The Soil Management Lab has received a USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Organic Transitions Program grant of nearly $1 million to study double-cropping practices in organic grain and forage systems. The 4-year project will be conducted on certified organic land in Knoxville, Tennessee, and Citra, Florida, in partnership with the University of Florida.
Led by Dr. Sindhu Jagadamma, the research team will test five crop rotation treatments at each site, including full-season soybean and double-cropped soybean systems with corn, rye, wheat, and barley. The study will evaluate how different crop sequences, residue management, and weed control strategies affect yield, nutrient cycling, and soil health. UT team members include Dr. Debasish Saha, Dr. Aaron Smith, and Ethan Parker, while University of Florida collaborators are Dr. Emma Matcham, Dr. Gabriel Maltais-Landry, and Dr. Zane Grabau.
This project aims to provide farmers with practical strategies for increasing organic production in the Southeast while improving soil carbon accumulation and resilience.