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 in agronomic systems through practices such as cover crops, double and intermediate crops, crop rotations, and perennial ground covers (appointment: 75% Extension, 25% research).   

Outreach Focus

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

Research Focus

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

Research Questions
  • Regional adaptation of cover crop species and varieties in the Southern US (Southern Cover Crop Variety Trial Lead)
  • Long term impacts of cover crops, crop rotations, and poultry litter applications in no-till systems
  • Regional adaptation and economic/ecological potential of winter oilseed crops (camelina, canola, flax, pennycress, etc.) for sustainable aviation fuel production in Tennessee
  • Regional adaptation and identification of top-performing corn hybrids and soybean varieties for Tennessee (TN Official Variety Trial Lead)
  • Impact of living mulch on nutrient uptake and pollinator habitat in organic corn systems
Picture of Virginia Roseanna Sykes
374 Agriculture and Natural Resource
2431 Joe Johnson Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996
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
Lab Members
Andrew Lawson
Bailey Burns
Isaac Mirahki

Virginia Roseanna Sykes

Associate Professor | Plant Sciences
Picture of Virginia Roseanna Sykes image
374 Agriculture and Natural Resource
2431 Joe Johnson Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996
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 in agronomic systems through practices such as cover crops, double and intermediate crops, crop rotations, and perennial ground covers (appointment: 75% Extension, 25% research).   

Outreach Focus

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

Research Focus

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

Research Questions
  • Regional adaptation of cover crop species and varieties in the Southern US (Southern Cover Crop Variety Trial Lead)
  • Long term impacts of cover crops, crop rotations, and poultry litter applications in no-till systems
  • Regional adaptation and economic/ecological potential of winter oilseed crops (camelina, canola, flax, pennycress, etc.) for sustainable aviation fuel production in Tennessee
  • Regional adaptation and identification of top-performing corn hybrids and soybean varieties for Tennessee (TN Official Variety Trial Lead)
  • Impact of living mulch on nutrient uptake and pollinator habitat in organic corn systems
Lab Members
Andrew Lawson
Bailey Burns
Isaac Mirahki