and reduced tillage will be investigated. A randomized complete block design was used at three Texas A&M research stations in Beeville, Lubbock, and Thrall, Texas. Each location is meant to represent different ecoregions in the state. Three different tillage treatments were used: conventional, strip, and no-till.  The three summer double crops were sesame, grain sorghum, and cowpea, and one, nine-species, summer cover crop mix. Soil health was measured using methods such as: soil fertility panels, wet aggregate stability, soil respiration, soil infiltration rate, penetrometer resistance, and soil moisture measurements. Previous research would lead us to hypothesize that the above practices combined have the potential to increase wheat yields, improve soil health, and increase profits for the farmer.