Soil Biology

Soil Fertiltiy

Soil Chemistry

Soil Physics

Landscape Relationships

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Soil Research Programs

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Soil science is highly diverse. It covers all aspects of the structure and function of the surface few meters of terrestrial ecosystems. Soil science also interfaces with many other scientific disciplines. At Oregon State University, we have chosen to concentrate on five disciplinary areas within soil science:

Soil Biology.

Research in soil biology is centered on the organisms that inhabit the soil, the processes they mediate, and how these organisms and processes are influenced by the soil environment. Soil biology is an important part of current issues such as sustainability of terrestrial ecosystems, soil quality, biodiversity, biodegradation, waste management, and climate change; as well as more traditional issues of nutrient cycling and plant-microbe interactions. Peter Bottomley studies soil microbial ecology, the Rhizobium-legume symbiosis, and xenobiotic degradation. Richard Dick works on soil enzymes, microbial diversity, soil quality and C sequestration. David Myrold studies nitrogen cycling, the use of stable isotopes in soil science, and the Frankia-actinorhizal plant symbioses. Jennifer Parke studies plant-soil microbe interactions and the ecology of soilborne diseases.

In October, 1999 we established a Microbial Observatory at the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest with the support of a grant from the National Science Foundation.

Soil Chemistry.

Research in soil chemistry focuses on the chemical composition of soils and the chemical reactions that take place at soil surfaces and within the soil solution. Soil chemistry is important for understanding the formation of soils, the fate and reactivity of organic and inorganic pollutants, and availability of plant nutrients, all of which are relevant to current issues of water quality and climate change. John Baham studies the redox reactions of hydric soils, the chemistry of soil formation, and phosphorus availability. Van Volk is interested in using plants as phytoaccumulators of metals, such as nickel, and their application in biomining.

Soil Fertility.

Research in soil fertility concentrates on the ability of soils to provide adequate amounts of essential nutrients to plants and environmentally sound management of fertilizers. Research ranges from very basic to applied in nature, and has application to both agronomic production and environmental quality. Neil Christensen studies interactions between soil fertility and plant pathology, plant nutrition, and nitrogen nutrition of crops. John Hart is an extension specialist who optimizes fertilizer recommendations and studies the fertilizer requirements of a diverse array of crops, such as cranberries, mint, and sweet corn. Dan Sullivan does research on environmentally sound utilization of wastes as soil amendments and sources of plant nutrients.

Soil Landscape Relationships.

Research on soil landscape relationships includes the study of pedogenic processes, the description and mapping of soils, and the application of soils information. Understanding soil formation and applying soils information is vital to current issues such as land use, wetlands delineation, water quality, and regional- to global-scale models of biogeochemical processes. Jay Noller studies soil across landscapes and through time to constrain regional and global scale evolutionary pathways of ecosystems. Herb Huddleston is an extension specialist who studies hydric soils and use of soils information in GIS applications.

Implications of Long-Term Land Use and Land Cover Change on Cyprus: A Holocene History of Soil Erosion and Conservation

Soil Physics.

Research on soil physics emphasizes the physical properties of soil and the transport of energy, water, solutes, and gases. Soil physics is important to proper soil and agronomic management, related to issues of tillage, erosion, irrigation, and drainage; it also plays a central role in environmental problems, such as water quality and climate change. Larry Boersma does research on plant-water relations, water transport, and modeling soil physical processes. Rich Roseberg is located at Medford and studies water use. Benno Warkentin does research on groundwater quality. Don Wysocki is located at Pendleton and studies soil management in dryland wheat systems. Maria Dragila does research in water transport, preferential flow and pore scale processes.

Soils Faculty