Education
1988 B.S. University of Alaska, Fairbanks
1990 M.S. University of Alaska, Fairbanks
1993 Ph.D. Washington State University
Research
I have a broad-based research and extension program in the area of applied soil fertility. Major nutrients of focus include nitrogen, phosphorus and chloride in dryland cereal and grass seed cropping systems in eastern Washington. I also develop fertilizer recommendations and management guides for dryland and certain irrigated crops. An emerging area of basic research is fertilizer-induced soil acidification and its impacts on crop performance and phosphorus chemistry in the inland Pacific Northwest.
Recent Publications
Hammac, W.A, T.M. Maaz, R.T. Koenig, I.C. Burke, and W.L. Pan. 2017. Water and temperature stresses impact canola (Brassica napus L.) fatty acid, protein, and yield over nitrogen and sulfur. J. Ag. Food Chem. 65:10429-10438. DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.7b02778
Pan, W.L., T. McClellan Maaz, W.A. Hammac, V.A. McCracken, and R.T. Koenig. 2016. Mitscherlich-modeled, semi-arid canola nitrogen requirements influenced by soil nitrogen and water. Agron. J. 108:1-11.
Evans, M.A., D.Z. Skinner, R.T. Koenig, S.H Hulbert, and W.L. Pan. 2015. Effects of phosphorus, potassium, and chloride nutrition on cold tolerance of winter canola (Brassica napus). J. Plant Nutrition. DOI: 10.1080/01904167.2014.990095.
Borelli, K., R. Koenig, I. Burke, R. Gallagher, D. Pittman, A. Snyder and E.P. Fuerst. 2014. Wheat yield and quality following legume and cereal-based cropping systems during the transition to organic production in the dryland region of the inland Pacific Northwest. Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems. doi:10.1017/S1742170514000283
Abi-Ghanem, R., C. Pannkuk, L. Carpenter-Boggs, and R. Koenig. 2013. Access to agricultural inputs, technology and information, communicating with farmers and the role of Women in agriculture: Perceptions of Iraqi Extension Agents. J. International Agricultural Extension Education. 20:6-18.
Borrelli, K., R. Koenig, C. Miles and B. Jaeckel. 2013. Yield of leafy greens in high tunnel winter production in the northwest United States. HortSci. 48:183-188.
Ott-Borrelli, K., R.T. Koenig, R. Gallagher, D. Pittman, A. Snyder, E. P. Fuerst, I.C. Burke and L. Hoagland. 2012. Alternative Strategies for Transitioning to Organic Production in Direct-Seeded Grain Systems in Eastern Washington II: Nitrogen Fertility. J. Sustain. Agr. 36:461-477.
Koenig R.T., C. Cogger, A. Bary. 2011. Dryland winter wheat yield, grain protein and soil nitrogen responses to fertilizer and biosolids applications. Applied and Environmental Soil Science. Vol 2011, #925462, doi:10.1155/2011/925462.
Hammac, W.A., W. Pan, R. Bolton and R.T. Koenig. 2011. High resolution imaging to assess oilseed species’ root hair responses to soil water stress. Plant and Soil 339:125-135.
Neely, H.L., R.T. Koenig, C.A Miles, T.C. Koenig and M. Karlsson. 2010. Diurnal fluctuation in tissue nitrate concentration of field-grown leafy greens at two latitudes. HortScience 45:1815-1818. (Recognized by HortScience as one of ‘Top 10 articles read in December 2010’
Gallagher, R.S., D. Pittman, A. Snyder, R.T. Koenig, E.P. Fuerst, I.C. Burke, and L.A. Hoagland. 2010. Alternative strategies for transitioning to organic production in direct-seeded grain systems in eastern Washington I: Crop agronomy. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture 34:483-503.
Ingle, H., R.T. Koenig and M. Stowe. 2010. Effect of seed-row placement of conventional and polymer-coated urea on winter wheat emergence. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis 41:887-896.
Proctor, C., R.T. Koenig and W. Johnston. 2010. Potential for ammonia volatilization from urea in dryland Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) seed production systems. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis 41:320-331.
Extension
Kaiser, C., D. Horneck, R. Koenig, L. Porter, and L. Brewer. 2016. Green Pea Nutrient Management. Inland Northwest – east of the Cascades. Oregon State University Extension EM9140.
Collins, D., C. Miles, C. Cogger, and R. Koenig. 2013. Soil fertility in organic systems: A guide for gardeners and small acreage farmers. PNW Extension publication 618, 19 p.
Koenig, R., K. Schroeder, A. Carter, M. Pumphrey, T. Paulitz, K. Campbell, and D. Huggins. 2011. Soil acidity and aluminum toxicity in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest. WSU Extension Fact Sheet FS050E.
Koenig, R.T., A.W. Hammac, and W.L. Pan. 2011. Canola growth, development and fertility. WSU Extension Fact Sheet FS045E.
Hard white spring wheat nitrogen and protein management guide from the Washington Grain Commission
Hard red spring wheat nitrogen and protein management guide from the Washington Grain Commission
Hard red winter wheat nitrogen and protein management guide from the Washington Grain Commission
Shewmaker, G.E., R. Koenig, D. Horneck, M. Bohle, G. Cardon, and S. Jensen. 2010. Chapter 3: Soils, Fertility, and Nutrient Management for Pastures. p. 21-30. In G.E. Shewmaker and M.G. Bohle (eds.) Pasture and Grazing Management in the Northwest, PNW 0614, University of Idaho Cooperative Extension, Moscow.
Koenig, R.T., D. Horneck., T.E. Platt, P.J. Petersen, R.G Stevens, S.C. Fransen, and B. Brown. 2009. Nutrient management guide for dryland and irrigated alfalfa in inland northwest. PNW Bulletin 0611, Washington State University, 16 pp.
Fuerst, E.P., R.T. Koenig, J. Kugler, K.M. Painter, M.E. Stannard, M.E., and J. Goldberger. 2009. Organic Alfalfa Management Guide. EB2039E, 24 pp.
Jones, C., R. Koenig, J. Ellsworth, G. Jackson and B. Brown. 2007. Urea Fertilizer Management Guide. EB 173, Tri-State Extension publication (MT-ID-WA), 12 p.
Koenig, R. 2005. Eastern Washington Nutrient Management Guide: Dryland winter wheat. EB1987, Washington State University Extension, 5p.
Awards and Recognition
2021: Inaugural recipient of the CAHNRS Faculty Administrator of the Year Award
2021: WSU Outstanding Department Chair Award
2013: Fellow status in the Soil Science Society of America
2013: Fellow status in the American Society of Agronomy
2010: Educational Materials Award for extension publication Pasture and Grazing Management in the Northwest, American Society of Agronomy
2009: Soil Science Society of America Journal Editor’s Citation for Excellence for an Associate Editor.
2007: Educational Materials Award for publication Management of Urea Fertilizer to Reduce Volatilization, American Society of Agronomy
2004: American Society of Agronomy, Educational Materials Award for publication Fertilizer Management for Grass and Grass-Legume Mixtures
2003: Young Scientist Award, Fluid Fertilizer Foundation
2002: Award of Merit for assistance in conducting research and educational programs, USDA-NRCS