Mohammad Reza Pahlavan Rad | Soil Science | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Mohammad Reza Pahlavan Rad | Soil Science | Best Researcher Award

Agricultural Research Education And Extension Organization (AREEO), Iran

Dr. Mohammad Reza Pahlavan-Rad is an Associate Professor at the Soil and Water Research Department of AREEO, Gorgan, Iran. He holds a Ph.D. in Soil Science from Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, with a specialization in digital soil mapping, soil salinity, and machine learning applications in soil science.

Profile:

🎓 Education:

  • Ph.D. in Soil Science, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources (2014)
    Thesis: Mapping and Updating Soil Map Using Random Forest and Multinomial Logistic Regression

  • M.S. in Soil Science, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources (2006)
    Thesis: Effects of Irrigation Systems on Soil Moisture, Salinity, and Nutrient Uptake in Wheat

  • B.S. in Soil Science, Guilan University (1998)

👨‍🏫 Academic Positions:

  • Associate Professor, Dept. of Soil Science (2023–Present)

  • Assistant Professor, Dept. of Soil Science (2014–2023)

🔬 Research Focus:

Dr. Pahlavan-Rad’s work specializes in digital soil mapping, soil salinity modeling, soil texture and organic carbon prediction, and application of machine learning (e.g., Random Forest, MLR) in soil science. His regional expertise includes arid and floodplain landscapes in Iran and collaborative research in Europe, particularly the Czech Republic.

Citation Metrics:

  • Total Citations: 1,132

  • Citations Since 2020: 833

  • h-index: 13 (since 2020: 12)

  • i10-index: 15 (since 2020: 14)

Publication Top Notes:

  • Updating Soil Survey Maps Using Random Forest and Conditioned Latin Hypercube Sampling in the Loess Derived Soils of Northern Iran
    Geoderma, 232, 97–106. (2014)

  • Development and Analysis of the Soil Water Infiltration Global Database
    Earth System Science Data, 10(3), 1237–1263. (2018)

  • Response of Wheat Plants to Zinc, Iron, and Manganese Applications and Uptake and Concentration of Zinc, Iron, and Manganese in Wheat Grains
    Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 40(7–8), 1322–1332. (2009)

  • Spatial Variability of Soil Texture Fractions and pH in a Flood Plain (Case Study from Eastern Iran)
    Catena, 160, 275–281. (2018)

  • Application of Artificial Neural Networks to Predict the Final Fruit Weight and Random Forest to Select Important Variables in Native Population of Melon (Cucumis melo L.)
    Scientia Horticulturae, 181, 108–112. (2015)

  • Prediction of Soil Water Infiltration Using Multiple Linear Regression and Random Forest in a Dry Flood Plain, Eastern Iran
    Catena, 194, 104715. (2020)

  • Legacy Soil Maps as a Covariate in Digital Soil Mapping: A Case Study from Northern Iran
    Geoderma, 279, 141–148. (2016)

  • Predicting Regional Spatial Distribution of Soil Texture in Floodplains Using Remote Sensing Data: A Case of Southeastern Iran
    Catena, 182, 104149. (2019)

  • Predicting Soil Organic Carbon Concentrations in a Low Relief Landscape, Eastern Iran
    Geoderma Regional, 15, e00195. (2018)

  • Digital Soil Mapping of Deltaic Soils: A Case of Study from Hirmand (Helmand) River Delta
    Geoderma, 313, 233–240. (2018)

  • Effects of Potassium Rates and Irrigation Regimes on Yield of Forage Sorghum in Arid Regions
    International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research, 6(4), 207–212. (2015)

  • Digital Soil Mapping Using Random Forest Model in Golestan Province
    Journal of Water and Soil Conservation, 21(6), 73–93. (2015)

  • Prediction of Soil Properties Using Random Forest with Sparse Data in a Semi-Active Volcanic Mountain
    Eurasian Soil Science, 53(9), 1222–1233. (2020)

  • Effects of Application of Zn, Fe and Mn on Yield, Yield Component, Nutrient Concentration and Uptake in Wheat Grain
    Pajouhesh & Sazandegi, 79, 142–150. (2008)

  • Nutrient Uptake, Soil and Plant Nutrient Contents, and Yield Components of Wheat Plants Under Different Planting Systems and Various Irrigation Frequencies
    Journal of Plant Nutrition, 34(8), 1133–1143. (2011)

  • Application of Generalized Additive Model and Classification and Regression Tree to Estimate Potential Habitat Distribution of Range Plant Species (Case Study: Khazri …)
    Iranian Journal of Range and Desert Research, 27(3), 561–576. (2020)

  • Application of Random Forest Method for Predicting Soil Classes in Low Relief Lands (Case Study: Hirmand County)
    Journal of Water and Soil Conservation, 24(1), 67–84. (2017)

  • Spatial Prediction of WRB Soil Classes in an Arid Floodplain Using Multinomial Logistic Regression and Random Forest Models, South-East of Iran
    Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 13, 1–11. (2020)

  • Digital Soil Mapping of Soil Classes in Floodplain and Low Relief Lands (Case Study: Hirmand County)
    Journal of Water and Soil Resources Conservation, 9(4), 107–120. (2020)

  • Digital Soil Mapping Using Machine Learning-Based Methods to Predict Soil Organic Carbon in Two Different Districts in the Czech Republic
    Soil & Water Research, 19(1). (2024)

  • Predicting Spatial Variability of Soil Salinity and Clay Content Using Geostatistics and Artificial Neural Networks Methods (Short Technical Report)
    Journal of Soil Management and Sustainable Production, 6(1), 247–254. (2016)

  • Responses of Wheat Plants in Terms of Soil Water Content, Bulk Density, Salinity, and Root Growth Under Different Planting Systems and Various Irrigation Frequencies
    Journal of Plant Nutrition, 33(6), 874–888. (2010)

  • Digital Modeling of Surface and Subsurface Soil Salinity in Golestan Province, Iran
    Geoderma Regional, 37, e00800. (2024)

  • Modeling Wheat Yield Using Some Soil Properties at the Field Scale (Case Study: Sistan Dam Research Farm, University of Zabol)
    Agricultural Engineering, 44(1), 81–95. (2021)

  • Preparation of Three-Dimensional Maps of Soil Particle Size Fractions by Combining Quantile Regression Forest Algorithm and Spline Depth Function in Golestan Province
    Iranian Journal of Soil and Water Research, 55(1), 51–68. (2024)

 

Subhan Danish | Soil Science | Best Researcher Award

Dr Subhan Danish |  Soil Science | Best Researcher Award

Senior Scientist at Pesticide Quality Control Laboratory, Pakistan

Dr. Subhan Danish is a renowned agricultural researcher and Senior Scientist specializing in Soil Science. With a Ph.D. in Agriculture (Soil Science) from Bahauddin Zakariya University (BZU), Multan, he has achieved notable academic milestones, including a Gold Medal for his M.Sc. (Hons.) and numerous awards.

Profile:

Education:

  • Ph.D. in Agriculture (Soil Science): BZU, Multan (2014–2020).
  • M.Sc. (Hons.) in Agriculture (Soil Science): BZU, Multan (Gold Medalist, 2012–2014).
  • B.Sc. (Hons.) in Agriculture (Soil Science): BZU, Multan (2008–2012).

Key Achievements:

  • Ranked among the World’s Top 2% Scientists (2022-2024, Stanford University).
  • Editor of influential books, including Sustainable Agriculture Reviews 61 (Springer Nature) and Updates on Organic Farming (IntechOpen).
  • Guest lecturer at leading institutions such as Mendel University, Czech Republic, and Ankara University, Turkey.

Professional Memberships:

  • International Society of Soil Science.
  • American Society of Agronomy.

Research Focus:

Dr. Danish’s research spans:

  • Sustainable agriculture and soil fertility.
  • Climate change adaptation in crop production.
  • Biochar applications and non-coding RNA in plants.

Citations:

Citations: 7,981 (7,604 since 2020)
h-index: 49 (47 since 2020)
i10-index: 153 (151 since 2020)

Publication Top Notes : 

  • Coupling phosphate-solubilizing bacteria with phosphorus supplements improve maize phosphorus acquisition and growth under lime induced salinity stress
    M Adnan, S Fahad, M Zamin, S Shah, IA Mian, S Danish, M Zafar-ul-Hye, …
    Plants 9 (7), 900
    294 citations, 2020
  • Co-application of ACC-deaminase producing PGPR and timber-waste biochar improves pigments formation, growth and yield of wheat under drought stress
    S Danish, M Zafar-ul-Hye
    Scientific Reports 9 (1), 5999
    227 citations, 2019
  • Sustainable management with mycorrhizae and phosphate solubilizing bacteria for enhanced phosphorus uptake in calcareous soils
    F Wahid, S Fahad, S Danish, M Adnan, Z Yue, S Saud, MH Siddiqui, …
    Agriculture 10 (8), 334
    217 citations, 2020
  • A critical review of the possible adverse effects of biochar in the soil environment
    M Brtnicky, R Datta, J Holatko, L Bielska, ZM Gusiatin, J Kucerik, …
    Science of the Total Environment 796, 148756
    209 citations, 2021
  • Application of Single Superphosphate with Humic Acid Improves the Growth, Yield and Phosphorus Uptake of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in Calcareous Soil
    M Izhar Shafi, M Adnan, S Fahad, F Wahid, A Khan, Z Yue, S Danish, …
    Agronomy 10 (9), 1224
    208 citations, 2020
  • ACC-deaminase producing plant growth promoting rhizobacteria and biochar mitigate adverse effects of drought stress on maize growth
    S Danish, M Zafar-ul-Hye, F Mohsin, M Hussain
    PLoS One 15 (4), e0230615
    203 citations, 2020
  • Drought Stress Alleviation by ACC Deaminase Producing Achromobacter xylosoxidans and Enterobacter cloacae, with and without Timber Waste Biochar in Maize
    S Danish, M Zafar-ul-Hye, S Fahad, S Saud, M Brtnicky, …
    Sustainability 12 (15), 6286
    183 citations, 2020
  • Potential role of compost mixed biochar with rhizobacteria in mitigating lead toxicity in spinach
    M Zafar-ul-Hye, M Tahzeeb-ul-Hassan, M Abid, S Fahad, M Brtnicky, …
    Scientific Reports 10 (1), 12159
    182 citations, 2020
  • The soil pH and heavy metals revealed their impact on soil microbial community
    M Naz, Z Dai, S Hussain, M Tariq, S Danish, IU Khan, S Qi, D Du
    Journal of Environmental Management 321, 115770
    180 citations, 2022
  • ACC Deaminase Producing PGPR Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and Agrobacterium fabrum along with Biochar Improve Wheat Productivity under Drought Stress
    M Zafar-ul-Hye, S Danish, M Abbas, M Ahmad, TM Munir
    Agronomy 9 (7), 343
    172 citations, 2019
  • Heavy metals immobilization and improvement in maize (Zea mays L.) growth amended with biochar and compost
    M Irfan, M Mudassir, MJ Khan, KM Dawar, D Muhammad, IA Mian, W Ali, …
    Scientific Reports 11 (1), 18416
    152 citations, 2021
  • Zinc nutrition and arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis effects on maize (Zea mays L.) growth and productivity
    A Saboor, MA Ali, S Hussain, HA El Enshasy, S Hussain, N Ahmed, …
    Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences 28 (11), 6339-6351
    136 citations, 2021
  • Alleviation of cadmium adverse effects by improving nutrients uptake in bitter gourd through cadmium tolerant rhizobacteria
    M Zafar-ul-Hye, M Naeem, S Danish, S Fahad, R Datta, M Abbas, AA Rahi, …
    Environments 7 (8), 54
    135 citations, 2020
  • Phytohormones as growth regulators during abiotic stress tolerance in plants
    A EL Sabagh, MS Islam, A Hossain, MA Iqbal, M Mubeen, M Waleed, …
    Frontiers in Agronomy 4, 765068
    132 citations, 2022
  • Alleviation of chromium toxicity in maize by Fe fortification and chromium tolerant ACC deaminase producing plant growth promoting rhizobacteria
    S Danish, S Kiran, S Fahad, N Ahmad, MA Ali, FA Tahir, MK Rasheed, …
    Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 185, 109706
    121 citations, 2019
  • Mitigation of drought stress in maize through inoculation with drought tolerant ACC deaminase containing PGPR under axenic conditions
    S Danish, M Zafar-Ul-Hye, S Hussain, M Riaz, MF Qayyum
    Pak. J. Bot 52 (1), 49-60
    115 citations, 2020
  • Effects of various biochars on seed germination and carbon mineralization in an alkaline soil
    MF Qayyum, M Abid, S Danish, MK Saeed, MA Ali
    Pak. J. Agric. Sci 51, 977-982
    106 citations, 2015
  • Optimizing nutrient use efficiency, productivity, energetics, and economics of red cabbage following mineral fertilization and biopriming with compatible rhizosphere microbes
    D Sarkar, A Sankar, OS Devika, S Singh, Shikha, M Parihar, A Rakshit, …
    Scientific Reports 11 (1), 15680
    105 citations, 2021
  • Effect of seaweed extract on productivity and quality attributes of four onion cultivars
    M Abbas, J Anwar, M Zafar-ul-Hye, R Iqbal Khan, M Saleem, AA Rahi, …
    Horticulturae 6 (2), 28
    97 citations, 2020
  • Biochar and urease inhibitor mitigate NH3 and N2O emissions and improve wheat yield in a urea fertilized alkaline soil
    K Dawar, S Fahad, MMR Jahangir, I Munir, SS Alam, SA Khan, IA Mian, …
    Scientific Reports 11 (1), 17413
    95 citations, 2021

 

 

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