Nondumiso Sosibo | Soil Science | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Nondumiso Sosibo | Soil Science | Research Excellence Award

Soil Science Researcher | Agricultural Research Council | South Africa

Dr. Nondumiso Sosibo is a soil scientist whose work spans conservation agriculture, soil fertility, soil carbon and phosphorus dynamics, and spectroscopy-based soil assessment, with a strong emphasis on advancing sustainable agricultural systems across diverse production landscapes. Her research integrates field experimentation, soil characterization, spectral modelling, and laboratory analysis to generate knowledge that supports improved soil management, enhanced crop productivity, and evidence-based environmental decision-making. She has contributed significantly to continental-scale initiatives focused on building harmonized soil spectral libraries, enabling rapid assessment of soil health indicators and strengthening digital soil mapping frameworks. Dr. Sosibo is experienced in project leadership, scientific proposal development, stakeholder coordination, and interdisciplinary collaboration, effectively bridging research outputs with practical applications in agricultural and environmental sectors. She has conducted extensive studies on cropping sequences, tillage variability, residue management, and soil nutrient behaviour, providing insights into the long-term impacts of land-use practices on soil sustainability. Her expertise further includes wet chemistry, soil classification, data analytics, and the development of user-friendly workflows for processing and interpreting large soil datasets. She actively disseminates research through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and outreach platforms, while also contributing to scientific training by mentoring students and supporting capacity building in soil science. With a strong record of collaboration in national and international research programs, Dr. Sosibo continues to advance innovative approaches that strengthen soil monitoring, conservation planning, and sustainable crop production systems.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Sosibo, N. Z., Muchaonyerwa, P., Visser, L., Barnard, A., Dube, E., & Tsilo, T. J. (2017). Soil fertility constraints and yield gaps of irrigation wheat in South Africa. South African Journal of Science, 113(1/2), Art. #2016-0141, 9 pp. https://doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2017/20160141( Citation: 40)

Dube, E., Tsilo, T. J., Sosibo, N. Z., & Fanadzo, M. (2020). Irrigation wheat production constraints and opportunities in South Africa. South African Journal of Science, 116(1/2), Art. #6342, 6 pp. https://doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2020/6342 (Citation: 28)

Dube, E., Kilian, W., Mwadzingeni, L., Sosibo, N. Z., Barnard, A., & Tsilo, T. J. (2019). Genetic progress of spring wheat grain yield in various production regions of South Africa. South African Journal of Plant and Soil, 36(1), 33–39. https://doi.org/10.1080/02571862.2018.1469793 (Citation: 15)

Lephuthing, M. C., Baloyi, T. A., Sosibo, N. Z., & Tsilo, T. J. (2017). Progress and challenges in improving nutritional quality in wheat. In R. Wanyera & J. Owuoche (Eds.), Wheat Improvement, Management and Utilization (pp. 77–95). InTech. https://doi.org/10.5772/67230 (Citation: 8)

Sosibo, N. Z., Muchaonyerwa, P., Dube, E., & Tsilo, T. J. (2022). Soil carbon and phosphorus after 40 years of contrasting tillage and straw management in dryland wheat production under semi-arid temperate climate. Land, 11(8), 1305. https://doi.org/10.3390/land11081305 (Citation: 1)

Chaosheng Luo | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Research Article Award

Dr. Chaosheng Luo | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Research Article Award

Yunnan agricultural university China

Chaosheng Luo is a dedicated young scholar at Yunnan Agricultural University, currently on the verge of completing a doctoral degree. 🌾 His research focuses extensively on intercropping systems for disease control and yield enhancement. With a deep passion for agroecological balance and sustainable farming systems, Luo has consistently contributed innovative solutions to complex plant pathology challenges, positioning himself as a promising voice in agricultural sciences.

Profile

Scopus

Orcid

🎓 Education

Chaosheng Luo is currently pursuing his Doctoral Degree in Agriculture, specializing in intercropping strategies to combat plant diseases while increasing crop productivity. His academic path has been marked by rigorous training in plant pathology, soil biology, and sustainable farming practices, laying a strong foundation for impactful scientific contributions.

💼 Experience

Luo has several years of hands-on and theoretical research experience, particularly in intercropping-based disease suppression, crop yield enhancement, and soil–plant interactions. He has actively contributed to key national-level research initiatives and participated in high-impact scholarly communication through journals and research platforms. He also collaborates with leading experts in agronomy and plant sciences through various multidisciplinary projects.

🔬 Research Interests

His core research interests include plant–soil–microbe interactions, intercropping systems, plant disease management, soil health, and sustainable agriculture. Luo is especially interested in understanding how plant diversity in cropping systems can naturally suppress diseases and reduce chemical inputs, ultimately supporting food security and environmental health.

🏆 Awards

Currently nominated for the Best Research Scholar Award, Luo’s dedication to innovation and sustainability in agricultural research has garnered national attention. His achievements, including participation in prestigious research grants and contributions to internationally recognized journals, highlight his growing influence in the academic community.

📚 Publications Top Notes: 

Chaosheng Luo has published impactful research in several SCI-indexed journals. One notable publication is:

Luo, C. et al. (2025). Rhizosphere microorganisms link the belowground processes of intercropping to disease suppression

Appropriate nitrogen supply and intercropping reduce epidemics, the compound disease of faba bean, and yield and economic losses

Optimization of N Fertilizer and Synergistic Intercropping to Enhance the Productivity Advantage of Faba Bean and Effective Control of Chocolate Spot Epidemics

Enhancing soil properties, soil-borne diseases control, and quality through selecting high C/N agricultural waste during reductive soil disinfestation for continuous tobacco cropping

Impact of Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas fluorescens beneficial bacterial agents on soil-borne diseases, growth, and economics of continuous cropping of flue-cured tobacco

The severity and yield effects of the chocolate spot disease in faba bean affected by intercropping and nitrogen input

Effect of Enhanced Organic Material Addition during Reductive Soil Disinfestation on Disease Resistance, Yield Increase, and Microbial Community in Flue-Cured Tobacco

Co‐culture of faba bean with wheat provides evidence for intercropping faba bean to alleviate the occurrence of Fusarium wilt under the autotoxic stress of salicylic acid