Eric Paterson

Root Physiologist / Biochemist
Ecological Sciences
T: +44 (0)344 928 5428 (*)

Eric has more than 25 years’ experience of working on plant-soil interactions in the context of sustainable crop production systems, soil health and mitigation of environmental impacts. His group have developed novel stable isotope approaches that allow quantification of plant-mediated impacts on soil C and N cycling processes, identifying the importance of these interactions in the contexts of soil GHG exchanges and nutrient supply in semi-natural and agroecosystems. Most recently he has applied these approaches to study interactions between plant genotype, management and environment (G x M x E) in UK, European and African agricultural systems, to optimise of crop production, while fostering the sustainability of the soil resource. He is a Subject Editor for the journals Plant & Soil and Soil Biology & Biochemistry, and has more than 90 ISI listed publications (WoK h-index = 34). His research has been supported by Scottish Government, BBSRC, NERC, British Council, EU and industry. He currently co-ordinates Soils research within the Scottish Government Strategic Research Programme, is a board member of the NERC Soils Training and Research Studentships CDP (STARS) and has served as a review panel member for NERC, BBSRC and international research funders.

Research

The research group has developed novel methodologies for continuous, steady-state 13CO2-labelling of plants that enable quantification of plant-derived C-fluxes to soil and to the various components of the soil biota (e.g. via compound-specific 13C-analysis of PLFA biomarkers). A key advantage of the continuous labelling approach is that isotopic mass balance can be applied to quantify turnover of soil organic matter in intact systems (i.e. including plants), such that the biological controls of soil organic matter mineralisation can be studied. A current research priority of the group is to investigate the interactions between plant-derived C-fluxes to soil and microbially mediated turnover of native soil organic matter. These interactions are being studied in the contexts of:

  1. the responses of soils to land use and environmental change (e.g. potential feedbacks to GHG-mediated climate forcing), and
  2. the sustainable productivity of agricultural systems (e.g. understanding the controls of productivity in low-input systems and optimising the use of organic amendments as fertiliser replacements).

Current research projects

  • BBSRC GCRF Foundation Award BB/P022936/1 (2017-2021): Exploiting the potential of genotype microbiome interactions to promote sustainable soil health in southern Africa. (£532k, Hutton PI).
  • BBSRC GCRF Sustainable Agriculture for Sub-Saharan Africa BBR020590/1 (2018-2022): Science-driven Evaluation of Legume Choice for Transformed livelihoods (£1.8M; Hutton PI).
  • BBSRC GCRF BB/T012552/1 (2020-2022): Africa SOIL: Soil Organic matter Improves Livelihoods (£250k, Hutton PI).
  • NERC CDP NE/M009106/1 (2017-2022): Soils Training and Research Studentships (£2.3M, Co-I)
  • PhD project, Walsh Foundation (2018-2022) Linking microbially mediated soil organic matter turnover to N availability in agricultural soils.
  • PhD project, Gatsby Foundation (2018-2022) Impacts of maize-legume intercropping on rhizosphere C:N:P stoichiometry and nutrient availability.
  • PhD project, Joint Studentship Programme (2019-2023) The interactions of plant, microbial and physico-chemical controls on carbon and nutrient cycling in the rhizosphere.

Publications

The following Publications have not yet been migrated to the James Hutton Institute's Pure service and relate to the research outputs from the two legacy organisations: The Macaulay Land Use Research Institute and The Scottish Crop Research Institute.

Journals

Prior to appointment

  • Paterson, E.; Kemp, J.S.; Gammack, S.M.; FitzPatrick, .A.; Cresser, M.S.; Mullins, C.E.; Killham, K. (1993) The movemnet of genetically modified bacteria through soil influence of soil type., Biology and Fertility of Soils, 15, 308-314.
  • Kemp, J.S.; Paterson, E.; Gammack, S.M.; Killham, K.; Cresser, M.S. (1992) Leaching of genetically modified Pseudomonas fluorescens through organic soils influence of temperature, soil pH, and roots., Biology and Fertility of Soils, 13, 218-224.

Books / chapters

  • Balesdent, J.; Ciavatta, C.; Dennis, P.; Finlay, R.; Gessa, C.E.; Gioacchini, P.; Hacin, J.; Hodge, A.; Jones, D.; Killham, K.; Kuzyakov, Y.; Lecomte, A.; Minchin, P.E.H.; Nguyen, C.; Paterson, E.; Robin, C.; Schweizer, P.; Standing, D. (2007) Element cycling and organic matter turnover., In: Luster, J.F.R. (ed.). Handbook of Methods Used in Rhizosphere Research. Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Birmensdorf, 333-359. ISBN: 3-905621-35-5
  • Paterson, E.; Rattray, E.A.S.; Killham, K. (1995) Rhizosphere ecophysiology., The Encyclopaedia of Environmental Biology, 3, pp237-245. Academic Press, New York.

Technical / contract reports

  • Paterson, E.; Owen, J. (2011) Report on the analysis of crushed granite sample for elemental concentration, aqueous extractable elements, and C and N, Total C and N, extractable nitrate, loss on ignition, particle size distribution and ecotoxicity., Report for Cloburn Quarry Company Ltd.
  • Paterson, E.; Campbell, C.D.; Coull, M.C.; Shand, C.A. (2011) Geochemical atlas for Scottish topsoils., The Macaulay Land Use Research Institute, Aberdeen, 43pp.ISBN 978-0-902701-007
  • Paterson, E. (2010) Copper in soils: potential impacts of distillery co-product applications to land., Report for Helius Energy PLC.
  • Owen, J.; Paterson, E. (2010) Report on drill cuttings for leachable and total elemental composition, particle size distribution and initial biological testing., Report for Chevron Energy Technology Company.
  • Paterson, E. (2009) Pot trials of soil conditioner formulations., Report for Helius Energy plc.

Conference papers

  • Paterson, E. (2011) Soil structure, biology and organic matter., Scottish Society of Crop Research Annual Meeting, Battleby, Perth, 24 February 2011.
  • Baggs, E.; Chadwick, K.; Giles, M.; Freitag, T.; Paterson, E. (2011) How strong is the coupling between plant C-flow and rhizosphere denitrification?, Rhizosphere 3 International Conference, Perth, Australia, 25-30 September 2011.
  • Chadwick, K.L.; Paterson, E.; Prosser, J.I.; Baggs, E.A. (2009) Is it plant – or soil-derived carbon that drives denitrification?, Scottish Root Group Meeting, Macaulay Land Use Research Institute, Aberdeen, 3 November 2009.
  • Chadwick, K.L.; Paterson, E.; Prosser, J.I.; Baggs, E.A. (2009) Is it plant – or soil-derived carbon that drives denitrification?, Nitrogen Cycling Meeting, 14th, Alicante, Spain, 16-18 September 2009.
  • Tandy, S.; Brittain, S.; McLeod, C.; Paterson, E.; Tomos, A.D. (2009) An intereaction between root acidic exudates and DU shrapnel in contaminated soil measured at mm resolution., COGER Meeting, Warrington, 6-8 April 2009.
  • Sanguin, H.; Zysko, A.; Smith, A.; Singh, B.K.; Paterson, E.; Kertesz, M.A. (2008) Assessment of Pseudomonas biofilm gene expression in phosphorus limited environments., Molecular Microbial Group Meeting.
  • Dawson, L.A.; Murray, P.J.; Vaisanen, K.; Duff, E.I.; Ross, J.M.; Grayston, S.J.; Treonis, A.M.; Macdonald, L.M.; Paterson, E. (2005) Soil nutrient supply and herbivory influence grass root longevity., International Plant Nutrition Colloquium, XV, Beijing, The People’s Republic of China, 14-19 September 2005. Oral presentation.
  • Midwood, A.J.; Paterson, E. and Thornton, B. (2002) Steady-state 13C labeling of Lolium perenne (ryegrass): comparison of plant with root exudate isotope signatures., The 9th Canadian Continuous-Flow Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry Workshop, University of Newfoundland, St John’s Newfoundland, August 25-28, 2002, p3.8
  • Dawson, L.A.; Grayston, S.J.; Murray, P.J.; Cook, R.; Gange, A.C.; Paterson, E.; Treonis, A.M.; Ross, J.M.; Reid, E.J.; Pratt, S.M. (2000) Influence of above-and-below ground herbivory on root functioning and dynamics in upland grassland and consequences for the rhizosphere., Proceedings of the British Grassland Society, 6th Research Conference, Aberdeen, 11-13 September 2000.
  • Dawson, L.A.; Grayston, S.J.; Murray, P.J.; Paterson, E.; Treonis, A.M. (2000) Influence of herbivory on root system morphology and dynamics in upland grassland., British Grassland Society Research Conference, 6th, SAC, Aberdeen, 11-13 September 2000.
  • Paterson, E. and Macdonald, L.M. (2000) Influence of N-supply and defoliation on rhizodeposition from grasses., Annual Meeting of the Society for Experimental Biology, University of Exeter, 27-31 March 2000.
  • Darwent, M.J.; McDonald, J.; Paterson, E. and Tomos, D. (1999) Effects of leaf (NO3-) on the quality of root exudates., XVI International Botanical Congress, St Louis, USA. (Abstracts).
  • Rattray, E.A.S.; Paterson, E. and Killham, K. (1995) Implications of increasing atmospheric CO2 concentration on rhizosphere carbon flow., Journal of Experimental Botany, 46, p58.

Conference posters / abstracts

  • Ghee, C.; Paterson, E.; Hallett, P.D.; Neilson, R.; Robinson, D. (2011) Centre for Sustainable Cropping; The future viability of contrasting farm systems., Scottish Root Discussion Group, SAC, Edinburgh, 2 November 2011. (Poster and oral presentation)
  • Ghee, C.; Paterson, E. (2011) Soil carbon management for sustainable farming; To conserve or consume?, University of Aberdeen Research Day, 9 December 2011.
  • Thornton, B.; Huai-ying, Y.; Paterson, E. (2011) Utilisation of rice photosynthate by soil micro-organisms is affected by soil water status., Stable Isotopes Mass Spectrometry User Group Meeting 2011, Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster, 23-24 November 2011.
  • Ghee, C.; Paterson, E.; Neilson, R.; Hallett, P.D.; Robinson, D. (2011) Examining soil carbon dynamics to enhance sustainable agricultural management., Presented at Root-Soil-Microbe-Interactions Workshop, SLU University, Sweden, 28 January 2011. Poster and oral presentation.
  • Hallett, P.D.; Caul, S.; Daniell, T.J.; Barre, P.; Paterson, E. (2010) The rheology of rhizosphere formation by root exudates and soil microbes., Proceedings of the 19th World Congress of Soil Science, Brisbane, Australia, 1-6 August 2010. (Poster)
  • Palacio, S.; Paterson, E.; Sim, A.; Hester, A.J.; Millard, P. (2010) Browsing effects on intra-ring C allocation in oak and birch saplings., Stable Isotopes and Biogeochemical Cycles in Terrestrial Ecosystems -Coupling Plant and Soil Processes Across Spatial and Temporal Scales, Conference at the Centro Stefano Franscini, Monte Verita, Switzerland, 21-26 March 2010.
  • Kertesz, M.A.; Zysko, A.; Sanguin, H.; Singh, B.K.; Paterson, E. (2010) Life in a starved rhizosphere – molecular analysis of Pseudomonas- lolium perenne ecosystem responses to phosphate or nitrate limitation., International Symposium on Microbial Ecology (ISME), 13th, Seattle, WA, USA, 22-27 August 2010.
  • Grelet, G.-A.; Johnson, D.; Paterson, E.; Anderson, I.C.; Alexander, I.J. (2008) Functional bridges linking pine trees and ericaceous shrubs., New Phytologist Symposium, 21st, CEFE-CNRS, Montpellier, France, 10-12 December 2008.
  • Andrist-Rangel, Y.; Lilly, A.; Towers, W.; Edwards, A.C.; Oborn, I.; Hillier, S.; Paterson, E. (2008) Mineralogical speciation of soil potassium – a basis for sustainable management options for grassland soils, Eurosoil 2008, Soil-Society-Environment. Session: Potassium, Liming and Wastes. Conference Proceedings, Vienna, Austria, 25-29 August 2008.
  • Zysko, A.; Sanguin, H.; Singh, B.K.; Paterson, E.; Keretesz, M.A. (2008) Molecular responses of pseudomonas aeruginosa 7NSK2 to phosphate deficiency in the rhizosphere., International Symposium on Microbial Ecology (ISME -12), 12th, Cairns, Australia, 17-22 August 2008.
  • Grelet, G.-A.; Vralstad, T.; Johnson, D.; Paterson, E.; Alexander, I.; Anderson, I. (2008) The search for shared fungal symbionts between pine and vaccinum., International Symposium on Microbial Ecology 12th (ISME 12), Cairns, Australia, 17-22 August 2008.
  • Zysko, A.; Sanguin, H.; Singh, B.K.; Paterson, E.; Keretesz, M.A. (2008) Molecular responses of Pseudomonas aeruginosa 7NSKZ to phosphate deficiency in the rhizosphere., Society of General Microbiology Annual Meeting, Edinburgh, March 2008.
  • Sanguin, H.; Zysko, A.; Paterson, E.; Singh, B.; Keretesz, M. (2008) Effects of phosphate limitation on Pseudomonas biofilms – biofilm formation and gene expression., Society of General Microbiology Annual Meeting, Edinburgh, March 2008.
  • Thornton, B.; Gebbing, T.; Midwood, A.; Paterson, E. (2007) Application of compound-specific 13C-IRMS to trace the fate of plant-derived C in soil microbial communities., Stable Isotope Mass Spectrometry User Group (SIMSUG), University of Newcastle, 20-22 June 2007.
  • Griffiths, B.S.; Paterson, E.; Ball, B. (2007) Soil biodiversity and ecosystem function., Making Scotland’s Rural Environment More Sustainable, Royal Society of Edinburgh, 25 June 2007.
  • Brittain, S.; Tomos, A.D.; Bramall, N.; Cox, A.G.; McLeod, C.W.; Paterson, E.; Siripinyanond, A.; Barnes, R.M.; Amarasiriwardena, D. (2007) Elemental and isotopic studies on uranium contaminated soils – use of flow injection and field flow fractionation techniques., European Plasma Conference, Taormina, Italy, 18-23 February 2007.
  • Brittain, S.; Tomos, D.; McLeod, C.; Paterson, E. (2006) An analysis of soil DU behaviour at very fine spatial scale., MoD Depleted Uranium Workshop, London, 1-3 March 2006.
  • Brittain, S.; Paterson, E.; McLeod, C.; Tomos, E. (2006) Potential for root exudate-mediated mobilisation of DU in the rhizosphere., MoD Depleted Uranium Workshop, London, 1-3 March 2006.
  • Thornton, B.; Osborne, S.M.; Paterson, E.; Cash, P. (2005) Changes in protein expression in Lolium perenne roots o switching from an inorganic to organic N supply., Society for Experimental Biology, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain, 11-15 July 2005. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Vol 141A, pS254-S255. Abstract.
  • Thornton, B.; Paterson, E.; Sim, A.; Tyler, M.R.; Gebbing, T. (2005) Carbon flux to rhizodeposition in Scots pine seedlings., Society for Experimental Biology, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain, 11-15 July 2005. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Vol 141A, pS224. Abstract.

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