Palo Francis Loke | Soil Organic | Best Researcher Award

Posted on by sciencefather

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