Effect of Multispecies Cover Crop Mixture on Soil Properties and Crop Yield

Multispecies cover cropping has become popular in recent years because of the multiple ecosystem benefits compared with single- or double- species cover cropping. However, scientific studies on the effects of multispecies cover cropping-especially in the southern United States- are limited. A field study was initiated in 2013 at the University of Tennessee's Research and Education Center in Milan, TN, to assess the agronomic and soil responses from single-, double-, and multispecies cover cropping in corn (Zea mays L.)-soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] systems. After 3 yr, we found that a multispecies mixture of legumes, grasses, and Brassica spp. significantly increased soybean yield, gravimetric soil water content, and soil inorganic nitrogen as compared to the less-diverse treatments and a no-cover control. However, after 3 yr, cover cropping did not increase soil organic carbon. Although multispecies cover cropping exhibited a positive effect on yield and some soil properties after 3 yr, we plan to continue collecting multiple years of data from this field trial.