Topics and Trends in Most Cited Crop Yield and Soil Fertility Papers, Class of 2026

What topics and trends defined most-cited Crop Yield and Soil Fertility research in the Class of 2026?

Nitrogen use efficiency and soil organic carbon dominated the discourse. The most significant shift was the rapid rise of crop rotation and microbial biomass carbon.

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Updated July 19, 2026

At a glance

Field: Crop Yield and Soil Fertility
Cohort label: Class of 2026 (2024 publications)
Papers analyzed: 7,806
Papers ranked: 20
Top topics in ranked papers: Nitrogen use efficiency, Maize, Salt stress, Crop rotation, Soil organic carbon
Publication window: Jan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2024
Eligibility: Research articles; reviews excluded
Citation window: 18 months post-publication
18m citation range: 36–97
Data source: OpenAlex · Retrieved June 2026
License: CC BY 4.0

Rankings

20 papers ranked by 18-month citation count

#1 of 7,806

9718m citations

Conservation agriculture improves soil health and sustains crop yields after long-term warming

Jialing Teng, Ruixing Hou et al.Nature Communications202410.1038/s41467-024-53169-6

Jing Tian, Zhenling Cui, Manuel Delgado‐BaquerizoChina Agricultural University, China

conservation agricultureconventional agricultureexperimental warmingsoil organic carbonMicrobial biomass carbonfungal diversitysaprogen richnesswheat yieldsSoil healthclimate warmingcrop productionmicrobial diversityintensive crop productionsoil degradationFood securityclimate resiliencelong-term warming effects

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#2 of 7,806

8618m citations

Maize smart-canopy architecture enhances yield at high densities

Jinge Tian, Chenglong Wang, Fengyi Chen et al.Nature202410.1038/s41586-024-07669-6

Jigang Li, Feng TianChina Agricultural University, China

Maizesmart-canopy architecturePlant densityyield enhancementcanopy structureleaf anglelight interceptionphotosynthetic efficiencyplant architecturedensity tolerance

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#3 of 7,806

8418m citations

Optimized agricultural management reduces global cropland nitrogen losses to air and water

Luncheng You et al.Nature Food202410.1038/s43016-024-01076-w

Yongliang ChenChina Agricultural University, China

cropland nitrogen lossesagricultural management optimizationnitrogen leachingnitrogen emissions to airfertilizer application timingprecision agriculturenitrogen use efficiencyenvironmental nitrogen pollutioncrop production systemswater qualityatmospheric nitrogen depositionagronomic practicesglobal nitrogen cyclesustainable intensificationNutrient management

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#4 of 7,806

6918m citations

Reducing soil nitrogen losses from fertilizer use in global maize and wheat production

Chao Wang et al.Nature Geoscience202410.1038/s41561-024-01542-x

Jianwen Zou, Shuwei LiuNanjing Agricultural University, China

soil nitrogen lossesfertilizer use efficiencymaize productionwheat productionnitrogen managementglobal crop productionnitrogen leachingnitrous oxide emissionsNH3 volatilizationnitrogen use efficiencyfertilizer application timingfertilizer placementnitrification inhibitorsurease inhibitorsprecision agriculturenitrogen balanceenvironmental sustainabilityYield optimization

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#5 of 7,806

6718m citations

Soil health is associated with higher primary productivity across Europe

Ferran Romero et al.Nature Ecology & Evolution202410.1038/s41559-024-02511-8

Ferran Romero, Marcel G. A. van der HeijdenAgroscope, Switzerland

Soil healthprimary productivityEuropean-scale analysissoil biodiversityecosystem functioningagricultural systemssoil organic mattermicrobial communitiesNutrient cyclingplant biomass productionsoil physicochemical propertiesland management practicesbiogeochemical processescarbon sequestrationecosystem services

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#6 of 7,806

6218m citations

Global needs for nitrogen fertilizer to improve wheat yield under climate change

Pierre Martre et al.Nature Plants202410.1038/s41477-024-01739-3

Pierre MartreINRAE, France

Nitrogen fertilizerwheat yieldclimate changeglobal agriculturefertilizer requirementscrop productivitynitrogen use efficiencywheat production systemsclimate impact on cropsNutrient management

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#7 of 7,806

5718m citations

Drivers of soil quality and maize yield under long-term tillage and straw incorporation in Mollisols

Chunzhu Liu et al.Soil and Tillage Research202410.1016/j.still.2024.106360

Wenxiu ZouChinese Academy of Sciences, China

Soil healthmaize yieldlong-term tillageStraw incorporationMollisolstillage practicesCrop residue managementsoil physical propertiessoil chemical propertiessoil biological propertiessoil organic carbonsoil structureAggregate stabilityNutrient cyclingconservation tillage

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#8 of 7,806

5318m citations

Localized nitrogen management strategies can halve fertilizer use in Chinese staple crop production

Yize Liu, Minghao Zhuang et al.Nature Food202410.1038/s43016-024-01057-z

Liang Xia, Liying Zhang, Lixiao Zhang, Yan HaoBeijing Normal University, China

nitrogen managementFertilizer reductionChinese staple cropslocalized strategiesnitrogen use efficiencycrop production optimizationregional fertilizationSustainable agricultureNutrient managementprecision agriculture

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#9 of 7,806

4818m citations

Photosynthetic capacity and assimilate transport of the lower canopy influence maize yield under high planting density

Yanyan Yan et al.PLANT PHYSIOLOGY202410.1093/plphys/kiae204

Wenbin ZhouChinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China

Plant densitywhole-canopy photosynthesislower canopyMaizeLY66MC670JK968ear developmentcanopy layer stratificationsingle-leaf areacanopy transmissionChlorophyll contentPhotosynthetic ratesingle-plant biomass accumulationpresilking biomass transferAssimilate allocationglucose and fructose contentsink organ developmentkernel number

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#10 of 7,806

4618m citations

Strategies for crop straw management in China's major grain regions: Yield-driven conditions and factors influencing the effectiveness of straw return

Jia Cheng et al.Resources Conservation and Recycling202410.1016/j.resconrec.2024.107941

Zhiyu Xu, Hai‐Lin ZhangChina Agricultural University, China

crop straw managementStraw returnChina's major grain regionsyield-driven conditionsstraw return effectivenesscrop yieldCrop residue utilizationgrain production systemsStraw incorporationsoil fertility managementregional crop management strategies

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#11 of 7,806

4518m citations

Diversified cropping modules designed for soil restoration, <scp>CO<sub>2</sub></scp> sequestration, and generating carbon credits

Ram Swaroop Meena et al.Land Degradation and Development202410.1002/ldr.5224

Ram Swaroop Meena, Gourisankar Pradhan, Sandeep Kumar, Sunil Kumar, Rupesh ChaturvediBanaras Hindu University, India

cropping modulesdegraded land restorationCO2 biosequestrationsoil organic carbon fractionscarbon creditsVindhyan regionEucalyptus + bajraGuava + phalsaTeak + wheatpasture landSOC stockpermanganate oxidizable carbon (POX-C)Microbial biomass carbonrecalcitrant indexlability indexclimate currencynet zero emissionneutral land degradationagroforestry systemscarbon sequestration potential

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#12 of 7,806

4218m citations

Influence of cover crops on soil aggregate stability, size distribution and related factors in a no-till field

Wei Dai et al.Soil and Tillage Research202410.1016/j.still.2024.106197

Gary FengORISE, United States

cover cropsAggregate stabilityaggregate size distributionNo-tillagesoil structure

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#13 of 7,806

4118m citations

The impact of biochar addition on morpho-physiological characteristics, yield and water use efficiency of tomato plants under drought and salinity stress

Ghulam Murtaza et al.BMC Plant Biology202410.1186/s12870-024-05058-9

Rashid Iqbal, Nazim S. GrudaKunming University of Science and Technology, China

biochar applicationSolanum lycopersicumDrought stressSalt stressSaline irrigation waterwater use efficiencymorpho-physiological characteristicsevapotranspirationElectrical conductivity (ECe)leaf gas exchangePhotosynthetic ratetranspiration rateRelative water contentProline contentGrowth parametersplant heightstem diameterleaf areaSoil water retentiongreenhouse cultivation

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#14 of 7,806

4018m citations

A model suitable for estimating above-ground biomass of potatoes at different regional levels

Yang Liu et al.Computers and Electronics in Agriculture202410.1016/j.compag.2024.109081

Jibo Yue, Haikuan FengBeijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, China

Above-ground biomasspotatobiomass estimation modelregional-level modelingmulti-scale estimation

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#15 of 7,806

3918m citations

Random forest machine learning for maize yield and agronomic efficiency prediction in Ghana

Eric Asamoah et al.Heliyon202410.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e37065

Eric AsamoahWageningen University & Research, Netherlands

Random forestMaize yield predictionAgronomic efficiencynutrient use efficiencyfertilizer applicationsoil variablesclimate variablesnested cross-validationmodel efficiency coefficientprediction interval coverage probabilityAE-NAE-PAE-Kgeoreferenced treatment plotsfield trialstemperaturerainfallSub-Saharan AfricaGhana

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#16 of 7,806

3818m citations

Global synthesis of cover crop impacts on main crop yield

Yu Peng et al.Field Crops Research202410.1016/j.fcr.2024.109343

Lixin WangIndiana University Indianapolis (IUI), United States

cover cropsmain crop yieldglobal synthesismeta-analysisCrop rotationSoil healthNitrogen fixationresidue managementlegume cover cropsnon-legume cover cropscash crop productivityagronomic practicesSustainable agricultureyield effect size

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#17 of 7,806

3818m citations

Legume-based crop diversification with optimal nitrogen fertilization benefits subsequent wheat yield and soil quality

Zhengjun Yan et al.Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment202410.1016/j.agee.2024.109171

Zhaohai Zeng, Huadong ZangChina Agricultural University, China

legume-based crop diversificationnitrogen fertilization optimizationwheat yieldSoil healthCrop rotationlegume cover cropsnitrogen use efficiencysoil nitrogen dynamicsresidual nitrogenNitrogen fixationsoil organic mattercrop-legume sequences

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#18 of 7,806

3718m citations

Combining rotary and deep tillage increases crop yields by improving the soil physical structure and accumulating organic carbon of subsoil

Jingwang Li et al.Soil and Tillage Research202410.1016/j.still.2024.106252

Donghao Ma, Jiabao ZhangChinese Academy of Sciences, China

rotary tillagedeep tillagecrop yieldsoil physical structuresubsoil organic carbonorganic carbon accumulationtillage combinationsoil compactionBulk densitysoil porosityroot growthwater infiltrationtillage depthsoil stratificationcarbon sequestration

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#19 of 7,806

3618m citations

Soil quality and ecosystem multifunctionality after 13-year of organic and nitrogen fertilization

Chunli Wang et al.The Science of The Total Environment202410.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172789

Haiqing Chen, Mingsheng FanChina Agricultural University, China

Soil healthecosystem multifunctionalityorganic fertilizationnitrogen fertilization13-year field experimentLong-term fertilization

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#20 of 7,806

3618m citations

Impact of nitrogen on photosynthesis, remobilization, yield, and efficiency in winter wheat under heat and drought stress

Chen Ru et al.Agricultural Water Management202410.1016/j.agwat.2024.109013

Xiaotao HuAnhui Agricultural University, China

winter wheatHeat stressDrought stresscombined stressnitrogen managementPhotosynthetic ratestomatal conductancetranspiration rateNitrogen Remobilization Efficiencywater use efficiencynitrogen use efficiencypost-anthesis nitrogen uptakegrain nitrogen accumulationgrain-filling rateAbove-ground biomassgreen leaf areainstantaneous water use efficiencyentropy-TOPSIS analysis

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Topic trends

Dominant research themes and year-over-year shifts in Crop Yield and Soil Fertility

What Topics Define the Class of 2026?

The Class of 2026 in Crop Yield and Soil Fertility was dominated by core concepts related to sustainability and stress response. Nitrogen use efficiency was the most frequent topic, appearing in 20% of the top papers, reflecting an emphasis on optimizing resource input. Maize emerged as the most commonly studied specific crop, followed closely by studies on salt stress, each featured in 12% of the research. Crucially, foundational soil management practices such as crop rotation and the enhancement of soil organic carbon were also highly prominent, maintaining a consistent presence in 10% of the field's highest-impact work.

How Did Topics Shift from the Class of 2025 to the Class of 2026?

The transition to the Class of 2026 saw significant shifts toward microbial health and complex rotational practices. Crop rotation experienced a massive five-fold increase in frequency, climbing from 2% to 10% representation. Similarly, microbial biomass carbon emerged rapidly from near absence to being a central theme in 8% of the top papers. Salt stress studies also tripled in prevalence. Conversely, more traditional focus areas like drought stress declined by half (from 16% to 8%), suggesting a pivot from simply observing climatic stress toward actively managing soil biology and diversity to mitigate agricultural vulnerabilities.

Methodology

PRI identifies high-impact research using a transparent, topic-agnostic framework applied consistently across scientific domains. Bibliographic records are drawn from OpenAlex, including publication dates, citation relationships, and document types.

This ranking covers the Class of 2026 cohort: journal articles published in 2024. Reviews and other non-article document types are excluded to ensure comparability.

Research impact is quantified with an 18-month post-publication citation window—the number of citing works published within 18 months of each paper's publication date. This metric captures early impact while controlling for publication age.

An LLM-based relevance classifier then reviews each candidate's title and abstract to confirm substantive alignment with the target domain. Only papers classified as relevant appear in the final ranking.

Zheng Su, Tinsley Li, Thematic Shifts in Early-High-Impact Cancer Genomics and Diagnostics Research: A Bibliometric and Semantic Analysis. bioRxiv 2026.07.04.736459; doi: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.07.04.736459

Full methodology GitHub bioRxiv preprint

Cite this ranking

Pepkio Research Index (PRI). Topics and Trends in Most Cited Crop Yield and Soil Fertility Papers, Class of 2026. https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/crop-yield-and-soil-fertility/2026. Accessed 2026-07-19.

Zheng Su, Tinsley Li, Thematic Shifts in Early-High-Impact Cancer Genomics and Diagnostics Research: A Bibliometric and Semantic Analysis. bioRxiv 2026.07.04.736459; doi: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.07.04.736459