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CORVALLIS, Ore. — Two soil scientists at Oregon State University received the Soil Science Society of America Research Award at its annual meetings.

Researchers David Myrold and Peter Bottomley focus their work on small organisms that can play a large role in how the earth system functions. They are collaborating on a project funded by the National Science Foundation to study the roles of soil bacteria and fungi in the nutrient uptake of tree roots in old growth coniferous forests.

They also are working on a United States Department of Agriculture project to examine how different vegetation types and management systems affect nitrogen cycling in Oregon soils.

"Through close collaboration and interaction, Myrold and Bottomley have developed a synergistic research and teaching program that addresses novel questions in soil microbiology," said Russ Karow, head of the Crop and Soil Science Department at OSU. "The SSSA Research Award is among the highest honors given by the society. For a team at OSU to receive it speaks to the success of our scientists in working together to further the research in their field."

Bottomley is a professor in the departments of Crop and Soil Science and Microbiology, whose research is directed at environmental soil microbiology. He has published more than 100 journal articles and is a fellow of the Soil Science Society of America. Bottomley also has authored or co-authored chapters in popular textbooks and served as chair of the Division of Soil Biology & Biochemistry of SSSA.

Myrold is a professor and in the Department of Crop and Soil Science and director of a National Science Foundation Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship program on the subsurface biosphere. With a focus on soil microbial ecology, he has published more than 100 journal articles and book chapters. He is a fellow of the SSSA and also was chair of the Division of Soil Biology & Biochemistry.

The SSSA is an educational organization that helps its more than 6,000 members advance the disciplines and practices of agronomy and crop and soil sciences.