On Dec 6, 2023, at the invitation of the Innovation Team of Saline-alkali Soils Amelioration from the Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning (IARRP) of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Professor Yakov Kuzyako from the University of Göttingen in Germany visited the institute for academic exchange and collaborative research. He delivered academic presentations titled "Energy Use Efficiencies of Soil Microorganisms: Driven by C Recycling & Reduction" and "Subsoiling for Sustainable Agriculture." The meeting was hosted by Professor Li Yuyi, with more than 20 IARRP researchers and postgraduate students in attendance.

Professor Yakov systematically introduced the relationship between carbon utilization efficiency and energy utilization efficiency of soil microorganisms, explaining different underlying mechanisms between them. He also discussed the impacts of deep soil loosening measures on soil carbon storage, crop production, and ecosystem functions. The presentation sparked enthusiastic discussion, with Professor Yakov providing detailed answers to questions from researchers and students regarding soil microbial energy utilization efficiency and subsoil carbon transformation processes. In addition, Professor Li Yuyi introduced the team's new technologies and innovative ideas in the improvement and utilization of saline-alkali soils. Team members and postgraduate students engaged in exchanges and discussions with Professor Yakov in depth, regarding the research progress on mechanisms and approaches for organic carbon sequestration in saline-alkali lsoils.

Professor Yakov Kuzyako, from the University of Göttingen in Germany, has long engaged in research in soil ecology, plant rhizosphere ecology, soil priming effects, carbon sequestration, and element cycling. He has also conducted extensive explorations in the use of stable and radioactive isotopes for labeling, natural abundance, isotope dilution, and visualization. He has published over 802 papers (including more than 35 highly cited papers and 15 hot papers), with a total citation of more than 51,384 times and an H-index of 103. He has been selected as a Highly Cited Scientist by Clarivate Analytics for five consecutive years.