Continuous land disturbance could negatively impact microbial community, but perennial crops can potentially reverse this negativity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of Kernza (Thinopyrum intermedium) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) on soil microbial structure and stress condition using the phospholipid fatty acid profiling. The study was conducted at the Ross Jones Research Farm, University of Missouri and consisted of four treatments: Kernza fertilized, Kernza unfertilized, Kernza and alfalfa intercrop, and alfalfa monocrop with four replications. Treatments were established in September 2021 on 18.3 m × 18.3 m plots. Soils from 0‐ to 5‐cm and 5‐ to 15‐cm depths were sampled in September 2021 (before treatments were placed) and 2022 and analyzed for microbial communities. All microbial communities increased after 1 year with the perennial crops. Since differences were not significant among treatments in 2022, this may lead to positive impacts of perennial crops on microbial communities, irrespective of the crop species and management. Moreover, community structure modifications were also observed with the perennial crops, irrespective of the species and management, as evidenced with changes in bacterial community indices in 2022. While fungi/bacteria ratio increased, Gram‐positive/Gram‐negative bacteria ratio decreased in 2022, suggesting a reduction in microbial stress, which can be attributed to ecological functions of the perennial crops. The study showed improvements in soil microbial biomass and modifications in microbial community structure after 1 year of Kernza and alfalfa. As the system matures, relative benefits of management (fertilization and intercropping) and plant species may be realized.

Soil microbial communities have numerous soil ecological and physiological functions. However, knowledge is lacking on the interaction effects of no‐till and cover crops (CC) practices on these soil health indicators. This study evaluated the effects of CC and tillage on soil microbial communities in a corn ( Zea mays L.) system. The study was conducted for 2 consecutive years on plots allotted to three practices: (1) no‐till and cover crop (NC), (2) conventional till and no cover crop (CN), and (3) no‐till no cover crop (NN). A grass strip (G) was used as a reference, assuming it was subjected to the least disturbance. Surface (0–5 cm and 5–10 cm) soils were sampled over 2 years in April and October. Soil microbial biomass was measured using phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis. Seasonal variations indicated greater microbial biomass in fall than in spring. The G and NC significantly increased soil microbial biomass at both depths compared to CN and NN during fall 2021 sampling and numerically in fall 2020, where greater changes were observed at 0‐ to 5‐cm depth. In fall 2021 sampling, NC practices had 65%–75% more total microbial biomass than CN and NN at both depths ( p < 0.001), with total bacterial biomass 70% greater ( p < 0.002) and total fungal biomass 75%–85% greater ( p < 0.007). NC also showed 85% more actinomycetes biomass than CN at 5‐ to 10‐cm depth ( p < 0.05). The study concluded that soil microbial communities significantly improved after two CC seasons, with higher microbial biomass in fall compared to spring.

Agricultural practices often contribute to the transport of solutes into groundwater; thus, low‐cost strategies that extract nutrients from groundwater are essential to address water pollution. This study evaluated the effects of agroforestry (tree + grass; AB [cottonwood {Populus deltoides Bortr. ex Marsh.}]) and grass buffers (GB; [tall fescue Schedonorus phoenix (Scop.) Holub, Red clover {Trifolium pretense L.}, and Lespedeza {Lespedeza Michx}]) on groundwater nitrogen (N) concentrations. The experiment consisted of two grazing watersheds, one with an AB and another with a GB treatment. Buffers were not grazed since 2001. Three wells representing summit, backslope, and foot‐slope positions were installed at each watershed. Water samples were collected biweekly from November 2019 to January 2022 and analyzed for total nitrogen (TN) and dissolved N (DN). Dissolved nitrogen (DN) and TN concentrations after the AB in the foot‐slope well were 99% (5.36–0.06 mg L⁻¹) and 85% (9.04–1.37 mg L⁻¹) lower than the mean concentration of the summit and backslope wells. Similarly, DN and TN concentrations after the GB in the foot‐slope well were 94% (1.95–0.11 mg L⁻¹) and 62% (2.86–1.07 mg L⁻¹), lower than the mean concentration of the summit and backslope wells. Dissolved N concentrations were lower during warm periods probably due to plant uptake and denitrification in the buffer zone. Results showed that buffers, especially with deep‐rooted trees in the proximity of the water table, decreased TN and DN concentrations in groundwater and can be used as a conservation practice to address water pollution.