Dr. Samuel Haruna

Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Associate Professor of Soil Science

Dr. Samuel Haruna
(615) 898-2408
Room 111, Stark Agribusiness and Agriscience Center (SAG)
MTSU Box 05, Murfreesboro, TN 37132

Degree Information

  • PHD, University of Missouri (2017)
  • MS, Lincoln University (2013)
  • BS, Kogi State University (2008)

Areas of Expertise

Soil and Water Conservation; Soil Management Practices; Cover Crops; Soil Thermal Properties; Vadoze Zone Hydrology.

Biography

Dr. Haruna recieved his B.S. degree in Geology from Kogi State University in 2008, M.S. degree in Environmental Science from Lincoln University (Missouri) in 2013 and Ph.D. in Soils, Environmental and Atmospheric Sciences from University of Missouri in 2017. His research interests revolve around evaluating the influence of various crop and soil management practices on soil hydraulic properties, soil thermal properties, and the spatial distribution of soil physico-chemical properties. His rese...

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Dr. Haruna recieved his B.S. degree in Geology from Kogi State University in 2008, M.S. degree in Environmental Science from Lincoln University (Missouri) in 2013 and Ph.D. in Soils, Environmental and Atmospheric Sciences from University of Missouri in 2017. His research interests revolve around evaluating the influence of various crop and soil management practices on soil hydraulic properties, soil thermal properties, and the spatial distribution of soil physico-chemical properties. His research has demonstrated the influence of a combination of various management practices (e.g. cover crops, crop rotation, tillage) on soil physical and hydraulic properties, and on water infiltration parameters.  He is also passionate about soil health, soil conservation and sustainable soil management practices for increased crop productivity.

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Publications

PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS

Haque, M.A., Rogerson, L., Nat, N.D., Haruna, S., Ahn, J., Johnston, T.V.,  Lin, C.S.K., Chong, L., Na, L., Jang, M.J., and Ku, S. 2024. Sustainable management and valorization of antibiotic waste. Chemical Engineering Journal. 498:155372.

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PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS

Haque, M.A., Rogerson, L., Nat, N.D., Haruna, S., Ahn, J., Johnston, T.V.,  Lin, C.S.K., Chong, L., Na, L., Jang, M.J., and Ku, S. 2024. Sustainable management and valorization of antibiotic waste. Chemical Engineering Journal. 498:155372. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2024.155372.

Haque, M.A., Nath, N.D., Johnston, T.V., Haruna, S., Ahn, J., Ovissipour, R., and Ku, S. 2024. Harnessing biotechnology for penicillin production: opportunities and environmental considerations. Science of the Total Environment. 946:174236. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174236.

Peters, O.M., and Haruna, S.I. 2024. Does no-till cover crop influence in situ measured soil water potential and saturated hydraulic conductivity? Soil and Water Research. 19(3): 154-167. https://doi.org/10.17221/27/2024-SWR.

Lieskamp, D.R., Moseley, A.M., Legrain, I.M.R., Kelly, C., Haque, M.A., Ku, S., and Haruna, S.I. 2024. No-till cover crop effects on the hydro-physical properties of a silt-loam. Soil Science Society of America Journal. 88(3):764-778.  https://doi.org/10.1002/saj2.20645.

Haruna, S.I. 2024. Effects of cover crop on selected abiotic and biotic soil health indicators. Environmental Challenges.17:101045. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envc.2024.101045.

Haque, M.A., Ku, S., and Haruna, S.I. 2024. Soil thermal properties: influence of no-till cover crops. Canadian Journal of Soil Science (Special Issue: Conservation tillage: effects on soil properties and crop productivity). 104:246-256. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjss-2023-0095.

Peters, O.M., and Haruna, S.I. 2024. Do cover crops influence in situ soil water potential after termination? Agronomy (Special Issue: Influence of land use patterns on soil physical quality). 14(11):2549. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14112549.

Haruna, S. I., Ward, Z. A., Cartwright, A. L., Wunner, A. A., Jackson, C. A., and Berry, C. R. 2023. No-till cover crop effects on the thermal properties of a Paleudult. Soil and Tillage Research. 231:105717. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2023.105717.

Haruna, S. I., Ward, Z., Cartwright, A., and Wunner, A. 2023. Influence of no-till cover crops on the physical and hydraulic properties of a Paleudult. International Agrophysics. 37(2):189-199. https://doi.org/10.31545/intagr/162799

Clippard, E.A., Haruna, S.I., Curtis, P.S., Clay, C., Bond-Lamberty, B., Mathes, K., Vogel, C.S., and Gough, C.M. 2022. Decadal forest soil respiration following stem girdling. Trees. 36:1943-1949. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-022-02340-x. 

Hernandez J.R., Gulizia, J.P., Adkins, J.B., Rueda, M.S., Haruna, S.I., Pacheco, W.J., and Downs, K.M. 2022. Effect of phytase level and form on broiler performance, tibia characteristics, and residual fecal phytate phosphorus in broilers from 1 to 21 days of age. Animals. 12(15):1952. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12151952.

Haruna, S.I., E. Ritchey, C. Mosley, and S. Ku. 2022. Effects of cover crops on soil hydraulic properties during commodity growing season. Soil Use and Management. 39:218-231. http://doi.org/10.1111/sum.12803

Haruna, S.I., R.C. Eichas, O.M. Peters, A.C. Farmer, D.Q. Lackey, J.E. Nichols, W.H. Peterson, and N.A. Slone. 2022. In situ water infiltration: influence of cover crops after growth termination. Soil Science Society of America Journal. 86:769-780. https://doi.org/10.1002/saj2.20390.

Haruna, S.I., and S.H. Anderson. 2022. Influence of no-till cover crop management on soil thermal properties. In S. Jayaraman and R.C. Dalal (eds) No-Till Farming: Prospects and Challenges - Productivity, Soil Health and Ecosystem Services (Special Issue). Soil Research. 60(6):580-589. https://doi.org/10.1071/SR21197.

Haruna, S.I. 2021. Spatial and fractal characterization of selected soil nutrients along a catena. Catena. 204, p. 105443. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2021.105443.

Mitchell-Fostyk, B., and S.I. Haruna. 2021. Spatial and fractal variability of soil hydraulic properties along a catena. Soil Science Society of America Journal. 85:1710-1726. https://DOI: 10.1002/saj2.20286.    

Mitchell-Fostyk, B., S.I, Haruna, and K. Downs. 2021. Variability of soil thermal properties along a catena in Middle Tennessee, USA. International Agrophysics. 35:209-219. https://doi: 10.31545/intagr/140079.   

Haruna, S.I., S.H. Anderson, R.P. Udawatta, C.J. Gantzer, N.C. Phillips, S. Cui., and Y. Gao. 2020. Improving soil physical properties through the use of cover crops: a review. Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment. 3 (1) e20105. https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20105.

Haruna, S.I., and N.V. Nkongolo. 2020. Influence of cover crop, tillage, and crop rotation management on soil nutrients. Agriculture 10 (6), 225. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture10060225.

Haruna, S.I. 2019. Influence of winter wheat on soil thermal properties of a Paleudalf. International Agrophysics. 33:389-395. doi: 10.31545/intagr/110850.

Haruna, S.I., and N.V. Nkongolo. 2019. Tillage, cover crop and crop rotation effects on selected soil chemical properties. Sustainability. 11:2770. Doi:10.3390/su11102770.

Zaibon, S., S.H. Anderson, K.S. Veum, and S.I. Haruna. 2019. Soil thermal properties affected by topsoil thickness in switchgrass and rowcrop management systems. Geoderma. 350: 93-100. doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2019.05.005.

Haruna, S.I., S.H. Anderson, N.V. Nkongolo, and S. Zaibon. 2018. Soil hydraulic properties: influence of tillage and cover crops. Pedosphere. 28(3): 430-442. doi:10.1016/S1002-0160(17)60387-4.

Haruna, S.I., N.V. Nkongolo, S.H. Anderson, F. Eivazi, and S. Zaibon. 2018. In situ infiltration as affected by tillage and cover crop management. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation. 73 (2): 164-172. doi:10.2489/jswc.73.2.164.

Cercioglu, M., S.H. Anderson, R.P. Anderson, and S.I. Haruna. 2018. Effects of cover crop and biofuel crop management on computed tomography-measured pore parameters. Geoderma. 319: 80-88. doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2018.01.005.

Haruna, S.I. 2018. Musing on conservation agriculture. Current Investigations in Agriculture and Current Research. 1(5)-2018. CIACR.MS.ID.000125.

Haruna, S.I., S.H. Anderson, N.V. Nkongolo, T., Reinbott, and S. Zaibon. 2017. Soil thermal properties influenced by perennial biofuel and cover crops. Soil Science Society of America Journal. 81:1147-1156. doi:10.2136/sssaj2016.10.0345.

Zaibon, S., S.H. Anderson, A.L. Thompson, N.R. Kitchen, C.J. Gantzer, and S.I. Haruna. 2017. Soil water infiltration affected by topsoil thickness in rowcrop and switchgrass production systems. Geoderma. 286: 46-53. doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2016.10.016.

Zaibon, S., S.H. Anderson, N.R. Kitchen, and S.I. Haruna. 2016. Hydraulic properties affected by topsoil thickness in switchgrass and corn-soybean cropping systems. Soil Science Society of America Journal. 80:1365-1376. doi:10.2136/sssaj2016.04.0111.

Haruna, S.I., and N.V Nkongolo. 2015. Effects of tillage, rotation and cover crop on the physical properties of a silt loam soil. International Agrophysics. 29: 137-145. doi: 10.1515/intag-2015-0030.

Nkongolo, N.V., and S.I Haruna. 2015. Effect of tillage and cover crop on corn and soybean yields in a silty-loam soil. Procedia Environmental Sciences. 29: 15-16.  

Haruna, S.I., and N.V. Nkongolo. 2015. Cover crop management effects on soil physical and biological properties. Procedia Environmental Science. 29: 13-14. doi: 10.1016/j.proenv.2015.07.130.doi:10.1016/j.proenv.2015.07.130 doi:10.1016/j.proenv.2015.07.130

Haruna, S.I., and N.V. Nkongolo. 2014. Spatial and fractal characterization of soil chemical properties and nutrients across depths in a clay-loam soil. Communications in Soil Science & Plant Analysis. 45:2305–2318. DOI: 10.1080/00103624.2014.932371.

Haruna, S.I., and N.V. Nkongolo. 2013. Variability of soil physical properties in a clay-loam soil and its implication on soil management practices. Int’l. Scholarly Research Notices. 2013:33-41. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/418586.

BOOK CHAPTERS

Haruna, S.I., and Anderson, S.H. 2024. Agronomic practices for optimising soil water retention. In: J.W., Knox (ed). Improving Water Management in Agriculture. Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing. Pp. 75-109.

Haruna, S.I., and Anderson, S.H. 2023. Carbon storage dynamics under sustainable soil management: lessons learned from long-term experiments. In: S., Jayaraman, R.C., Dalal, and R. Lal (eds). Sustainable Soil Management: Beyond Food Production. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. Pp. 50-85.

Haruna, S.I., and Anderson, S.H. 2020. No-till farming systems for enhancing soil water storage. In: Dang, Y., R. Dalal, and N. Menzies (eds). No-Till Farming Systems for Sustainable Agriculture. Springer, Cham. Chapter 13. Pp. 213-231. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-46409-7_13.

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Presentations

Ward, Z.A., and S. Haruna. 2023. Influence of cover crop on soil properties and cash crop yield. Southern Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Young Scholars Grant Presentation.

Ward, Z.A., and S. Haruna. 2023. Influence of cover crop on soil hydraulic and physical properties after growth termination. MTSU Scholars Week.

Eke, D., U. Sheth, S. Haruna, Y. Gao, T.V. Johnston, and S. Ku. 2022. Agricultural water, ...

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Ward, Z.A., and S. Haruna. 2023. Influence of cover crop on soil properties and cash crop yield. Southern Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Young Scholars Grant Presentation.

Ward, Z.A., and S. Haruna. 2023. Influence of cover crop on soil hydraulic and physical properties after growth termination. MTSU Scholars Week.

Eke, D., U. Sheth, S. Haruna, Y. Gao, T.V. Johnston, and S. Ku. 2022. Agricultural water, soil, and seed quality in the production of ready to eat leafy vegetables: prospective challenges and potential solutions. Proceedings of the Tennessee Academy of Science. Pp. 31. https://www.tennacadofsci.org/forms/2022Meeting/2022TASProgram.pdf.

Arnold, A., S. Sullivan, C. Mearns, W. Williams, S. Miller, S. Lively, C. Utt-Grubb, D. Eke, S. Haruna, P. Nabukalu, S. Cui, T.V. Johnston, and S. Ku. 2022. Application of perennial sorghum into far east Asian alcoholic beverage production. Proceedings of the Tennessee Academy of Science. Pp. 32. https://www.tennacadofsci.org/forms/2022Meeting/2022TASProgram.pdf.

Smith, H., D.S. Rodgers, T.G. Justice, P. Nabukalu, T.V. Johnston, S. Cui, S. Haruna, and S. Ku. 2022. Evaluation of perennial sorghum’s applicability as a flavoring grain in liquor production. Proceedings of the Tennessee Academy of Science. Pp. 36. https://www.tennacadofsci.org/forms/2022Meeting/2022TASProgram.pdf.

Williams, W., D. Eke, J. Jungen, A. Arnold, S. Haruna, Y. Gao, K. O’Brien, T.V. Johnston, M.B. Farone, and S. Ku. 2022. Foodborne pathogen detection via tangential flow/microfilter bioseperation system. Proceedings of the Tennessee Academy of Science. Pp. 38. https://www.tennacadofsci.org/forms/2022Meeting/2022TASProgram.pdf.

Maxwell, R.A., and S. Haruna. 2022. Influence of land management practices on soil hydraulic and thermal properties. MTSU Scholars Week.

Connor, R., C. Hall, and S. Haruna. 2021. Effect of aerated irrigation through subsurface drip irrigation on soil thermal and physical properties. MTSU Scholars Week.

Mitchell-Fostyk, B.A., and S. Haruna. 2020. Effects of land position on soil hydraulic properties. MTSU Scholars Week.

Haruna, S.I., S.H. Anderson, N.V. Nkongolo, and T. Reinbott. 2019. Do biofuel and cover crops affect soil thermal properties? Annual Meetings of the Southern Regional Branch of Agronomy Society of America. Birmingham, AL.

Haruna S.I., N.V. Nkongolo, and S.H. Anderson. 2016. Water infiltration as affected by cover crop and tillage management practices. Annual meetings of the Missouri Academy of Sciences, Jefferson City, MO.

Haruna, S.I., S.H. Anderson, N.V. Nkongolo, and T. Reinbott. 2016. Soil thermal properties influenced by perennial biofuel and cover crops. Soil Science Society of America International Conference, Phoenix, AZ. https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2016am/webprogram/Paper99691.html.

Zaibon, S., S.H. Anderson, N.R. Kitchen, A.L. Thompson, and S.I. Haruna. 2016. Soil water infiltration affected by biofuel and grain crop production systems in claypan landscapes. Soil Science Society of America International Conference, Phoenix, AZ. https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2016am/webprogram/Paper99797.html.

Haruna, S.I., N.V. Nkongolo, and S.H. Anderson. 2015. Cover crop and tillage management influences on in situ field infiltration. Soil Science Society of America International Conference, Minneapolis, MN. https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2015am/webprogram/Paper92306.html.

Haruna, S.I., S.H. Anderson, and N.V., Nkongolo. 2015. Influence of cover crops and tillage management on soil hydraulic properties. Soil Science Society of America International Conference, Minneapolis, MN. https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2015am/webprogram/Paper92305.html

Haruna S.I., and N.V. Nkongolo. 2015. Influence of three years of tillage, cover crop and crop rotation managements on soil nutrients. “Cropping Systems Coordinated Agricultural Project” (CSCAP) Annual Meeting, Nebraska City, NE.

Haruna S.I., and N.V. Nkongolo. 2015. Influence of cover crops on soil water characteristics in a silt loam soil. Annual Meetings of the Missouri Academy of Sciences, St. Joseph, MO.

Haruna S.I., and N.V. Nkongolo. 2015. Soil water characteristics as affected by tillage in a silt loam soil. Annual Meetings of the Kansas Academy of Sciences, Pittsburg, KS.

Haruna S.I., S.H. Anderson, and N.V. Nkongolo. 2014. Cover crop management effects on soil physical and biological properties. Soil and water Conservation Society Meeting, Lombard, IL.  Annual conference abstract book 2014:189. http://www.swcs.org/documents/filelibrary/14ac/Abstract_Book__FINAL_FB7B07FB89022.pdf.

Haruna S.I., and N.V. Nkongolo. 2014. Soil physical properties as affected by tillage, cover crop and crop rotation. Annual Meetings of the Missouri Academy of Sciences, Warrensburg, MO.

Haruna S.I., and N.V. Nkongolo. 2014. The effects of two years of tillage, cover crop and crop rotation on soil chemical properties and nutrients. Annual Meetings of the Missouri Academy of Sciences, Warrensburg, MO.

Haruna S.I., and N.V. Nkongolo. 2012. Spatial variability of soil physical properties in a corn and soybean field. Annual Meetings of the Missouri Academy of Science, Columbia, MO.

Haruna S.I., and N.V. Nkongolo. 2012. Baseline assessment of soil texture in a farmer field. Annual Meetings of the Missouri Academy of Science, Columbia, MO.

Haruna S.I and N.V. Nkongolo. 2012. Distribution of soil carbon and nitrogen in a corn and soybean field. Soil Science Society of America International Conference, Cincinnati, OH. https://scisoc.confex.com/crops/2012am/webprogram/Paper73486.html.

Haruna S.I and N.V. Nkongolo. 2012. Mapping soil chemical properties and nutrient in a corn and soybean field. Soil Science Society of America International Conference, Cincinnati, OH. https://scisoc.confex.com/crops/2012am/webprogram/Paper73188.html.

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In the Media

"'MTSU on the record' discusses planting cover crops to regulate soil temperature". (Feb. 13, 2018). https://mtsunews.com/haruna-on-the-record-feb2018/

“Cover crops shield soil from extreme temps”. The Grand Island Independent Ag. (Nov. 12, 2017). https://www.theindependent.com/agriculture/cover-crops-shield-soil-from-extreme-temps/article_13621ce4-c63e-11e7-a184-77a928e3993d.html.

“Easing the soil’s temperature”. American Society of Agr...

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"'MTSU on the record' discusses planting cover crops to regulate soil temperature". (Feb. 13, 2018). https://mtsunews.com/haruna-on-the-record-feb2018/

“Cover crops shield soil from extreme temps”. The Grand Island Independent Ag. (Nov. 12, 2017). https://www.theindependent.com/agriculture/cover-crops-shield-soil-from-extreme-temps/article_13621ce4-c63e-11e7-a184-77a928e3993d.html.

“Easing the soil’s temperature”. American Society of Agronomy (Nov. 8, 2017). https://www.agronomy.org/science-news/easing-soils-temperature.

“Switchgrass may be option for farmers who have lost topsoil”. Ethanol Producer Magazine. (Dec. 16, 2016).  http://www.ethanolproducer.com/articles/13996/switchgrass-may-be-option-for-farmers-who-have-lost-topsoil. 

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Courses

PLSO 3340: Fundamentals of Soil Science

PLSO 3350: Soil Fertility and Fertilizers

PLSO 4340: Genesis of Soil Landscapes

PLSO 4370: Soil and Water Conservation

PLSO 4730: Soil Physical Properties