2026-10-14T20:22:12Z https://api.figshare.com/v2/oai

oai:figshare.com:article/33951295 2026-09-21T15:31:17Z category_30563 portal_1059 item_type_3 month_year_09_2026

Data from: Cover crop composition, not diversity, drives agroecosystem multifunctionality and wheat yield Bronte M. Sone (24539544) Laurel Lynch (12478821) Ernest Osburn (25081720) Jane Lucas (2822975) Michael Strickland (781823) Agricultural, veterinary and food sciences Microbial ecology Biogeochemistry Plant-microbial interactions Agricultural soil science Earth and related environmental sciences <p>Ecological concepts derived from perennial grasslands suggest multi-species cover crop mixtures maximize ecosystem function. However, legacy effects of diverse cover crops on agricultural soil properties, microorganisms, and crop yields remain unclear. To address this knowledge gap, we planted six species of cover crops individually, in functional group combinations (representing oilseeds, grasses, or legumes), or with all species combined (high diversity treatment). We then investigated how cover crop treatment affected winter wheat yield, soil biogeochemical properties, microbial community composition, and ecosystem multifunctionality. Contrary to our expectations, the high diversity treatment reduced wheat yield and minimally affected soil properties relative to the fallow control. We observed the greatest positive impact on agroecosystem multifunctionality and wheat yield in the oilseed + legume treatment. Soil pH was mediated by cover crop treatment and identified as the key factor influencing bacterial diversity and composition, while active microbial biomass during the preceding cover crop was the best predictor of subsequent winter wheat yield.</p> 2026-09-04T00:00:00Z Dataset Dataset 10.5061/dryad.pvmcvdp2f https://figshare.com/articles/dataset/Data_from_Cover_crop_composition_not_diversity_drives_agroecosystem_multifunctionality_and_wheat_yield/33951295 CC0