Catherine Reardon (Kate)

Microbiologist

Catherine (Kate) Reardon Columbia Plateau Conservation Research Center Pendleton, OR (541) 278-4392 Catherine.Reardon@usda.gov

Educational Background:

I received a Ph.D. in microbiology in 2005 from Montana State University in Bozeman and a Bachelor of Science in 2001 from Idaho State University in Pocatello.

Skills and Expertise

qPCR, T-RFLP, DNA sequencing, soil enzyme activity, microscopy

Research Program: Soil Microbiology

Broad Research Objectives

Evaluating effects of crop management on soil microbial communities and nutrient cycling activity

Identifying microbial populations beneficial to plant health in dryland cropping systems

Focus of the Microbiology Program

The focus of the microbiology program is to develop new knowledge about microbial benefits derived from diversified crop rotations. The primary objective of the current research plan is to determine whether wheat-oilseed rotations compared to traditional winter wheat-summer fallow provide belowground benefits from changes in the soil microbiology such as increased nitrogen availability, improved soil structure, and reduced disease. DNA- and culture-based methods are being employed to (i) characterize and compare changes in the microbial diversity, composition and function in response to crop rotation, (ii) identify key changes in fungal and bacterial populations with relation to soil structure, and (iii) determine whether Brassica oilseed crops inhibit or “biofumigate” soil communities near the root (or rhizosphere).

Current Research Projects

Research is funded under the USDA-ARS NP 216

• Agricultural System Competitiveness and Sustainability
• Evaluate effects of crop diversification and intensification in dryland wheat-fallow rotation on microbial community structure and activity
• Determine whether oilseeds benefit soil heath through changes to soil structure, water infiltration, microbial diversity or nutrient cycling capacity

Additional Research Projects:

• USDA-NIFA, AFRI Competitive Grants Program Climate Change Research, 2011-2015. Project Title: Site-specific climate-friendly farming. In collaboration with Washington State University-Pullman (David Brown, P.I.)

Selected Publications

Reardon, C.L., and S.B. Wuest. “Soil amendments yield persisting effects on the microbial communities—a 7-year study.” Applied Soil Ecology (2016) 101: 107-116.

Reardon, C.L., H.T. Gollany, and S.B. Wuest. “Diazotroph community structure and abundance in wheat–fallow and wheat–pea crop rotations.” Soil Biology and Biochemistry (2014) 69: 406-412.

Williams, J.D., C.L. Reardon, S.B. Wuest, and D.S. Long. “Soil wet aggregate stability in dryland Pacific Northwest intensified crop rotations.” Soil Science Society of America J. (2018) 82:455-462.

 

• Publications

  • (Clicking on the reprint icon will take you to the publication reprint.)
  • Yield has minimal effect on whole-grain mineral density of modern soft wheat compared to production environment, genotype, and test weight -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Adams, C.B., Graebner, R.C., Marshall, J., Neely, C., Long, D.S., Reardon, C.L., Rogers, C.W. 2024. Yield has minimal effect on whole-grain mineral density of modern soft wheat compared to production environment, genotype, and test weight. Field Crops Research. 312. Article 109403. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2024.109403.
    
  • Nitrogen-fixing bacterial communities differ between perennial agroecosystem crops -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Sorochkina, K., Martens-Habbena, W., Reardon, C.L., Strauss, S., Inglett, P. 2024. Nitrogen-fixing bacterial communities differ between perennial agroecosystem crops. FEMS Microbiology Ecology. 100(6). Article fiae064. https://doi.org/10.1093/femsec/fiae064.
    
  • Ester-linked fatty acid methyl esters respond to soil conservation management in a multi-regional study across the United States-(Abstract Only)
    Roper III, W.R., Acosta Martinez, V., Moore, J.M., Ducey, T.F., Dungan, R.S., Veum, K.S., Gollany, H.T., Jin, V.L., Johnson, J.M., Weyers, S.L., Fischel, M.H., Maul, J.E., Reardon, C.L., Mikha, M.M., Lehman, R.M., Franco Jr, J.G., Manter, D.K., Liebig, M.A., Hale, L.E., Emmett, B.D., Trippe, K.M., Stewart, C.E. 2024. Ester-linked fatty acid methyl esters respond to soil conservation management in a multi-regional study across the United States. Ecological Society of America (ESA).
    
  • Legume cover cropping and nitrogen fertilization influence soil prokaryotes and increase carbon content in dryland wheat systems -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Domnariu, H., Reardon, C.L., Manning, V., Gollany, H.T., Trippe, K.M. 2024. Legume cover cropping and nitrogen fertilization influence soil prokaryotes and increase carbon content in dryland wheat systems. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment. 367. Article 108959. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2024.108959.
    
  • Critical levels and nitrogen fertilizer equivalencies for grain protein in winter wheat -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Long, D., Reardon, C.L., Adams, C.B. 2023. Critical levels and nitrogen fertilizer equivalencies for grain protein in winter wheat. Agronomy Journal. 116(1):339-348. https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.21499.
    
  • Microbial community composition response to soil management across climates-(Abstract Only)
    Roper Iii, W.R., Acosta Martinez, V., Moore, J.M., Ducey, T.F., Dungan, R.S., Durso, L.M., Gollany, H.T., Jin, V.L., Johnson, J.M., Fischel, M.H., Maul, J.E., Reardon, C.L., Mikha, M.M., Lehman, R.M., Franco Jr, J.G., Manter, D.K., Liebig, M.A., Veum, K.S., Hale, L.E., Emmett, B.D., Trippe, K.M., Stewart, C.E. 2023. Microbial community composition response to soil management across climates. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts.
    
  • Comparison of Oxford Nanopore Technologies and Illumina MiSeq sequencing with mock communities and agricultural soil -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Stevens, B.M., Creed, T.B., Reardon, C.L., Manter, D.K. 2023. Comparison of Oxford Nanopore Technologies and Illumina MiSeq sequencing with mock communities and agricultural soil. Scientific Reports. 13. Article e9323. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-36101-8.
    
  • Resilient Dryland Farming Alliance, 2021 – 2022 annual report: Alternative crop trial-(Popular Publication)
    Singh, S., Adams, C.B., Barroso, J., Calderon, F., Gourlie, J., Graebner, R., Harrison, K., Hunt, M., Kriete, L., Larson, D., Machado, P., Mcgee, R.J., Namdar, G., Pritchet, L., Reardon, C.L., Umbarger, S.K., Wood, D., Hagerty, C. 2022. Resilient Dryland Farming Alliance, 2021 – 2022 annual report: Cover crop trial. Extension Service Bulletins. Article 12596. https://extension.oregonstate.edu/sites/default/files/documents/12596/rdfa-cover-crop-report-2022-final.pdf
    
  • Enzyme activities distinguish long-term fertilizer effects under different soil storage methods -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Reardon, C.L., Klein, A.M., Melle, C.J., Hagerty, C.H., Klarer, E.R., Machado, S., Paulitz, T.C., Pritchett, L., Schlatter, D.C., Wuest, S.B. 2022. Enzyme activities distinguish long-term fertilizer effects under different soil storage methods. Applied Soil Ecology. 177. Article 104518. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsoil.2022.104518.
    
  • Weed suppression using cover and alternative crops in dryland wheat-fallow systems of eastern Oregon-(Proceedings)
    
    
  • Economic returns from three-year crop rotations under low precipitation in Pacific Northwest -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Long, D.S., Barroso, J., Painter, K.M., Reardon, C.L., Williams, J.D. 2022. Economic returns from three-year crop rotations under low precipitation in Pacific Northwest. Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment. 5(1). Article e20251. https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20251.
    
  • Seasonality drives microbiome composition and nitrogen cycling in soil below biocrusts -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Nevins, C.J., Inglett, P.W., Reardon, C.L., Strauss, S.L. 2022. Seasonality drives microbiome composition and nitrogen cycling in soil below biocrusts. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 166. Article 108551. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2022.108551.
    
  • Resilient Dryland Farming Alliance, 2020-2021 annual report: Alternative crop trial-(Popular Publication)
    Singh, S., Barroso, J., Calderon, F.J., Gourlie, J.A., Graebner, R.C., Harrison, K.C., Hunt, M.P., Klarer, E.R., Kriete, L.R., Machado, S., Mcgee, R.J., Namdar, G.F., Pritchett, L., Reardon, C.L., Umbarger, S.K., Wood, D.I., Hagerty, C.H. 2021. Resilient Dryland Farming Alliance, 2020-2021 annual report: Alternative crop trial. Extension Service Bulletins. Available: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/node/182426.
    
  • Resilient dryland farming appropriation, 2020-2021 annual report: cover crop trial-(Popular Publication)
    Singh, S., Barroso, J., Calderon, F., Gourlie, J., Graebner, R.C., Harrison, K., Hunt, M., Klarer, E.R., Kriete, L., Machado, S., Mcgee, R.J., Pritchett, L., Reardon, C.L., Umbarger, S.K., Wood, D., Hagerty, C.H. 2021. Resilient dryland farming appropriation, 2020-2021 annual report: cover crop trial. Extension Service Bulletins. Available: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/node/169676.
    
  • The dirt on the USDA-ARS location in Pendleton Oregon-(Other)
    Reardon, C.L. 2021. The dirt on the USDA-ARS location in Pendleton Oregon. Electronic Publication. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEQii0lPPEs.
    
  • Soil microbial diversity and activity linked to crop yield and quality in a dryland organic wheat production system-(Other)
    Reardon, C.L., Hagerty, C., Klarer, E.R., Klein, A., Machado, S., Melle, C., Paulitz, T.C., Larry, P., Schlatter, D.C., Wuest, S.B. 2021. Soil microbial diversity and activity linked to crop yield and quality in a dryland organic wheat production system. Electronic Publication. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-sqaGpNfKo.
    
  • Phytostabilization of acidic mine tailings with biochar, biosolids, lime, and locally-sourced microbial inoculum: Do amendment mixtures influence plant growth, tailing chemistry, and microbial composition? -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Trippe, K.M., Manning, V., Reardon, C.L., Klein, A.M., Weidman, C.S., Ducey, T.F., Novak, J.M., Watts, D.W., Rushmiller, H.C., Spokas, K.A., Ippolito, J.A., Johnson, M.G. 2021. Phytostabilization of acidic mine tailings with biochar, biosolids, lime, and locally-sourced microbial inoculum: Do amendment mixtures influence plant growth, tailing chemistry, and microbial composition? Applied Soil Ecology. 165. Article 103962. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsoil.2021.103962.
    
  • Electrostatic method to remove particulate organic matter from soil -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Wuest, S.B., Reardon, C.L. 2021. Electrostatic method to remove particulate organic matter from soil. The Journal of Visualized Experiments (JoVE). 168. Article e61915. https://doi.org/10.3791/61915.
    
  • Productivity and water use efficiency of intensified dryland cropping systems under low precipitation in Pacific Northwest, USA -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Williams, J.D., Reardon, C.L., Long, D.S. 2020. Productivity and water use efficiency of intensified dryland cropping systems under low precipitation in Pacific Northwest, USA. Field Crops Research. 254. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2020.107787.
    
  • Soil water infiltration after oilseed crop introduction into a Pacific Northwest winter wheat-fallow rotation. -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Williams, J.D., Reardon, C.L., Wuest, S.B., Long, D.S. 2020. Soil water infiltration after oilseed crop introduction into a Pacific Northwest winter wheat-fallow rotation. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation. 75(6):739-745. https://doi.org/10.2489/jswc.2020.00165.
    
  • Baseline and temporal changes in sensitivity of Zymoseptoria tritici isolates to benzovindiflupyr in Oregon, USA, and cross-sensitivity to other SDHI fungicides -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Hagerty, C.H., Klein, A.M., Reardon, C.L., Kroese, D.R., Graber, K.R., Melle, C.J., Mundt, C.C. 2020. Baseline and temporal changes in sensitivity of Zymoseptoria tritici isolates to benzovindiflupyr in Oregon, USA, and cross-sensitivity to other SDHI fungicides. Plant Disease. Available: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-10-19-2125-RE.
    
  • Mining the drilosphere: bacterial communities and denitrifier abundance in a no-till wheat cropping system -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Schlatter, D.C., Reardon, C.L., Maynard-Johnson, J.L., Brooks, E., Kahl, K.B., Norby, J., Huggins, D.R., Paulitz, T.C. 2019. Mining the drilosphere: bacterial communities and denitrifier abundance in a no-till wheat cropping system. Frontiers in Microbiology. 10:1339. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2019.01339.
    
  • Soil microbial and chemical properties of a minimum and conventionally-tilled wheat-fallow system -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Reardon, C.L., Wuest, S.B., Melle, C.J., Klein, A.M., Williams, J.D., McCallum, J.D., Barroso, J., Long, D.S. 2019. Soil microbial and chemical properties of a minimum and conventionally-tilled wheat-fallow system. Soil Science Society of America Journal. 83(4):1100-1110. https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj2018.09.0344.
    
  • Stratification of soil chemical and microbial properties under no-till after liming -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Barth, V.P., Reardon, C.L., Coffey, T., Klein, A.M., McFarland, C., Huggins, D.R., Sullivan, T.S. 2018. Stratification of soil chemical and microbial properties under no-till management after lime amendment. Applied Soil Ecology. 130:169-177. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsoil.2018.06.001.
    
  • Soil wet aggregate stability in dryland Pacific Northwest intensified crop rotations -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Williams, J.D., Reardon, C.L., Wuest, S.B., Long, D.S. 2018. Soil wet aggregate stability in dryland Pacific Northwest intensified crop rotations. Soil Science Society of America Journal. 82:455-462. doi:10.2136/sssaj2017.08.0302.
    
  • Physical feasibility of biochar production and utilization at a farm-scale: a case-study in non-irrigated seed production-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Phillips, C.L., Trippe, K.M., Reardon, C.L., Mellbye, B., Griffith, S.M., Banowetz, G.M. 2018. Physical feasibility of biochar production and utilization at a farm-scale: a case-study in non-irrigated seed production. Biomass and Bioenergy. 108:244-251.
    
  • Adapting the nitrogen replacement approach to dryland spring wheat in the Pacific Northwest -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Long, D.S., Mccallum, J.D., Reardon, C.L., Engel, R. 2017. Adapting the nitrogen replacement approach to dryland spring wheat in the Pacific Northwest. American Society of Agronomy. 50(5):34-37. doi:10.2134/cs2017.50.0503.
    
  • Nitrogen requirement to change protein concentration of spring wheat in semiarid Pacific Northwest -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Long, D.S., Reardon, C.L., McCallum, J.D., Engel, R. 2017. Nitrogen requirement to change protein concentration of spring wheat in semiarid Pacific Northwest. Agronomy Journal. 109:675-683.
    
  • Soil microbial diversity and activity linked to crop yield and quality in a dryland organic wheat production system -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Tautges, N.E., Sullivan, T.S., Reardon, C.L., Burke, I.C. 2016. Soil microbial diversity and activity linked to crop yield and quality in a dryland organic wheat production system. Applied Soil Ecology. 108:258-268.
    
  • Denitrifier abundance has a greater influence on denitrification rates at larger landscape scales but is a lesser driver than environmental variables -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Shrewsbury, L., Smith, J.L., Huggins, D.R., Carpenter-Boggs, L., Reardon, C.L. 2016. Denitrifier abundance has a greater influence on denitrification rates at larger landscape scales but is a lesser driver than environmental variables. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 103:221-231. dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2016.08.016.
    
  • Rapid quantification of soilborne pathogen communities in wheat-based long-term field experiments-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Smiley, R.W., Machado, S., Rhinhart, K., Reardon, C.L., Wuest, S.B. 2016. Rapid quantification of soilborne pathogen communities in wheat-based long-term field experiments. Plant Disease. 100(8):1692-1708. doi: 10.1094/PDIS-09-15-1020-RE.
    
  • Development of dryland oilseed production systems in northwestern region of the USA -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Long, D.S., Young, F.L., Schillinger, W.F., Reardon, C.L., Williams, J.D., Allen, B.L., Pan, W., Wysocki, D.J. 2016. Development of dryland oilseed production systems in northwestern region of the USA. BioEnergy Research. 9:412-429.
    
  • Surface and root inputs produce different carbon to phosphorus ratios in soil -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Wuest, S.B., Reardon, C.L. 2016. Surface and root inputs produce different carbon to phosphorus ratios in soil. Soil Science Society of America Journal. 80:463-471.
    
  • Soil amendments yield persisting effects on the microbial communities--a 7-year study -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Reardon, C.L., Wuest, S.B. 2016. Soil amendments yield persisting effects on the microbial communities--a 7-year study. Applied Soil Ecology. 101:107-116. doi: 10.1016/j.apsoil.2015.12.013.
    
  • Use of pressure cycling technology for cell lysis and recovery of bacterial and fungal communities from soil -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Bruner, E.A., Okubara, P.A., Abi-Ghanem, R., Brown, D.J., Reardon, C.L. 2015. Use of pressure cycling technology for cell lysis and recovery of bacterial and fungal communities from soil. Biotechniques. 58(4):171-180.
    
  • Diazotroph community structure and abundance in wheat-fallow and wheat-pea crop rotations-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Reardon, C.L., Gollany, H.T., Wuest, S.B. 2013. Diazotroph community structure and abundance in wheat-fallow and wheat-pea crop rotations. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 69:406-412.
    
  • The response of ammonia-oxidizer activity and community structure to fertilizer amendment of orchard soils-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Strauss, S.L., Reardon, C.L., Mazzola, M. 2013. The response of ammonia-oxidizer activity and community structure to fertilizer amendment of orchard soils. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 68:410-418.
    
  • Hydrogenase activity of mineral-associated and suspended populations of Desulfovibrio Desulfuricans Essex 6-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Reardon, C.L., Magnuson, T.S., Boyd, E.S., Leavitt, W.D., Reed, D.W., Geesey, G.G. 2013. Hydrogenase activity of mineral-associated and suspended populations of Desulfovibrio Desulfuricans Essex 6. Microbial Ecology. 67(2):318-326.
    
  • Root to shoot ratios and belowground biomass distribution for Pacific Northwest dryland crops-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Williams, J.D., Reardon, C.L., Mccool, D.K., Douglas, C.L., Albrecht, S.L., Rickman, R.2. 2013. Root to shoot ratios and belowground biomass distribution for Pacific Northwest dryland crops. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation. 68(5):349-360.
    
  • Changes in available nitrogen and nematode abundance in response to Brassica seed meal amendment of orchard soil-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Reardon, C.L., Strauss, S.L., Mazzola, M. 2012. Changes in available nitrogen and nematode abundance in response to Brassica seed meal amendment of orchard soil. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 57:22-29.
    
  • Developing a real-time PCR assay for detection and quantification of Pratylenchus neglectus in soil-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Yan, G., Smiley, R.W., Okubara, P.A., Skantar, A.M., Reardon, C.L. 2013. Developing a real-time PCR assay for detection and quantification of Pratylenchus neglectus in soil. Plant Disease. 97(6):757-764.
    
  • Long-term suppression of Pythium abappressorium induced by Brassica juncea seed meal amendment is biologically mediated-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Weerakoon, D.M., Reardon, C.L., Paulitz, T.C., Izzo, A., Mazzola, M. 2012. Long-term suppression of Pythium abappressorium induced by Brassica juncea seed meal amendment is biologically mediated. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 51:44-52.
    
  • Role of outer membrane c-type cytochromes MtrC and OmcA in Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 cell production, accumulation and detachment during respiration on hematite-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Mitchell, A.C., Peterson, L., Reardon, C.L., Reed, S.B., Culley, D.E., Romine, M.F., Geesey, G.G. 2012. Role of outer membrane c-type cytochromes MtrC and OmcA in Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 cell production, accumulation and detachment during respiration on hematite. Geobiology. 10, 355-370.
    
  • Initial Pythium species composition and Brassicaceae seed meal type influence extent of Pythium-induced plant growth suppression in soil-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Mazzola, M., Reardon, C.L., Brown, J. 2012. Initial Pythium species composition and Brassicaceae seed meal type influence extent of Pythium-induced plant growth suppression in soil. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 48:20-27.
    
  • Structure of a bacterial cell surface decaheme electron conduit-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Clarke, T., Edwards, M., Gates, A., Hall, A., White, G.F., Bradley, J., Reardon, C.L., Shi, L., Beliaev, A.S., Marshall, M.J., Wang, Z., Watmough, N.J., Fredrickson, J.K., Zachara, J.M., Butt, J.N., Richardson, D.J. 2011. Structure of a bacterial cell surface decaheme electron conduit. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 108:9384-8389.
    
  • GENERAL SUPPRESSION OF FREE-LIVING NEMATODES BY BRASSICACEAE SEED MEAL -(Proceedings)