Topics and Trends in Most Cited Legume Nitrogen Fixing Symbiosis Papers

Ranked by citations 18 months after publication

Class of 2026 (Papers Published in 2024)

What topics and trends defined most-cited Legume Nitrogen Fixing Symbiosis research in the Class of 2026?

Research in legume nitrogen-fixing symbiosis is shifting rapidly from isolated microsymbionts toward complex rhizosphere community engineering. While core symbiosis themes maintain foundational dominance, studies on synthetic microbial communities, intercropping, and biofertilizers expanded significantly, whereas general diazotroph classifications experienced relative declines in high-impact publications.

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Updated July 29, 2026

At a glance

Field
Legume Nitrogen Fixing Symbiosis
Cohort label
Class of 2026 (2024 publications)
Papers analyzed
5,425
Papers ranked
20
Top topics in ranked papers
Rhizosphere microbial community, synthetic microbial communities, biofertilizers, intercropping, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi
Publication window
Jan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2024
Eligibility
Research articles; reviews excluded
Citation window
18 months post-publication
18m citation range
26–105
Data source
OpenAlex · Retrieved Jul 2026
License
CC BY 4.0

Rankings

20 papers ranked by 18-month citation count

#1 of 5,425
10518m citations

Superiority of native soil core microbiomes in supporting plant growth

Yanyan Zhou, Donghui Liu et al.Nature Communications202410.1038/s41467-024-50685-3

Xiaohui Li, Shuguang Peng, Xiaogang LiNanjing Forestry University, China

native core microbiomesSynthetic microbial communitiesnative non-core microorganismsnon-native microorganismsPlant growth promotionniche breadthin-vitro interactionnon-sterile environmentrhizosphere colonizationBiological nitrogen fixationIAA productionphosphate solubilizationbiofertilizerscomposite carrierrapeseed cake fertilizerrice husk carbonSC2 synthetic community
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#2 of 5,425
8918m citations

Legume rhizodeposition promotes nitrogen fixation by soil microbiota under crop diversification

Mengjie Qiao, Ruibo Sun et al.Nature Communications202410.1038/s41467-024-47159-x

Yan ChenChinese Academy of Sciences, China

Biological nitrogen fixationLegume-rhizobia symbiosispeanutRhizosphere microbial communityrhizodepositioncrop diversificationIntercroppingpeanut-maize-oilseed rape co-culturerhizosphere metabolite profilesflavonoidscoumarinsphenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathwaysfree-living nitrogen-fixing bacteriaBradyrhizobiumNodulationnitrogen fixation activityplant root metabolitesNitrogen availability
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#3 of 5,425
8218m citations

Dynamic root microbiome sustains soybean productivity under unbalanced fertilization

Mingxing Wang, An-Hui Ge, Xingzhu Ma et al.Nature Communications202410.1038/s41467-024-45925-5

Xiaofeng Cao, Ertao WangChinese Academy of Sciences, China

Root-associated microbiomeGlycine maxunbalanced fertilizationquantitative microbiome profilingtemporal dynamicsbacterial successionBacteroidetesrhizosphere bacteriaN fertilizerP fertilizerK fertilizerbacterial loadsMicrobial community assemblySynthetic microbial communitieslow-nitrogen-enriched clusterPlant growth promotionsustainable agriculturelong-term fertilization experiments
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#5 of 5,425
5018m citations

Enhanced nitrogen fixation and Cd passivation in rhizosphere soil by biochar-loaded nitrogen-fixing bacteria: Chemisorption and microbial mechanism

Yuxiao Chang et al.Journal of Hazardous Materials202410.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.136588

Yongquan Li, Zhimin XuChinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China

Biological nitrogen fixationCd passivationRhizospherebiochar-loaded nitrogen-fixing bacteriachemisorptionmicrobial mechanismbiocharDiazotrophscadmiumheavy metal immobilizationRhizosphere microbial communitysoil remediationbiochar carrierInoculationmetal-microbe interaction
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#6 of 5,425
4918m citations

Drought-Tolerant Bacteria and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Mitigate the Detrimental Effects of Drought Stress Induced by Withholding Irrigation at Critical Growth Stages of Soybean (Glycine max, L.)

Aya Ahmed Nader et al.Microorganisms202410.3390/microorganisms12061123

Ahmed M. El‐SawahMansoura University, Egypt

drought-tolerant bacteriaArbuscular mycorrhizal fungiGlycine maxR3 growth stageR5 growth stageBradyrhizobiumrhizobacterial isolatespolyethylene glycol 6000DTB4DTR3016S rRNA geneGlomus clarumFunneliformis mosseaeGigaspora margaritaproline contentmycorrhizal colonizationdehydrogenase activityphosphatase activityInoculationrhizosphere microbial activity
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#7 of 5,425
4218m citations

Zinc mediates control of nitrogen fixation via transcription factor filamentation

Jieshun Lin, Peter K Bjørk et al.Nature202410.1038/s41586-024-07607-6

Jie-shun Lin, Kasper R. Andersen, Dugald ReidAarhus University, Denmark

Biological nitrogen fixationzinc signalingtranscription factor filamentationFIXATION UNDER NITRATE (FUN)root nodulesLegume-rhizobia symbiosissoil nitrate sensingNodule senescencezinc-dependent filament assemblyintracellular second messengernitrogen homeostasiszinc concentration readoutFUN transcriptional regulationnodule breakdown pathwaysenvironmental nitrogen adaptationmetal ion signalingfilament dissociation mechanismsymbiotic nitrogen metabolism
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#8 of 5,425
4118m citations

Symbiotic Synergy: Unveiling Plant-Microbe Interactions in Stress Adaptation

Muhammad Anas et al.Journal of Crop Health202410.1007/s10343-024-01070-z

Shah FahadQuaid-i-Azam University, Pakistan

Plant-microbe interactionsstress adaptationSymbiosisPlant stress tolerancemicrobial symbiontsbiotic stressabiotic stressRhizosphere microbial communityplant growth-promoting bacteriamycorrhizal fungistress signaling pathwaysmutualistic symbiosismicrobial colonizationhost-microbe communicationstress-induced metabolites
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#9 of 5,425
3818m citations

Single-cell transcriptome atlases of soybean root and mature nodule reveal new regulatory programs that control the nodulation process

Sergio Alan Cervantes-Pérez et al.Plant Communications202410.1016/j.xplc.2024.100984

Marc LibaultUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln, United States

single-cell transcriptome atlasSingle-nucleus transcriptomicsMolecular Cartographysoybean rootmature noduleinfection zoneBradyrhizobium diazoefficiensBiological nitrogen fixationNodule infectionNodulationinfected cell sub-populationssenescencegene co-expression networkGmFWL3plasma membrane microdomaincell type heterogeneitySymbiosislateral rootsnodule transcriptome
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#10 of 5,425
3718m citations

Root hair developmental regulators orchestrate drought triggered microbiome changes and the interaction with beneficial Rhizobiaceae

Zhenghong Wang, Zewen Li et al.Nature Communications202410.1038/s41467-024-54417-5

Yi SongSouthern University of Science and Technology, China

root hair developmental regulatorsdrought stressroot microbiome assemblyRhizobiaceaeroot hair density mutantsstress-alleviating microbesRhizobium strainsornithine cyclodeaminaseocd gene knockoutmetagenomic analysisroot transcriptomeroot metabolomehost genetic effectsPlant-microbe interactionsabiotic stress tolerancebeneficial root bacteriamicrobiome biomarkersdrought-induced microbiome changes
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#11 of 5,425
3518m citations

Host-imposed control mechanisms in legume–rhizobia symbiosis

Stephanie S Porter et al.Nature Microbiology202410.1038/s41564-024-01762-2

Joel L. SachsWashington State University, United States

Legume-rhizobia symbiosishost control mechanismsNodulationBiological nitrogen fixationRhizobiaLegumesPlant-microbe interactionssymbiotic partner selectionpartner quality controlautoregulation of nodulationbacteroid differentiationsymbiotic efficiencyrhizobial cheaters
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#12 of 5,425
3318m citations

European soybean to benefit people and the environment

Jose L Rotundo et al.Scientific Reports202410.1038/s41598-024-57522-z

José L. RotundoCorteva Agriscience, Spain

European soybean productionGM-free soybeanlivestock feedprotein qualityprotein digestibilityisoflavonesphytosterolsrainfed soybean yieldsdrought tolerancestress-tolerance traitsGreenhouse gas mitigationfertiliser N usehuman nutritionlegume comparisonfood processing traitscrop simulationclimate adaptationsustainable agriculture
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#13 of 5,425
3318m citations

Contrasting seasonal effects of legume and grass cover crops as living mulch on the soil microbial community and nutrient metabolic limitations

Xin Sui et al.Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment202410.1016/j.agee.2024.109374

Xuelian BaoChinese Academy of Sciences, China

legume cover cropsgrass cover cropsliving mulchSoil microbial communitynutrient metabolic limitationsseasonal effectsmicrobial nutrient limitationcover crop functional groupsBiological nitrogen fixationcarbon-to-nitrogen ratiomicrobial metabolismagroecosystem managementNutrient cyclingPlant-microbe interactions
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#15 of 5,425
3018m citations

Inorganic nitrogen inhibits symbiotic nitrogen fixation through blocking NRAMP2-mediated iron delivery in soybean nodules

Min Zhou, Yuan Li, Xiao-Lei Yao et al.Nature Communications202410.1038/s41467-024-53325-y

Deqiang Duanmu, Yuefeng Guan, Zhichang ChenFujian Agriculture and Forestry University, China

symbiotic nitrogen fixationLegume-rhizobia symbiosisinorganic nitrogen fertilizersiron homeostasisSoybean noduleGmNRAMP2aGmNRAMP2bNatural Resistance-Associated Macrophage Protein 2tonoplast localizationuninfected nodule tissuesinfected cellsiron transferGmNIGT1aGmNIGT1bnitrogen-regulated GARP-type transcription factorsnitrogen signalingiron allocationSNF efficiency modulation
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#16 of 5,425
2818m citations

Deciphering Microbial Community and Nitrogen Fixation in the Legume Rhizosphere

Yaohui Yang et al.Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry202410.1021/acs.jafc.3c09160

Haifeng QianZhejiang University of Technology, China

Rhizosphere microbial community16S rRNA gene sequencingrhizosphere metagenomicsRhizobiaNif genesSphingomonadaceaeXanthobacteraceaeRhizobiaceaeBacillaceaeStreptomycetaceaeNocardioidaceaehelper bacteriariboflavin synthesisSynthetic microbial communitiesbiofertilizersnitrogen-cycling bacteriaLegume-rhizobia symbiosisnitrogen fixation potential
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#17 of 5,425
2718m citations

Leguminous green manure intercropping changes the soil microbial community and increases soil nutrients and key quality components of tea leaves

Yu Duan et al.Horticulture Research202410.1093/hr/uhae018

Xujun Zhu, Wanping FangNanjing Agricultural University, China

leguminous green manureIntercroppingChinese milkvetchGlycine maxtea amino acidssoluble sugarsoil ammonium nitrogensoil nitrate nitrogenNitrogen availabilityavailable phosphorussoil fertility indexsoil bacterial communitysoil fungal communitytea quality componentsgreen manure returnprofuse flowering periodsoil pHtea-soybean-Chinese milkvetch intercroppingmicrobial community complexitytea plantation sustainability
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#18 of 5,425
2618m citations

Biochar relieves the toxic effects of microplastics on the root-rhizosphere soil system by altering root expression profiles and microbial diversity and functions

Liyu Yang et al.Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety202410.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.115935

Qi WuChinese National Peanut Engineering Research Center, China

microplasticsbiocharpolystyrene microplasticpeanut shell biocharpeanutroot-rhizosphere soil systemtranscriptomic analysisRhizosphere microbial communityantioxidant activitieslignin synthesisnitrogen transportenergy metabolismreactive oxygen species stressroot structure damagemicrobial diversityNitrogen cyclingorganic matter decompositionoxidative stress resistancerhizosphere bacterial diversitysoil amendment
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#19 of 5,425
2618m citations

Comparative genomics analysis reveals genetic characteristics and nitrogen fixation profile of Bradyrhizobium

Chaofang Zhong et al.iScience202410.1016/j.isci.2024.108948

Zhonghua Zhang, Kang NingNanning Normal University, China

BradyrhizobiumBiological nitrogen fixationcomparative genomicspan-genomecore genesaccessory genessymbiotic nitrogen fixationNodulationNif genesnod genesLegumesbacterial secretion systemsgene familiespresence/absence variationgenetic diversitynon-leguminous plantssoil bacteriagene clusters
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#20 of 5,425
2618m citations

A receptor required for chitin perception facilitates arbuscular mycorrhizal associations and distinguishes root symbiosis from immunity

Jingyi Zhang et al.Current Biology202410.1016/j.cub.2024.03.015

Giles Oldroyd, Feng FengOklahoma State University, United States

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungichitooligosaccharideslipo-chitooligosaccharidesLysM-RLKCERK1LYR4LYK8Medicago truncatulasymbiosis signalingimmunity signalingmycorrhizal colonizationreceptor complexchitin perceptionlyk8/cerk1 double mutantsymbiosis-immunity discriminationfungal signaling moleculesnutrient uptake facilitation
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Dominant research themes and year-over-year shifts in Legume Nitrogen Fixing Symbiosis

What Topics Define the Class of 2026?

The Class of 2026 research landscape in legume nitrogen-fixing symbiosis is overwhelmingly anchor-driven by core biological processes and rhizosphere community mechanics. Biological nitrogen fixation and legume-rhizobia symbiosis represent the foundation of the corpus, present across more than 30% to 40% of key studies. However, the most pronounced research density centers on rhizosphere microbial communities, which experienced a 2.48-fold frequency surge in top-ranked publications. Rather than examining isolated microsymbionts in sterile conditions, recent high-impact work prioritizes multi-species soil ecosystems and synthetic microbial communities (SynComs) to enhance symbiotic efficacy. Complementing microbial community dynamics, practical agricultural interventions feature prominently. Intercropping systems, biofertilizer formulations, and plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) have emerged as core focal points for optimizing nodulation and nutrient acquisition. Methodologically, transcriptomic analysis serves as the primary molecular lens for dissecting host-microbe cross-talk, while model and crop species like Glycine max (soybean) dominate experimental validation. Overall, the current cohort reflects a major shift toward engineering complex holobiont interactions and applying symbiotic mechanisms to sustainable crop production.

Leading research themes
Leading research themes

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

Comparing the Class of 2025 and Class of 2026 cohorts reveals a clear transition from descriptive single-organism studies toward integrative agro-ecosystem engineering. The most prominent expansion occurred in rhizosphere microbial community research, which rose from 11.1% normalized frequency in 2023 to 27.6% in 2024 (a 2.48-fold increase). Concurrently, specialized bio-inputs and agronomic strategies—specifically intercropping, biofertilizer carrier systems, and plant growth-promoting bacteria—recorded dramatic emergence, appearing in multiple high-impact 2024 publications after zero representation in the previous cohort's top tier. In contrast, traditional broad classifications saw relative declines. General diazotroph studies experienced the sharpest decline, dropping from 18.5% normalized frequency (5 papers) in 2023 down to 6.9% (2 papers) in 2024. Specific host models like Glycine max also saw a minor contraction from 4 to 3 papers (0.70-fold relative change). Overall, these trajectory shifts signal that the legume nitrogen fixation field is rapidly pivoting from classical characterizations of isolated microsymbionts toward applied microbiome assembly, molecular signaling pathways (such as lipo-chitooligosaccharides), and soil-health management.

How topics shifted year over year
How topics shifted year over year
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 methodologyGitHubbioRxiv preprint

Cite this ranking

Pepkio Research Index (PRI). Topics and Trends in Most Cited Legume Nitrogen Fixing Symbiosis Papers, Class of 2026. https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/legume-nitrogen-fixing-symbiosis/2026. Accessed 2026-07-29.

Methodology
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