Rubab Sarfraz | Fertility Management | Women Researcher Award

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Dr Rubab Sarfraz |  Fertility Management |  Women Researcher Award

Senior Researcher at  Gyeongsang National University, South Korea

Dr. Rubab Sarfraz is a dedicated researcher specializing in soil fertility, plant nutrition, and the modulation of microbial communities through organic amendments. Currently serving as a Research Professor at Gyeongsang National University in Jinju, South Korea, Dr. Sarfraz aims to develop cost-effective and eco-friendly approaches to enhance nutrient utilization efficiency and maximize crop yields using advanced technologies.

Profile:

Professional Background:

Research Professor at Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, South Korea (Since September 2023) Assistant Professor (IPFP) at the University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan (February 2022 – August 2023)

Education:

Ph.D. in Agricultural Resources and Environment from Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, China (2015 – 2020). Her dissertation focused on the effects of spent mushroom substrate biochar and phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria on phosphorus availability and microbial communities in acidic soils. Master of Philosophy in Agriculture from the University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan (2013 – 2015). Her thesis examined the use of biochar to enhance nitrogen use efficiency in maize. Bachelor of Agriculture from the University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan (2009 – 2013).

Research Contributions:

Dr. Sarfraz has published extensively in reputable journals. Her notable works include studies on carbon dioxide emissions from soil, the impact of biochar and phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria on soil health, and biochar-mediated remediation of contaminants. She has also explored the integration of organic amendments to improve nutrient uptake and crop yields..

Skills and Expertise:

  • Conducting field and laboratory experiments
  • Analyzing soil physical and chemical properties
  • Measuring soil enzyme activities
  • Preparing and characterizing biochar
  • Characterizing root systems and crop phenotypes
  • DNA extraction and PCR techniques
  • Operating advanced laboratory instruments

Awards and Recognitions:

Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University Scholarship for Ph.D. studies National Faculty Development Program by the Higher Education Commission, Pakistan Approved Master/PhD Supervisor by the Higher Education Commission, Pakistan

Research Focus: Fertility Management

Soil Fertility and Nutrient Dynamics: Organic Amendments: Investigating the use of biochar and other organic materials to improve soil fertility. Her research explores how biochar, derived from various organic sources such as spent mushroom substrates, can enhance nutrient retention and availability in soils. Microbial Communities: Studying the interaction between organic amendments and soil microbial communities. She aims to understand how these amendments influence microbial activity, which in turn affects nutrient cycling and soil health. Phosphorus Availability: Phosphorus Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB): Evaluating the role of PSB in enhancing phosphorus availability in acidic soils. Her research includes the integration of biochar with PSB to increase phosphorus uptake by plants. Biochar Impact: Assessing the effects of biochar particle sizes and properties on phosphorus dynamics in various soil types. Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE): Biochar and Nitrogen Fertilizers: Investigating the synergistic effects of combining biochar with nitrogen fertilizers to improve NUE in crops like maize. This research is aimed at reducing nitrogen losses and enhancing crop yield. Remediation of Contaminated Soils: Emerging Contaminants: Utilizing biochar and nanomaterials to remediate soils contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons and other pollutants. Her studies focus on how these amendments can reduce the bioavailability and toxicity of contaminants. Soil Enzyme Activities: Impact of Amendments: Measuring the effects of various soil amendments on enzyme activities, which are critical indicators of soil health and fertility. Enzyme activities such as cellulase, urease, and acid phosphatase are monitored to understand soil biochemical changes. Sustainable Agricultural Practices: Eco-friendly Approaches: Developing cost-effective and environmentally sustainable methods for managing soil fertility. Her work emphasizes minimizing chemical fertilizer use and promoting organic alternatives to enhance soil health and crop productivity. Crop Phenotyping: Characterizing root systems and crop phenotypes to link soil management practices with plant growth responses and yield outcomes.

Citations:

 

  • Total Citations: 423
  • Citations Since 2019: 412
  • h-index: 11
  • i10-index: 11

Publication Top Notes:

  1. Role of Biochar and Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria to Enhance Soil Carbon Sequestration—A Review
    • Authors: R. Sarfraz, A. Hussain, A. Sabir, I. Ben Fekih, A. Ditta, S. Xing
    • Journal: Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
    • Year: 2019
    • Citations: 93
  2. Impact of Integrated Application of Biochar and Nitrogen Fertilizers on Maize Growth and Nitrogen Recovery in Alkaline Calcareous Soil
    • Authors: R. Sarfraz, A. Shakoor, M. Abdullah, A. Arooj, A. Hussain, S. Xing
    • Journal: Soil Science and Plant Nutrition
    • Year: 2017
    • Citations: 82
  3. Short Term Effects of Biochar with Different Particle Sizes on Phosphorous Availability and Microbial Communities
    • Authors: R. Sarfraz, W. Yang, S. Wang, B. Zhou, S. Xing
    • Journal: Chemosphere
    • Year: 2020
    • Citations: 54
  4. Dissolved Organic Nitrogen Distribution in Differently Fertilized Paddy Soil Profiles: Implications for its Potential Loss
    • Authors: S. Nie, L. Zhao, X. Lei, R. Sarfraz, S. Xing
    • Journal: Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment
    • Year: 2018
    • Citations: 44
  5. Assessment of Physicochemical and Nutritional Characteristics of Waste Mushroom Substrate Biochar under Various Pyrolysis Temperatures and Times
    • Authors: R. Sarfraz, S. Li, W. Yang, B. Zhou, S. Xing
    • Journal: Sustainability
    • Year: 2019
    • Citations: 37
  6. Silicon-Mediated Improvement in Tolerance of Economically Important Crops under Drought Stress
    • Authors: Z. Pang, M. Tayyab, W. Islam, M.W.K. Tarin, R. Sarfaraz, H. Naveed, S. Zaman
    • Journal: Applied Ecology & Environmental Research
    • Year: 2019
    • Citations: 22
  7. Integrated Application of Organic Amendments with Alcaligenes sp. AZ9 Improves Nutrient Uptake and Yield of Maize (Zea mays)
    • Authors: A. Hussain, M. Ahmad, M.Z. Mumtaz, S. Ali, R. Sarfraz, M. Naveed, M. Jamil
    • Journal: Journal of Plant Growth Regulation
    • Year: 2020
    • Citations: 21
  8. Effects of Bamboo Biochar Amendment on the Growth and Physiological Characteristics of Fokienia Hodginsii
    • Authors: M.W.K. Tarin, L. Fan, M. Tayyab, R. Sarfraz, L. Chen, T. He, J. Rong, Y. Zheng
    • Journal: Applied Ecology & Environmental Research
    • Year: 2018
    • Citations: 20