Nutrient Management Research at WSU
Managed agro-ecosystems create an environment where sustaining plant/crop productivity requires nutrient management. In sustainable cropping systems, nutrient management typically involves the use of synthetic fertilizer materials, but also incorporates other management practices such as cover cropping and the use of bio-based fertilizers like manures and composts. Nutrient management research involves developing testing strategies to determine if nutrients are present in sufficient qualities for the cropping system. When a nutrient needs to be supplemented, nutrient management research identifies alternative strategies for soil amendments to maintain economically and environmentally sustainable agro-ecosystems.
Faculty
Dave Huggins, USDA-ARS
Dave Huggins is Director of the Cook Agronomy Farm Long-Term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) site and Co-Director of the Pacific Northwest Climate Hub. His research is in the area of Conservation Farming and Agroecology focusing on nitrogen use efficiency, carbon sequestration and overall agroecosystem performance.
Gabriel LaHue
My research program focuses on soil-water relations, soil fertility, and water-nutrient interactions. My soil fertility work is focused on the nutrient requirements of understudied crops and the relationship between soil properties and nutrient management. The interactions between water and nutrients are an area of particular interest to me, such as the application of fertilizers or pesticides through irrigation systems and soil moisture effects on nutrient availability and losses.
Isaac Madsen
My extension and research program focuses on oilseed production in Washington State. I can assist you with questions regarding oilseed production including stand establishment, winter survival, nutrient management and variety selection. Additionally, I am interested in alternative cropping practices such as oilseed-legume intercropping and dual purpose (grazing) winter canola.
William Pan
I conduct work at the interface between crops and soils at rhizosphere and cropping systems levels the Nutrient Cycling and Rhizosphere Ecology Analytics, Technology and Education (NCREATE) team. We digitally image root rhizospheres and we track nutrient use and cycling of crops in rotations to better inform nutrient management recommendations, which we extend to student and farming communities.
Haiying Tao
My research focuses on soil fertility and best nutrient management practices for optimum crop yield and economic returns, while aware of environmental concerns.