Influence of Cover crops on soil microbial dynamics in sweetpotato production systems

This study is being conducted at the Pontotoc Ridge-Flatwoods Branch Experiment Station in Pontotoc, Mississippi, during the 2023 and 2024 growing seasons. The research evaluates how different cover crops and nitrogen fertilizer rates affect nitrogen availability for sweet potato production. Three cover crop treatments (crimson clover, winter wheat, and a no-cover crop control) are combined with three nitrogen rates (0, 50, and 100 pounds per acre) in a randomized split block design with four replications. Nitrogen fertilizer is applied randomly within each cover crop block. Bulk soil samples are collected from a depth of 0 to 15 cm at cover crop termination (2024), sweet potato planting, and harvest (2023 and 2024). The soil at the site is classified as Falkner silt loam (fine silty, siliceous, thermic Aquic Paleudalfs).