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Department of Soil Science
263 Soils Bldg
1525 Observatory Drive
Madison, WI 53706
(608) 262.2633
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ROBIN F. HARRIS
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Principal Areas of Interest
Soil microbiology, biochemistry
Appointment
Research 50%, Teaching 40%, Extension 10%
Teaching and Research
My research emphasizes mechanistic mass balance models and the energetic and eco-physiological basis of microbial activity and ecology in soil, sediment and soil-plant systems. Microbial strategies for growth and survival are characterized as a function of nutritional and environmental conditions, recognizing that energy supply is commonly the predominant factor limiting microbial growth in soil and interfacing ecosystems. Microbial responses to stress are quantified in terms of changes in substrate availability and energy requirements, particularly as related to the effect of the stress on the rate and efficiency of growth, maintenance and biochemical activity. Models for growth and activity on solid porous media include consideration of diffusion phenomena.
Laboratory research involves work with pure and mixed cultures of soil microorganisms in batch, fed batch and continuous culture, and analysis of microbial systems for forms and amounts of microorganisms and biochemical indices of microbial biomass. Complementary field research is done in cooperation with other investigators.
Current research is in three major areas: (1) bioremediation of contaminated soils and waters by microbial consortia; (2) development of soil health and tilth-based tests for sustainable agriculture; (3) ecophysiological basis of biological control of resident and transient microorganisms in soil-plant systems.
Students involved in my research program normally major in soil science, environmental toxicology, or bacteriology for their M.S. degree. For their Ph.D., common combinations are a major in soil science and a distributed minor or minor in bacteriology, environmental toxicology or water chemistry; or a major in environmental toxicology or bacteriology and a distributed minor or minor in soil science or water chemistry.
Publications
Harris, R.F., D.L. Karlen, and D.J. Mulla. 1996. An integrated framework for assessment and management of soil quality and health. p. 000-000. In J.W. Doran and A.J. Jones (eds.) Handbook of methods for assessment of soil quality. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. Spec. Publ. SSSA, Madison, WI. (In press).
Romig, D.E., M.J. Garlynd, and R.F. Harris. 1996. Farmer based assessment of soil quality: A soil health scorecard. p. 000-000. In J.W. Doran and A.J. Jones (eds.) Handbook of methods for assessment of soil quality. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. Spec. Publ. SSSA, Madison, WI. (In press).
Harris, R.F., and S.M. Arnold. 1995. Redox and energy aspects of soil bioremediation. p. 55-87. In H.D. Skipper and R.F. Turco (eds.) Bioremediation: Science and applications. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. Spec. Publ. no 43. SSSA, Madison, WI.
Harris, R.F., and D.F. Bezdicek. 1994. Descriptive aspects of soil quality/health. p. 23-35. In J.W. Doran et al. (eds.) Defining soil quality for a sustainable environment. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. Spec. Publ. no. 35. SSSA, Madison, WI.
Cascino, J.J., R.F. Harris, C.S. Smith, and J.H. Andrews. 1990. Spore yield and microcycle conidiation by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides in liquid culture. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 56:2303-2310.
Andrews, J.H., and R.F. Harris. 1986. r- and K-selection and microbial ecology. Adv. Microbial Ecol. 9:99-147.
Harris, R.F. 1982. Energetics of nitrogen transformations. In F.J. Stevenson, J.M. Bremner, R.D. Hauck, and D.R. Keeney (eds.) Nitrogen in agricultural soils. Agronomy 22:833-890.
Harris, R.F. 1981. Effect of water potential on microbial growth and activity. p. 23-95. In J.F. Parr, W.R. Gardner, and L.F. Elliott (eds.) Water potential relations in soil microbiology. ASA, Madison, WI.