Person

Virginia Roseanna Sykes

Associate Professor | Plant Sciences

Specialization: Agroecology, Variety Testing

Overview

Dr. Sykes has Extension and research responsibility for the University of Tennessee variety testing program and field crop agroecology. Her current work focuses on improving methodology and data delivery in variety evaluation and determining best management practices to optimize economic and environmental benefits of conservation agriculture practices such as cover crops, crop rotations, and inter-cropping.

Outreach Focus

Variety Testing (Soybean, Corn Grain, Corn Silage, Cover Crops, home garden vegetables and flowers), Agroecology (Cover Crops, Crop Rotations, Inter-cropping, Living Mulch)

Research Focus

Agroecology (Cover Crops, Crop Rotations, Inter-cropping, Living Mulch)

Research Questions
  • Cover crop species selection for Tennessee corn/soybean and soybean/corn rotation systems
  • Economic and ecological impact of dual-use forage/cover crop systems in Tennessee
  • Long term impacts of cover crops and crop rotations in no-till systems
  • Long term impacts of poultry litter application and crop rotations in no-till systems
  • Agronomic potential of dual-use winter oilseed cover crops for sustainable jet fuel production in Tennessee
  • Screening cool season annual legumes for regional adaptation as cover crops in Tennessee
Picture of Virginia Roseanna Sykes
112 Plant Biotechnology Building
2505 E J Chapman Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996-4500
Education and Training
  • Doctorate, Plant Sciences, General, Univ of Tennessee Knoxville*, 2014
  • MS, Statistics, General, Univ of Tennessee Knoxville*, 2014
  • MS, Plant Sciences, General, Virginia Polytech Inst & St Un, 2009
  • BS, Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Suppo, Virginia Polytech Inst & St Un, 2006
Responsible Area(s)
  • Agriculture and Natural Resources
Web Presence

Virginia Roseanna Sykes

Associate Professor | Plant Sciences
Picture of Virginia Roseanna Sykes image
112 Plant Biotechnology Building
2505 E J Chapman Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996-4500
Education and Training
  • Doctorate, Plant Sciences, General, Univ of Tennessee Knoxville*, 2014
  • MS, Statistics, General, Univ of Tennessee Knoxville*, 2014
  • MS, Plant Sciences, General, Virginia Polytech Inst & St Un, 2009
  • BS, Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Suppo, Virginia Polytech Inst & St Un, 2006
Responsible Area(s)
  • Agriculture and Natural Resources
Overview

Dr. Sykes has Extension and research responsibility for the University of Tennessee variety testing program and field crop agroecology. Her current work focuses on improving methodology and data delivery in variety evaluation and determining best management practices to optimize economic and environmental benefits of conservation agriculture practices such as cover crops, crop rotations, and inter-cropping.

Outreach Focus

Variety Testing (Soybean, Corn Grain, Corn Silage, Cover Crops, home garden vegetables and flowers), Agroecology (Cover Crops, Crop Rotations, Inter-cropping, Living Mulch)

Research Focus

Agroecology (Cover Crops, Crop Rotations, Inter-cropping, Living Mulch)

Research Questions
  • Cover crop species selection for Tennessee corn/soybean and soybean/corn rotation systems
  • Economic and ecological impact of dual-use forage/cover crop systems in Tennessee
  • Long term impacts of cover crops and crop rotations in no-till systems
  • Long term impacts of poultry litter application and crop rotations in no-till systems
  • Agronomic potential of dual-use winter oilseed cover crops for sustainable jet fuel production in Tennessee
  • Screening cool season annual legumes for regional adaptation as cover crops in Tennessee
Web Presence