Gabriel LaHue

Gabriel LaHue is an Associate Professor of Soil Science at Washington State University (WSU), affiliated with the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences in the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS). His research focuses on soil-plant-water relations, soil physical health, and irrigation management in agricultural systems, particularly in western Washington. He holds a PhD in Soils and Biogeochemistry from UC Davis (2018), an MS in International Agricultural Development (2015), and a BS in Plant Science from Cornell University (2010).

His research program addresses challenges such as optimizing irrigation practices to reduce bacterial diseases in onions, improving soil fertility management for understudied crops, and enhancing water-use efficiency through controlled drainage and subirrigation. He collaborates with farmers to develop practical solutions for soil health, water conservation, and sustainable agriculture. Notable projects include the Skagit Water Supply and Demand Synthesis and the Washington Soil Health Initiative Roadmap.

LaHue teaches courses like Soil: A Living System and Organic and Sustainable Agricultural Certifications. His extension work bridges research and practice, emphasizing participatory approaches with farmers. He oversees projects at the WSU Northwestern Washington Research and Extension Center (NWREC), focusing on cider apple production, soil compaction measurement, and pathogenomics tools for disease management.

Recent research highlights include studies on irrigation scheduling impacts on spinach seed crops, nitrogen supply from soil organic matter in blueberry production, and the role of water management in mitigating toxic metal accumulation in rice. His work spans diverse cropping systems and integrates environmental sustainability with agricultural productivity.