Response of soil microbiome to cover crop and sugarcane monoculture

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) yield decline results from long-term monoculture practices. Changes in cropping management (e.g. the use of cover crops) can improve soil health and productivity. Thus, we determined bacterial community diversity and composition across soybean cover crop and sugarcane monoculture. Use of soybean cover-crop fostered bacterial diversity and community structure change. This indicates cover crops could have a restorative effect and potentially promote sustainability in long-term sugarcane monoculture production.