Elham Nouri | Soil organic | Young Scientist Award

Dr Elham Nouri |  Soil organic |  Young Scientist Award

Elham Nouri at  Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands of Iran

Elham Nouri is a distinguished researcher specializing in soil biology, chemistry, and physics, with a particular focus on Arbuscular Mycorrhizae (AM) symbiosis. She has led and collaborated on numerous national projects, developed expertise in DNA extraction and molecular identification of fungi, and excelled in laboratory troubleshooting and quality control. Her research has been recognized with multiple publications and international conference participations, including a 6-month study stint in the Czech Republic.

Profile:

Education:

  • Ph.D. in Natural Resources Engineering – Combat with Desertification, Semnan University, Iran (2014-2019)
    • Thesis: Soil biological indicators and mycorrhizal establishment in Salsola laricina
  • M.Sc. in Natural Resources Engineering – Combat with Desertification, Semnan University, Iran (2012-2014)
    • Thesis: Oak wilt and heavy metal biomonitoring
  • B.Sc. in Rangeland and Watershed Management, University of Malayer, Iran (2007-2011)
    • Thesis: Drought characteristics in Ilam province

Research Interests:

  • Arbuscular mycorrhizae symbiosis
  • Soil organic carbon and nitrogen dynamics
  • DNA extraction and molecular identification of AM fungi
  • Soil enzymes and microbial activity
  • Soil and plant properties

Skills:

  • Proficient in R, SPSS, Excel, Photoshop, Canoco5, DIVA-GIS, Maxent, GPS
  • Experienced in laboratory procedures for plant and soil analysis

Publication Top Notes:

  • Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Benefits in Drought-Stressed Plants
  • Impact of Fire and Seasonal Changes on Soil Properties
  • Effect of Wild Pistachio Trees on Soil Quality
  • Soil Carbon Sequestration and Soil Properties
  • Effect of Spate Irrigation and Tree Planting on Soil Quality
  • Grazing Effects on Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Diversity
  • Symbiosis of Mycorrhizal Fungi and Salsola laricina
  • Heavy Metals in Dusts and Their Absorption by Oak
  • Flood Spreading and Vegetation Type on Soil Indices
  • Leaf Nutrients in Healthy vs. Withered Trees
  • Grazing Management and Mycorrhizal Symbiosis
  • Mycorrhiza and Soil Enzymatic Activities Modulated by Grazing
  • Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Soil in Forests
  • Prosopis Species Effect on Soil Quality
  • Diversity and Symbiosis of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi
  • Improving Juniperus Excelsa Seedling Growth with Mycorrhizal Fungi

 

Palo Francis Loke | Soil Organic | Best Researcher Award

Dr Palo Francis Loke |  Soil Organic |  Best Researcher Award

Lecturer/Researcher at  University of the Free State, South Africa

Dr. PF Loke is a distinguished Soil Scientist specializing in soil chemistry, fertility, and plant nutrition. He earned his PhD in Soil Science (Chemistry) from the University of the Free State (UFS) in 2018, following his MSc Agric. in Soil Science (Fertility and Plant Nutrition) in 2012, and a BSc Agric. Hons in Soil Science in 2010 from the same institution. He also holds a BSc Agric. from the National University of Lesotho (NUL), completed in 2005. Dr. Loke has a robust teaching portfolio, presenting courses such as SOIL 4814 and SOIL 2674. His research interests focus on carbon and nutrient cycling, soil organic matter storage, and plant nutrition. As a member of the Soil Science Society of South Africa (SSSSA), Dr. Loke actively contributes to the advancement of soil science. His extensive publication record includes influential journal articles on soil organic matter storage, aggregate dynamics, and the effects of long-term agricultural practices on soil health in semi-arid regions. Dr. Loke’s work has been published in reputable journals like Agriculture, South African Journal of Plant and Soil, Soil Research, Geoderma, and the Soil Science Society of America Journal.

Profile:

Qualifications:

  • PhD in Soil Science (Chemistry), University of the Free State (UFS), 2013-2018
  • MSc Agric. in Soil Science (Fertility and Plant Nutrition), UFS, 2010-2012
  • BSc Agric. Hons in Soil Science, UFS, 2009-2010
  • BSc Agric., National University of Lesotho (NUL), 2001-2005

📈 Citation Index:

  • Total Citations: 162 (124 since 2019)
  • h-index: 8 (since 2019)
  • i10-index: 5 (since 2019)

Research Focus: Soil Organic

Dr. P.F. Loke’s research primarily revolves around soil organic matter dynamics, with a strong emphasis on carbon and nutrient cycling, soil organic matter storage, and plant nutrition. His work involves investigating how different agricultural practices influence soil health and fertility, particularly in semi-arid regions.

📄 Publication:
  • Soil Organic Matter Storage in Irrigated Tsitsikamma Dairy Farms with Minimum Tilled Pasture Mixtures: Case Studies
    Agriculture 12(6):858, 2022.
    Contributors: P.F. Loke, E. Kotzé, C. Du Preez
    DOI: 10.3390/agriculture12060858
    Source: Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute
  • Changes in Soil Organic Matter Indices Following 32 Years of Different Wheat Production Management Practices in Semi-Arid South Africa
    Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 94:97-109, 2012.
    Contributors: P.F. Loke, E. Kotzé, C.C. Du Preez
    DOI: 10.1007/s10705-012-9529-7
  • Land Use Change Affecting Soil Humic Substances in Three Semi-Arid Agro-Ecosystems in South Africa
    Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 216:194-202, 2016.
    Contributors: E. Kotzé, P.F. Loke, M.C. Akhosi-Setaka, C.C. Du Preez
    DOI: 10.1016/j.agee.2015.10.007
  • Impact of Long-Term Wheat Production Management Practices on Soil Acidity, Phosphorus, and Some Micronutrients in a Semi-Arid Plinthosol
    Soil Research 51(5):415-426, 2013.
    Contributors: P.F. Loke, E. Kotzé, C.C. Du Preez
    DOI: 10.1071/SR12359
  • Long-Term Effects of Wheat Production Management Practices on Exchangeable Base Cations and Cation Exchange Capacity of a Plinthosol in Semi-Arid South Africa
    Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis 45(8):1083-1105, 2014.
    Contributors: P.F. Loke, E. Kotzé, C.C. Du Preez
    DOI: 10.1080/00103624.2013.867060
  • Long-Term Effects of Wheat Production Management Practices on Some Carbon Fractions of a Semiarid Plinthustalfs
    Soil Research 56(6):601-614, 2018.
    Contributors: P.F. Loke, E. Kotzé, C.C. Du Preez, L. Twigge
    DOI: 10.1071/SR18050
  • Long-Term Wheat Production Management Effects on Soil Fertility Indicators in the Semi-Arid Eastern Free State, South Africa
    South African Journal of Plant and Soil 38(2):93-106, 2021.
    Contributors: P.F. Loke, J.J. Schimper, E. Kotzé, C.C. Du Preez
    DOI: 10.1080/02571862.2020.1858512
  • Cross-Rangeland Comparisons on Soil Carbon Dynamics in the Pedoderm of Semi-Arid and Arid South African Commercial Farms
    Geoderma 381:114689, 2021.
    Contributors: P.F. Loke, E. Kotzé, C.C. Du Preez, L. Twigge
    DOI: 10.1016/j.geoderma.2020.114689
  • Dynamics of Soil Carbon Concentrations and Quality Induced by Agricultural Land Use in Central South Africa
    Soil Science Society of America Journal 83(2):366-379, 2019.
    Contributors: P.F. Loke, E. Kotzé, C.C. Du Preez, L. Twigge
    DOI: 10.2136/sssaj2018.11.0423
  • Response of Soil Organic Matter Indices and Fractions After 37 Years of Wheat Production Management Practices in Semi-Arid South Africa
    South African Journal of Plant and Soil 37(2):136-143, 2020.
    Contributors: T. Motema, E. Kotzé, P.F. Loke, C.C. Du Preez
    DOI: 10.1080/02571862.2019.1698777

 

Jiri Holatko | Soil | Best Researcher Award

Dr Jiri Holatko | Soil | Best Researcher Award

Senior Researcher at  Mendel University in Brno, Czech Republic

Jiří Holátko holds a Ph.D. in Microbiology from Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic (2009) and an MSc. in Microbiology from the same institution (2002). Currently a senior researcher at Mendel University in Brno, Czech Republic, since 2018, Jiří previously served as the head of Testing Laboratory and researcher at Agrovyzkum Rapotin Ltd., Czech Republic (2016-2018), and held various positions at the Institute of Microbiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague (1999-2016). His research focuses on soil microbiology, agricultural sustainability, and transcriptional regulation in bacteria. Jiří has participated in several research projects, received awards, including the Best Czech and Slovak Young Microbiologist 2009 Award, and is a member of the Czechoslovak Society for Microbiology.

Profile

 

Education:

  • Ph.D. in Microbiology, Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic, 2009
  • MSc. in Microbiology, Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic, 2002

Projects Participation:

  • Optimization of subsidy for agricultural land afforestation
  • Innovation of maize cropping systems using intercrops
  • Promoting functional diversity of soil organisms
  • Application systems of liquid organic fertilizers
  • Transcriptional regulatory network(s) in C. glutamicum

Awards:

  • Best Czech and Slovak Young Microbiologist 2009, Czechoslovak Society for Microbiology

Memberships:

  • Committee Member, Czechoslovak Society for Microbiology

Research Focus:

Jiří Holátko’s research focus includes Soil Microbiology, Agricultural Sustainability, and Transcriptional Regulation in Soil Organisms.

Citations:
  • Citations: 1,640 citations by 1,345 documents.
  • Documents: 86 documents have cited the researcher’s work.
  • h-index: 17

📄 Publication:

  • The effect of chelating agents on the Zn-phytoextraction potential of hemp and soil microbial activity – Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture, 2024.
  • Biodegradation of poly-3-hydroxybutyrate after soil inoculation with microbial consortium: Soil microbiome and plant responses to the changed environment – Science of the Total Environment, 2024.
  • Long-term effects of wheat continuous cropping vs wheat in crop rotation on carbon content and mineralisation, aggregate stability, biological activity, and crop yield – European Journal of Agronomy, 2024.
  • The Interaction of Microplastics and Microbioplastics with Soil and a Comparison of Their Potential to Spread Pathogens – Applied Sciences (Switzerland), 2024.
  • Does poly-3-hydroxybutyrate biodegradation affect the quality of soil organic matter? – Chemosphere, 2024.
  • Combined biochar and manure addition to an agricultural soil benefits fertility, microbial activity, and mitigates manure-induced CO2 emissions – Soil Use and Management, 2024.
  • Effect of Mycotoxins in Silage on Biogas Production – Bioengineering, 2023.
  • The Role of Biochar Co-Pyrolyzed with Sawdust and Zeolite on Soil Microbiological and Physicochemical Attributes, Crop Agronomic, and Ecophysiological Performance – Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 2023.
  • Pre-activated biochar by fertilizers mitigates nutrient leaching and stimulates soil microbial activity – Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture, 2023.
  • Time-dependent impact of co-matured manure with elemental sulfur and biochar on the soil agro-ecological properties and plant biomass – Scientific Reports, 2023.