Jason Morrow

Jason Morrow
  • Masters Student
  • Washington State University
  • Crop and Soil Sciences

Advisor: 

Dave Huggins

Thesis or Dissertation Citation: 

Morrow, J. 2014. The influence of climate and management on surface soil health within the Inland Pacific Northwest. Washington State University MS Thesis, pp. 1-176.

Research Focus: 

The influence of climate and management on surface soil health within the Inland Pacific Northwest

Research Abstract: 

Surface soils influence ecosystem health through their role in nutrient cycling and decomposition, gas exchange, water infiltration, and erosion. Soil organic matter (SOM) is critical to soil functioning and subsequently to soil and ecosystem health. Across four dryland sites and one irrigated site within the inland Pacific Northwest (PNW), the objectives were to assess the influence of climate, tillage, and cropping intensity on surface soil health by measuring soil C and N properties related to SOM as well as nutrient availability (NO3 - , NH4 + , Ca, Mg, P, K, S, Mn, Fe, Zn, B, Cu) quantified by PRSTM probes (Western Ag Innovations, Saskatoon, Canada). A multivariate regression of mean annual temperature (MAT) and precipitation (MAP), tillage, and cropping intensity revealed that MAP explained 57% of soil organic carbon (SOC) variability and 69% of total soil N variability. When MAP was removed from the model, MAT explained 42% and 49%, respectively, of SOC and total N variability. Both the hydrolyzable and non-hydrolyzable fractions of SOC were equally sensitive to climate, indicating no relationship between chemical recalcitrance and climate sensitivity. Permanganate oxidizable carbon (POXC) was representative of SOM stabilization, while one-day carbon mineralization was v representative of microbial activity and SOM mineralization. Both POXC and mineralization potential may be increased by cropping diversification, and stabilized inputs, such as compost, along with no-till, may increase POXC. An increase in MAT across the region was associated with a decrease in potential nitrogen mineralization (PNM) (r = -0.73), potential denitrification (PDR) (r = -0.66), and basal denitrification (BDR) (r = -0.34). An increase in MAP was associated with an increase in PNM (r = 0.60) and PDR (r = 0.55), but was not related to BDR. Tillage intensity was correlated with PNM (r = -0.32), PDR (r = 0.32), and BDR (r = 0.32), whereas cropping intensity was correlated only with PNM (r = 0.40). Plant available nutrients displayed varying correlations with soil C and N properties, management, and climate factors. Overall, POXC and carbon mineralization were the most important indicators of surface soil health.

Biography: 

I grew up in Wyoming and have always had a love of the outdoors and an inkling to be involved in agriculture. It wasn't until I was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Zambia that I became immersed in agriculture and witnessed the importance of sustainable agriculture practices to community well being. This realization eventually led me to WSU to earn a MS degree in soil science. I chose soil health as my area of focus as I believe healthy soils are fundamental to a thriving community and healthy planet.

Publications and Presentations: 

Morrow, J.G., Huggins, D.R. and Reganold. J.P. 2017. Climate Change Predicted to Negatively Influence Surface Soil Organic Matter of Dryland Cropping Systems in the Inland Pacific Northwest, USA. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 5. doi:10.3389/fevo.2017.00010.
Morrow, J., Huggins, D., Carpenter-Boggs, L., Reganold, J. 2016. Evaluating measures to assess soil health in long-term agroecosystems trials. Soil Science Society of America Journal. 80(2): 450-462.