Research Interests

Current research focuses on nutrient interactions in subtropical forest soils (Biogeochemistry of C, N, and P). I have interest/worked on the use of biochar/modified biochar for improving nitrogen and phosphorus use, and carbon retention in fertilized soil-plant systems.

Education background

2018-09 - 2022-06 Ph.D., Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, China

2014-05 - 2016-10 MSc., Ahmadu Bello University Zaria Nigeria

2006-11 - 2011-10 B. Agric., University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria

Research Publications (2022-present):

1. Ibrahim, M.M.*, Lin, H., Chang, Z., Li, Z., Riaz A., Hou E*. (2024). Magnesium-doped biochars increase soil phosphorus availability by regulating phosphorus retention, microbial solubilization and mineralization. Biochar, 6: 68. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42773-024-00360-z
2.  Luo, X., Elrys, A.S., Zhang, L., Ibrahim M.M., Liu, Y., Fu, S., Yan, J., Ye, Q., Wen, D.,* Hou E*. (2024). The global fate of inorganic phosphorus fertilizers added to terrestrial ecosystems. One Earth. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2024.07.002.
3. Huang, X, Ibrahim, M.M.*, Luo, Y., Jiang, L., Chen, J., Hou, E* (2024). Land use change alters soil organic carbon: constrained global patterns and predictors. Earth’s Future, 12: e2023EF004254. https://doi.org/10.1029/2023EF004254
4. Ibrahim, M.M., Lin Y., Guo, Z, Guo, C, Rao, X., Liu, S., Fu S., Ye, Q., Hou, E.* (2024). Increasing tree diversity reduces spatial heterogeneity of soil organic carbon and promotes carbon storage in subtropical forests. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment. 371: 109077. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2024.109077
5. Li, Z., Luo, D., Ibrahim M.M., Luo, X., Deng, R., Wang, C., Hou, E. (2024). Seasonal changes in hydraulic functions of eight temperate tree species: divergent responses to freeze–thaw cycles in spring and autumn, Tree Physiology, 2024; tpae132, https://doi.org/10.1093/treephys/tpae132
6. Ibrahim, M.M., Hou, E.* (2023). Knowledge-based nitrogen management. Nature Food, 4:1031-1032. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43016-023-00893-9.
7. Ibrahim, M.M., Li, Z., Ye, H., Chang, Z., Lin, H., Luo, X., Hou, E*. (2023). Carbon dioxide flux and microbial responses under multiple-nutrient manipulations in a subtropical forest soil. Applied Soil Ecology, 192:105074. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsoil.2023.105074. 
8. Ibrahim, M.M.*, Chang, Z., Li, Z., Joseph, J., Yusuf, A.A., Luo, X., Hou, E.* (2023). Biochar rate-dependent regulation of extended nitrogen supply by modifying stable aggregates-N and microbial responses. Carbon Research, 2:22. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44246-023-00056-2.
9. Ibrahim, M.M., Wu, F., Chen, Y., Liu, D., Zhang, W., He, Z., Hou, E., Xing, S. and Mao, Y. (2023). Impacts of MgO- and sepiolite-biochar composites on N-partitioning and dynamics of N-cycling bacteria in a soil-maize system: A field-based ¹⁵N-urea tracer study. Geoderma, 429: 116236. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2022.116236.
10. Ibrahim, M.M., Liu, D., Wu, F., Chen, Y., He, Z., Zhang, W., Xing, S. and Mao, Y. (2023). Nitrogen retention potentials of magnesium oxide- and sepiolite-modified biochars and their impacts on bacterial distribution under nitrogen fertilization. Science of the Total Environment, 866: 161358. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.161358.
11. Li, Z., Wang, C., Luo, D., Hou, E. and Ibrahim, M.M. (2023). Leaf-branch vulnerability segmentation occurs all year round for three temperate evergreen tree species. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, 197: 107658. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plaphy.2023.107658. 
12. Li, Z., Luo, D., Ibrahim, M. M., Hou, E., and Wang, C. (2023). Adaptive strategies to freeze-thaw cycles in branch hydraulics of tree species co-existing in a temperate forest. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, 206: 108223.
13. Ibrahim, M.M., Guo, L., Wu, F., Liu, D., Zhang, H., Zou, S., Xing, S. and Mao, Y. (2022). Field-applied biochar-based MgO and sepiolite composites possess CO₂ capture potential and alter organic C mineralization and C-cycling bacterial structure in fertilized soils. Science of the Total Environment, 813: 152495. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152495.
14. Ibrahim, M.M., Guo, L., Zhang, H., Wu, F., Zou, S., Xing, S. and Mao, Y. (2022). Comparative impact of Bacillus spp. on long-term N supply and N-cycling bacterial distribution under biochar and manure amendment. Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 22: 882–895. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-021-00698-4.

2019-2021

1. Ibrahim, M.M., Zhang, H., Guo, L., Chen, Y., Heiling, M., Zhou, B. and Mao, Y. (2021). Biochar Interaction with Chemical Fertilizer Regulates Soil Organic Carbon Mineralization and the Abundance of Key C-cycling-related Bacteria in Rhizosphere Soil. European Journal of Soil Biology, 106: 103350. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejsobi.2021.103350.
2. Ibrahim, M.M., Hu, K., Tong, C., Xing, S., Zou, S. and Mao, Y. (2020). De-ashed Biochar Enhances Nitrogen Retention in Manured Soil and Changes Soil Microbial Dynamics. Geoderma, 378: 114589. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2020.114589.
3. Ibrahim, M.M., Tong, C., Hu, K., Zhou, B., Xing, S. and Mao, Y. (2020). Biochar-fertilizer Interaction Modifies N-sorption, Enzyme Activities and Microbial Functional Abundance Regulating Nitrogen Retention in Rhizosphere Soil. Science of the Total Environment, 739: 140065. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140065.
4. Wang, X.,* Ibrahim, M.M.*, Tong, C., Hu, K., Xing, S. and Mao, Y. (2020). Influence of Pyrolysis Conditions on the Properties and Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ Adsorption Potential of Tobacco Stem Biochar. BioResources, 15(2): 4026-4051. https://doi.org/10.15376/biores.15.2.4026-4051. (* Equal contribution).
5. Zhao, Z.,* Ibrahim, M.M.,* Wang, X., Xing, S., Heiling, M., Hood-Nowotny, R., Tong, C. and Mao, Y. (2019). Properties of Biochar Derived from Spent Mushroom Substrates. BioResources, 14(3): 5254-5277. https://doi.org/10.15376/biores.14.3.5254-5277. (* Equal contribution).
6. Abubakar, A.Y., Ibrahim, M.M., Zhang, C.F., Tayyab, M., Fallah, N., Yang, Z., Pang, Z. and Zhang, H. (2022). Filtered Mud Improves Sugarcane Growth and Modifies the Functional Abundance and Structure of Soil Microbial Populations. PeerJ, 10:e12753 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12753.
7. Ibrahim N.B. and Ibrahim, M.M.^# (2019). Comparative Assessment of Bradyrhizobium japonicum Inoculant and Phosphorus on Growth and Yield of Soybeans (Glycine max L.) Genotypes. Journal of Applied Sciences, 19: 782-788. https://doi.org/10.3923/jas.2019. (^# Corresponding author).
8. Elmagzob, A.A.H., Ibrahim, M.M. and Zhang, G-F. (2019). Seasonal Diversity of Endophytic Bacteria Associated with Cinnamomum camphora (L.) Presl. Diversity, 11: 112. https://doi.org/10.3390/d11070112.
9. Bello, S.K., Shobayo, A.B., Ibrahim, M.M., Alasinrin, S.Y., Aliyu, I.A. and Yusuf, A.A. (2021). Biological Nitrogen Fixation Contributes to Soil Productivity in Tropical Agroecologies. Nigerian Journal of Soil Science, 31(1): 1-https://doi.org/10.36265.njss.2020.310101.
10. Yousef, A.F., Youssef, M.A., Ali, M.M., Ibrahim, M.M., Xu, Y. and Mauro, R.P. (2020). Improved Growth and Yield Response of Jew’s Mallow (Corchorus olitorius L.) Plants through Biofertilization under Semi-Arid Climate Conditions in Egypt. Agronomy, 10: 1801. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10111801.
11. Yousef, A.F., Xu, Y., Chen, F., Lin, K., Zhang, X., Guiamba, H., Ibrahim, M.M., Rizwan, H.M. and Ali, M.M. (2021). The Influence of LEDs Light Quality on the Growth Pigments Biochemical and Chlorophyll Fluorescence Characteristics of Tomato Seedlings (Solanum lycopersicum L.). Fresenius Environmental Bulletin, 30(4): 3575-3588.

2013-2018

1. Ibrahim, M.M., Yusuf, A.A. and Daudu, C.K. (2017). Optimizing Biological Nitrogen Fixation and Yield of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in an Acidic Alfisol through Rhizobium Inoculation, Liming and Fertilization. Nigerian Journal of Scientific Research, 16(2): 190-196
2. Ibrahim, M.M. and Aliyu, J. (2016). Comparison of Methods for Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity Determination: Field, Laboratory and Empirical Measurements (A Pre-view). British Journal of Applied Science and Technology, 15(3): 1-8. https://doi.org/10.9734/BJAST/2016/24413
3. Ibrahim, M.M. and Idoga S. (2015). Soil Fertility Status of the Research Farm of the University of Agriculture Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria. Donnish Journal of Agricultural Research, 2(4): 033-036.
4. Ibrahim, M.M. and Idoga S. (2013). Soil Degradation Assessment of the University of Agriculture Makurdi Students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme Farm. Production Agriculture and Technology, 9(2): 126-135
5. Gabasawa, A.I., Ibrahim, M.M. and Aliyu, J. (2016). Evaluating the Micronutrients Fertility Status of Farmlands Adjacent to Kadawa Irrigation Station in the Sudan Savannah of Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Soil and Environmental Research, 14: 125-131.
6. Abubakar, F.J., Yusuf, A.A., Aliyu, J., Ibrahim, M.M., Abdulkareem, J.H., Aliyu I.A., Gabasawa, A.I. and Ramadan, M. (2017). An Assessment of the Physico-chemical Properties of Soils of the Northern Guinea Savanna Agro-ecological Zones of Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Soil and Environmental Research,15: 130-136
7. Aliyu, J., Malgwi, W.B., Jimoh, I.A., Shobayo, B.A. and Ibrahim, M.M. (2016). Suitability Assessment of Surface Water for Irrigation in Galma Flood Plain, Zaria, Kaduna Northwestern Nigeria. Journal of Scientific Research and Reports, 10(7): 1-9. https://doi.org/10.9734/JSRR/2016/24188
8. Onu, D.O., Lan, M.T. and Ibrahim, M.M.  (2016). Work Skills Required by Farmers in Finger Millet Production for Food and Economic Security in Benue State. Scholarly Journal of Agricultural Science, 6(7): 195-200.