Jianling Fan | Soil Fertility | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Jianling Fan |  Soil Fertility | Best Researcher Award

Professor at School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, China

Prof. Dr. Jianling Fan is a Professor at the School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology. He holds a Ph.D. from the Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Dr. Fan has a strong research background in soil carbon and nitrogen transformation, ecosystem carbon cycle modelling, and environmental effects. He worked as a postdoctoral research fellow at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (2014-2017) and became a full professor at Nanjing University in 2018. Dr. Fan has made significant contributions to soil science, receiving over 3,300 citations and being named among the World’s Top 2% Scientists by Stanford University in 2023-2024.

Profile:

Academic & Professional Background 🎓

Prof. Dr. Jianling Fan holds a Ph.D. from the Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences. He completed his NSERC Post-doctoral Research Fellowship at the Swift Current Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (2014-2017). Since 2018, he has served as a full professor at Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology. His research primarily focuses on soil carbon and nitrogen transformations and ecosystem carbon cycle modelling. He was named among the Top 2% Scientists globally by Stanford University in 2023-2024.

Research Interests 🌍

  1. Soil Carbon & Nitrogen Transformation: Studying their environmental impacts, particularly related to greenhouse gas emissions.

  2. Ecosystem Carbon Cycle Modelling: Focused on improving carbon cycle estimations for large-scale agricultural systems.

Research Contributions & Achievements 🌿

  • Research Projects: Completed 9 research projects (5 as Principal Investigator and 4 as main researcher), with 3 ongoing projects.

  • Citations: 3389 citations with an H-index of 32 (Google Scholar).

  • Publications: Authored 52 SCI journal articles and 26 in CNKI (Chinese).

  • Patents: Holder of 7 Chinese patents.

  • Books: Published various books related to soil science and carbon cycling.

Consultancy & Collaborations 🤝

Prof. Dr. Fan collaborates extensively with scientists from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and many research institutions in China. He has also engaged in 2 consultancy/industry projects.

Professional Memberships 🔗

  • Soil Science Society of China

  • American Society of Agronomy (ASA)

  • Crop Science Society of America (CSSA)

  • Soil Science Society of America (SSSA)

  • Canadian Society of Soil Science

Innovations & Groundbreaking Research 🌟

  • Dr. Fan has made pioneering contributions to understanding the effects of atmospheric nitrogen and sulphur deposition on soil organic carbon and greenhouse gas emissions. His studies have led to improved carbon input estimation methods in agricultural ecosystems.

  • He developed energy analysis systems incorporating soil organic carbon changes, overcoming limitations of existing methods and expanding their applications.

Awards & Recognition 🏆

Prof. Dr. Fan’s groundbreaking work has earned him recognition in Stanford University’s Top 2% Scientists List (2023-2024), marking him as one of the leading experts in his field.

Citations:

  • Total Citations: 3389

  • Citations Since 2020: 2551

  • H-index: 32

  • H-index Since 2020: 28

  • i10-index: 42

  • i10-index Since 2020: 39

Publication Top Notes:

  • Root distribution by depth for temperate agricultural crops
    J Fan, B McConkey, H Wang, H Janzen
    Field Crops Research, 189, 68-74, 510 citations, 2016

  • Wheat straw-derived biochar amendment stimulated N2O emissions from rice paddy soils by regulating the amoA genes of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria
    Y Lin, W Ding, D Liu, T He, G Yoo, J Yuan, Z Chen, J Fan
    Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 113, 89-98, 210 citations, 2017

  • Importance of heterotrophic nitrification and dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium in a cropland soil: evidences from a 15N tracing study to literature synthesis
    Z Chen, W Ding, Y Xu, C Müller, T Rütting, H Yu, J Fan, J Zhang, T Zhu
    Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 91, 65-75, 185 citations, 2015

  • Nutrient addition reduces carbon sequestration in a Tibetan grassland soil: Disentangling microbial and physical controls
    R Luo, Y Kuzyakov, D Liu, J Fan, J Luo, S Lindsey, JS He, W Ding
    Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 144, 107764, 164 citations, 2020

  • Excessive sulfur supply reduces cadmium accumulation in brown rice (Oryza sativa L.)
    JL Fan, ZY Hu, N Ziadi, X Xia, CYH Wu
    Environmental Pollution, 158(2), 409-415, 156 citations, 2010

  • Effect of long-term compost and inorganic fertilizer application on background N2O and fertilizer-induced N2O emissions from an intensively cultivated soil
    W Ding, J Luo, J Li, H Yu, J Fan, D Liu
    Science of the Total Environment, 465, 115-124, 140 citations, 2013

  • Nitrogen and phosphorus enrichment accelerates soil organic carbon loss in alpine grassland on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau
    R Luo, J Fan, W Wang, J Luo, Y Kuzyakov, JS He, H Chu, W Ding
    Science of the Total Environment, 650, 303-312, 138 citations, 2019

  • Carbon sequestration in an intensively cultivated sandy loam soil in the North China Plain as affected by compost and inorganic fertilizer application
    J Fan, W Ding, J Xiang, S Qin, J Zhang, N Ziadi
    Geoderma, 230, 22-28, 124 citations, 2014

  • Influence of 20–year organic and inorganic fertilization on organic carbon accumulation and microbial community structure of aggregates in an intensively cultivated sandy loam soil
    H Zhang, W Ding, X He, H Yu, J Fan, D Liu
    PLoS One, 9(3), e92733, 104 citations, 2014

  • Effect of application of dairy manure, effluent and inorganic fertilizer on nitrogen leaching in clayey fluvo-aquic soil: A lysimeter study
    J Fan, J Xiao, D Liu, G Ye, J Luo, D Houlbrooke, S Laurenson, J Yan, …
    Science of the Total Environment, 592, 206-214, 99 citations, 2017

  • Soil autotrophic and heterotrophic respiration in response to different N fertilization and environmental conditions from a cropland in Northeast China
    Z Chen, Y Xu, J Fan, H Yu, W Ding
    Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 110, 103-115, 96 citations, 2017

  • Dominant effects of organic carbon chemistry on decomposition dynamics of crop residues in a Mollisol
    Y Xu, Z Chen, S Fontaine, W Wang, J Luo, J Fan, W Ding
    Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 115, 221-232, 88 citations, 2017

  • Nitrogen fertilization stimulated soil heterotrophic but not autotrophic respiration in cropland soils: A greater role of organic over inorganic fertilizer
    Z Chen, Y Xu, Y He, X Zhou, J Fan, H Yu, W Ding
    Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 116, 253-264, 81 citations, 2018

  • Grazing improves C and N cycling in the Northern Great Plains: A meta-analysis
    X Wang, BG McConkey, AJ VandenBygaart, J Fan, A Iwaasa, …
    Scientific Reports, 6(1), 33190, 78 citations, 2016

  • Crop rotation, tillage system, and precipitation regime effects on soil carbon stocks over 1 to 30 years in Saskatchewan, Canada
    É Maillard, BG McConkey, MS Luce, DA Angers, J Fan
    Soil and Tillage Research, 177, 97-104, 77 citations, 2018

  • Increasing crop yields and root input make Canadian farmland a large carbon sink
    J Fan, BG McConkey, BC Liang, DA Angers, HH Janzen, R Kröbel, …
    Geoderma, 336, 49-58, 73 citations, 2019

  • Thirty-year amendment of horse manure and chemical fertilizer on the availability of micronutrients at the aggregate scale in black soil
    J Fan, W Ding, Z Chen, N Ziadi
    Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 19, 2745-2754, 70 citations, 2012

  • Harvest index–yield relationship for estimating crop residue in cold continental climates
    J Fan, B McConkey, H Janzen, L Townley-Smith, H Wang
    Field Crops Research, 204, 153-157, 65 citations, 2017

  • Organic fertilizers have divergent effects on soil N2O emissions
    T He, J Yuan, J Luo, W Wang, J Fan, D Liu, W Ding
    Biology and Fertility of Soils, 55, 685-699, 60 citations, 2019

  • Extreme rainfall and snowfall alter responses of soil respiration to nitrogen fertilization: a 3‐year field experiment
    Z Chen, Y Xu, X Zhou, J Tang, Y Kuzyakov, H Yu, J Fan, W Ding
    Global Change Biology, 23(8), 3403-3417, 60 citations, 2017

Rubab Sarfraz | Fertility Management | Women Researcher Award

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