DOI: 10.5061/dryad.v9s4mw787
title: Data from: Impacts of rotation, tillage, cover cropping, and drainage on soil health in soybean-based cropping systems: Evidence from 4–50-year trials across the US

description: Recent studies highlight conservation management practices as an effective
 strategy to enhance soil health. However, results vary, particularly
 regarding which soil health parameters respond most sensitively to these
 practices. More studies covering a wide range of soil types and climatic
 conditions are needed to assist farmers in making management decisions on
 production practices related to soil health. In this study, we collected
 soil samples (0-15 cm) from 21 (4–50 years) soybean [Glycine max (L.)
 Merr.]-based cropping systems trials across the United States (US) to
 assess the impact of management practices on soil health indicators. Soil
 indicators included wet aggregate stability (WAS), permanganate oxidizable
 carbon (POXC), organic matter loss-on-ignition (OM-LOI), mineralizable
 carbon (Min-C), water extractable organic carbon (WEOC), total organic
 carbon (TOC), soil extractable protein (ACE-N), total nitrogen (TN), pH,
 soil test phosphorus (STP), and soil test potassium (STK). Our objectives
 were: (i) to assess the effects of crop rotation, tillage, cover cropping,
 and artificial drainage on soil health; (ii) to inform soybean farmers
 about the management practices that are associated with improvements on
 soil health; and (iii) to develop and share a unique and open soil health
 dataset with the research community for future global meta-studies. To
 assess the effects of management practices on soil health indicators, both
 meta-analysis approach and linear mixed-effect models were used. Two-crop
 rotations were associated with greater STP values compared to a
 single-crop. The inclusion of cover crops was associated with greater
 Min-C and WEOC compared to no cover crops. No-tillage showed more acidic
 pH than conventional tillage. The remaining soil health indicators tested
 did not change in response to the management practices assessed. There
 were no statistically significant differences in observed soil tests
 between tile-drained and undrained treatments. Overall results suggest
 that cover crops can play an important role in building soil health in
 soybean-based cropping systems. Our open-access dataset provides a
 valuable resource for future research and meta-studies, ultimately
 contributing to the development of more effective management strategies
 for promoting more sustainable soybean cropping systems.
description: # Data from: Impacts of rotation, tillage, cover cropping, and drainage on
 soil health in soybean-based cropping systems: Evidence from 4–50-year
 trials across the US Dataset DOI:
 [10.5061/dryad.v9s4mw787](10.5061/dryad.v9s4mw787) ## Description of the
 data and file structure This study used soil samples (0–15 cm depth)
 collected in 2023 from 625 plots across 21 soybean [*Glycine max* (L.)
 Merr.]-based cropping systems trials across the United States. The aim of
 this study was to investigate whether management practices (crop rotation,
 cover crops, tillage, and artificial drainage) are associated with changes
 in recommended soil health indicators. ### Files and variables #### File:
 SeveroSilvaEtal_EGEE_Dryad.xlsx **Description:** This dataset contains two
 tabs within a single Excel file. ##### Variables * **readme**: Provides
 descriptions of all variables in the dataset. * **data**: Contains
 plot-level information on agronomic management field histories, soil
 biological, physical, and chemical measurements from the 21 field trials
 used in this study. ## Code/software Microsoft Excel or another
 spreadsheet software is needed to view this data. ## Access information
 Data was derived from the following sources: * Generated data in a
 laboratory * Web Soil Survey