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This study investigated the effect of 1 year of cover crop termination strategy and poultry litter application method on soil chemical properties, including electrical conductivity (EC) and Mehlich-3 extractable nutrients in relation to soil chemical properties of perennial management systems. Soil samples were collected from three perennially managed locations and from an organic cropping system where an okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) cover crop was terminated by roller crimper, disk, or hay mower followed by poultry litter application treatments including top-dress unincorporated, top-dress incorporated, subsurface applied, or no poultry litter. A significant interaction between treatment and time was observed for EC, K, Mg, and S across treatments. Soil EC was greater under annual management treatments than perennial systems until the end of year 1, and Mehlich-3 extractable K and S averaged over all termination and poultry litter application treatments increased in the fall but were not different from the values observed under perennial management after 1 year. Mehlich-3 extractable Mg averaged over all termination and poultry litter application treatments were not different in the fall and were less than concentrations measured under perennial management in the first spring following the winter crop. These results are informative for understanding how nutrient availability may be affected by management in the first year after adding poultry litter and utilizing different termination methods following a cover crop in a summer rotation in the Mid-Southern U.S. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]