Cover Crop and Tillage Effects on Soil Health in Continuous Wheat Systems.

Wheat is continuously produced for grain and grazing in the Southern Great Plains, which can degrade soil quality and nutrient status. Conservation practices coupled with cover crops can improve soil health and sustain continuous wheat systems. Cover crops have shown increased nutrient use efficiency and soil microbial diversity. However precise data on microbial diversity and nutrient cycling is lacking. This study seeks to evaluate and quantify the impact of cover crops and no-till in continuous wheat systems on soil microbial diversity and nutrient cycling in the Texas Rolling Plains. The study was randomized complete block design with four treatments replicated four times. The treatments were conventional till wheat without a cover crop; no-till wheat without a cover crop; no-till wheat with a terminated summer cover crop and no-till wheat with a grazed summer cover crop. Phospholipid Fatty Acid (PFLA) soil microbial community analysis method and the Haney Soil Health Assessment were used. Soil samples where pulled 0-7.5 cm deep next to the plants and near the rooting structures. Total living microbial mass was higher for NT treatments compared to CT. Microbial activity and organic carbon was higher in NT treatments than CT. There was no clear distinction due to cover crops or grazing. Conservation practices are manifesting a healthier ecosystem.

Key words

Soil microbial diversity, Cover crops, dual purpose wheat