Decade‐long cereal rye cover cropping improved soil carbon and physical properties of a poorly structured silt loam

Integrating cover crops into conventional cropping systems can improve soil health, but field management, soil type, and climate can limit the rate of improvements. This study evaluated the effects of cereal rye ( Secale cereale ) cover crops on soil organic carbon (SOC) content and physical properties in a no‐till, corn–soybean rotation on a poorly structured silt loam in southeastern Indiana. An earlier assessment of this trial found cover crops had increased aggregate stability after just 4 years but had no significant effect on bulk density (BD), water dynamics, or SOC. Revisiting this trial after an additional 6 years, we observed significant improvements across multiple soil health indicators. Cover crops increased SOC by 7.5% and total nitrogen by 12.9%, alongside improvements in BD (−2.9%) and water holding capacity (+8.6%). Aeration porosity was significantly enhanced (+7.7% at 0–10 cm, +9.0% at 10–20 cm, and +30.1% at 20–40 cm), indicating potential improvements in water infiltration. Aggregate stability remained a strong indicator of cover crop benefits, higher by 33% in the top 10 cm and by 35% at 10–20 cm as compared to no cover plots. These results align with findings from similar long‐term trials and underscore how aggregate stability may be a valuable early predictor of broader improvements. Our findings support cereal rye as an effective strategy to enhance soil health and resilience in Midwestern no‐till corn‐soybean systems.