Topics and Trends in Most Cited Mycorrhizal Fungi and Plant Interactions Papers

Ranked by citations 18 months after publication

Class of 2026 (Papers Published in 2024)

What topics and trends defined most-cited Mycorrhizal Fungi and Plant Interactions research in the Class of 2026?

Mycorrhizal research in the Class of 2026 highlights tripartite symbiosis, fungal hyphae networks, and ecological multifunctionality as key drivers of plant drought tolerance and nutrient cycling. Rapid growth in ecological restoration and root-derived carbon research marks a strategic pivot away from broad metagenomic cataloging toward functional plant-soil-microbe applications.

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Updated July 23, 2026

At a glance

Field
Mycorrhizal Fungi and Plant Interactions
Cohort label
Class of 2026 (2024 publications)
Papers analyzed
5,906
Papers ranked
20
Top topics in ranked papers
Ecosystem multifunctionality, Available phosphorus, Drought stress, Endophytic fungi, Tripartite symbiosis
Publication window
Jan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2024
Eligibility
Research articles; reviews excluded
Citation window
18 months post-publication
18m citation range
42–146
Data source
OpenAlex · Retrieved July 2026
License
CC BY 4.0

Rankings

20 papers ranked by 18-month citation count

#1 of 5,906
14618m citations

Cross-kingdom nutrient exchange in the plant–arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus–bacterium continuum

Shilong Duan et al.Nature Reviews Microbiology202410.1038/s41579-024-01073-7

Paola Bonfante, Xianan Xie, Lin ZhangChina Agricultural University, China

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungicross-kingdom nutrient exchangeplant-fungus-bacterium continuumTripartite symbiosismycorrhizal helper bacterianutrient transportphosphate transfernitrogen transfercarbon allocationendobacteriamycorrhizospheresymbiotic nutrient cyclingfungal hyphaearbusculeRoot colonization
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#2 of 5,906
13618m citations

Enhancing Soil Health and Plant Growth through Microbial Fertilizers: Mechanisms, Benefits, and Sustainable Agricultural Practices

Xinpei Wei et al.Agronomy202410.3390/agronomy14030609

Shuquan XinChangchun Normal University, China

Biofertilizerssoil microorganismssoil physicochemical propertiessoil microecological balanceroot exudatessecondary metabolitesfungal microorganismsextracellular polysaccharidessoil aggregatessoil compactionnitrogen phosphorus potassium uptakefruit yield and qualitypathogen competitioninduced systemic resistanceSustainable agriculture
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#3 of 5,906
12318m citations

Nutrient-induced acidification modulates soil biodiversity-function relationships

Zhengkun Hu et al.Nature Communications202410.1038/s41467-024-47323-3

Manqiang LiuNanjing Agricultural University, China

nutrient enrichmentsoil acidificationSoil biodiversityEcosystem multifunctionalityBiodiversity-ecosystem function relationshipsnitrogen additionphosphorus additionsoil pHBacterial diversityfungal diversitynematode diversitymicrobivorous nematodessoil food webstrophic cascadescarbon cyclingnutrient cycling13-year field experimentspecies dominanceecosystem stability
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#4 of 5,906
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 colonizationNitrogen fixationIAA productionphosphorus solubilizationBiofertilizerscomposite carrierrapeseed cake fertilizerrice husk carbonSC2 synthetic community
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#5 of 5,906
6718m citations

Community assembly of organisms regulates soil microbial functional potential through dual mechanisms

Lingyue Zhu et al.Global Change Biology202410.1111/gcb.17160

Jiabao Zhang, Yuji JiangInstitute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China

community assembly processesBacterial communityFungal communityprotist communitiesnematode communitieshigh-throughput sequencingGeoChip-based functional gene profilingmicrobial functional potentialcarbon cycling genesnitrogen cycling genesphosphorus cycling genessulfur cycling genesStochastic assemblyDeterministic assemblynormalized stochasticity ratioNPK fertilizationphosphorus-deficient fertilization (NK)network stabilityβ-diversitysoil nutrient stoichiometry
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#6 of 5,906
6518m citations

Revealing the hidden world of soil microbes: Metagenomic insights into plant, bacteria, and fungi interactions for sustainable agriculture and ecosystem restoration

M Jagadesh et al.Microbiological Research202410.1016/j.micres.2024.127764

Aradhna Kumari, Santosh Kumar Singh, Krishan K. VermaTamil Nadu Agricultural University, India

soil microbesMetagenomicsplant-bacteria interactionsPlant-fungal interactionsBacteria-fungi interactionsSustainable agricultureEcological restorationSoil microbiomemicrobial community analysisplant-microbe symbiosisRhizosphere microbiomeMicrobial diversityfunctional metagenomicssoil health
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#7 of 5,906
5818m citations

Microbial biodiversity and plant functional trait interactions in multifunctional ecosystems

Mir Muhammad Nizamani et al.Applied Soil Ecology202410.1016/j.apsoil.2024.105515

Yong Yan Wang, Zhengguang ZhangGuizhou University, China

Microbial diversityplant functional traitsmultifunctional ecosystemsPlant-microbe interactionsEcosystem multifunctionalityfunctional trait variationSoil microbiometrait-mediated effectsBiodiversity-ecosystem function relationshipsMicrobial community composition
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#8 of 5,906
5418m citations

Interactive Suitability of Rice Stubble Biochar and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi for Improving Wastewater-Polluted Soil Health and Reducing Heavy Metals in Peas

Muniba Farhad et al.Sustainability202410.3390/su16020634

Muhammad IqbalGovernment College University, Pakistan

rice stubble biocharArbuscular mycorrhizal fungiwastewater-irrigated soilheavy metal immobilizationrice stubble compostPb bioavailabilityCd bioavailabilityNi bioavailabilityCu bioavailabilityCo bioavailabilityZn bioavailabilitypea plantsMycorrhizal colonizationSoil enzyme activityUreaseCatalaseperoxidasePhosphataseβ-glucosidasefluorescein diacetate
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#9 of 5,906
5318m citations

Microbial colonisation rewires the composition and content of poplar root exudates, root and shoot metabolomes

F Fracchia et al.Microbiome202410.1186/s40168-024-01888-9

Claire Veneault‐Fourrey, Aurélie DeveauUniversité de Lorraine, France

poplar root exudatesPopulus tremula x tremuloidesmicrobiota assemblyroot-to-shoot axisMetabarcodingRhizosphere microbiomeEndophytic fungisymbiontsgas chromatography-mass spectrometryPlant-microbe interactionsroot metabolomeshoot metabolomegamma irradiated soillipid-related metabolitesdefence compoundsprimary metabolismdefence metabolismSaprotrophsmicrobial colonisation dynamicsAbove-belowground interactions
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#10 of 5,906
5018m citations

Fungal community composition predicts forest carbon storage at a continental scale

Mark A Anthony et al.Nature Communications202410.1038/s41467-024-46792-w

Mark AnthonyETH Zürich, Switzerland

fungal community compositionforest carbon storageSoil microbiomeEctomycorrhizal fungiEndophytic fungitree growth ratesbiomass carbon stocksBelowground carbon storageBacterial diversityfungal diversityforest inventory plotsEuropean forestscarbon cyclingnutrient cyclingSymbiotic fungiMicrobial diversity
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#11 of 5,906
5018m citations

Agricultural practices influence soil microbiome assembly and interactions at different depths identified by machine learning

Yujie Mo et al.Communications Biology202410.1038/s42003-024-07059-8

Lei Yu, Jinjun KanBeihang University, China

soil microbiome assemblyagricultural practicesmachine learningsoil depth gradientfertility sourceprokaryotic communitiesFungal communityMicrobial co-occurrence networksfungi-dominated modulestillage effectscover cropdispersal processesStochastic assemblymicrobial interactionsdepth-dependent patternssoil healthSustainable agriculture
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#13 of 5,906
4918m citations

Above-and below-ground feedback loop of maize is jointly enhanced by plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in drier soil

Wasim Khan et al.The Science of The Total Environment202410.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170417

Ying Zhu, You‐Cai XiongLanzhou University, China

plant growth-promoting rhizobacteriaArbuscular mycorrhizal fungiMaizeabove-and below-ground feedback loopsoil moistureDrought stressPlant-microbe interactionsrhizospheremicrobial synergyRoot colonizationplant biomasswater deficitco-inoculation
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#14 of 5,906
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 stageBradyrhizobium isolatesrhizobacterial isolatespolyethylene glycol 6000DTB4DTR3016S rRNA geneRhizophagus clarusFunneliformis mosseaeGigaspora margaritaproline contentMycorrhizal colonizationdehydrogenase activityphosphatase activitybioinoculant applicationrhizosphere microbial activity
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#15 of 5,906
4918m citations

The biology and chemistry of a mutualism between a soil bacterium and a mycorrhizal fungus

Adrien Anckaert et al.Current Biology202410.1016/j.cub.2024.09.019

Adrien Anckaert, Marc OngenaUniversity of Liège, Belgium

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungiRhizophagus irregularisBacillus velezensishyphosphere colonizationbacterial biofilm formationcytoplasmic flowspecialized metabolite biosynthesisantifungal compound productionmycoparasitic fungihyphal network migrationRoot colonizationinduced systemic resistanceTripartite symbiosisHyphosphere microbiomefungal-bacterial chemical interplay
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#16 of 5,906
4818m citations

Host genotype-specific rhizosphere fungus enhances drought resistance in wheat

Hong Yue, Xuming Sun et al.Microbiome202410.1186/s40168-024-01770-8

Gehong Wei, Weining Song, Duntao ShuNorthwest A&F University, China

Rhizosphere microbiomedrought resistancehost genotypeMortierella alpinaEpicoccum nigrumYunhan 618Chinese Springamplicon sequencingMetagenomicsMicrobial interkingdom networksRoot morphologyKeystone taxaroot RNA sequencingdrought-responsive genesCIPK9PP2C30carbon cyclinglateral rootsroot hairsfungal colonization
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#18 of 5,906
4618m citations

A tripartite bacterial-fungal-plant symbiosis in the mycorrhiza-shaped microbiome drives plant growth and mycorrhization

Changfeng Zhang et al.Microbiome202410.1186/s40168-023-01726-4

Roeland L. BerendsenUtrecht University, Netherlands

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungiAM hyphae-associated bacteriaTripartite symbiosismycorrhiza-shaped microbiomeDevosiaDevosia sp. ZB163extraradical hyphaeMicrocosm experimentselective microbiome assemblyhyphal colonizerroot colonizermycorrhizationNitrogen uptakeplant growth promotionsynergistic interactionBacterial recruitment
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#19 of 5,906
4418m citations

Deforestation impacts soil biodiversity and ecosystem services worldwide

Xinjing Qu, Xiaogang Li et al.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences202410.1073/pnas.2318475121

Xinjing Qu, Xiaogang Li, Fuliang Cao, Manuel Delgado‐BaquerizoNanjing Forestry University, China

deforestationSoil biodiversityecosystem servicesnative forest conversionBacterial diversityFungal communityfungal pathogenssymbiontsSoil carbon storagenutrient cyclingOrganic matter decompositionsoil pHtotal phosphorusFungal guildsfungal diversityplantationsgrasslandscroplandsmicrobial community responsessoil functional rates
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#20 of 5,906
4218m citations

Meta‐analysis reveals globally sourced commercial mycorrhizal inoculants fall short

Liz Koziol et al.New Phytologist202410.1111/nph.20278

Liz KoziolUniversity of Kansas, United States

Mycorrhizal inoculantsmeta-analysisArbuscular mycorrhizal fungiinoculation efficacyplant growth promotionPlant nutrient uptakephosphorus acquisitionRoot colonizationfield performancegreenhouse studiesinoculant viabilityglobal sourcingagricultural applicationmycorrhizal symbiosis
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Dominant research themes and year-over-year shifts in Mycorrhizal Fungi and Plant Interactions

What Topics Define the Class of 2026?

Research in the Class of 2026 on mycorrhizal fungi and plant interactions centers heavily on ecological multifunctionality and sustainable agricultural practices. A major focal point is the mechanistic role of mycorrhizal networks and endophytic fungi in enhancing plant resilience to abiotic stress, particularly drought stress and soil nutrient constraints like available phosphorus limitation. Studies emphasize tripartite symbiosis—the synergistic interactions among plants, mycorrhizal fungi, and helper bacterial communities—as a primary driver of nutrient cycling, organic matter decomposition, and soil network stability. Furthermore, practical applications in crop management, notably in maize cultivation, prominently feature biofertilizers, root-derived carbon allocations, and saprotrophic contributions to restore degraded ecosystems. Rather than isolating individual fungal taxa, high-impact literature prioritizes systemic ecosystem services, demonstrating how fungal hyphae networks facilitate nutrient transport, improve soil structure, and bolster overall ecosystem multifunctionality under environmental change.

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 to the Class of 2026 reveals a distinct shift toward functional ecosystem processes and multi-partner biological interactions. Research attention increased rapidly for tripartite symbiosis, fungal hyphae networks, root-derived carbon dynamics, and organic matter decomposition—topics that were minimally represented in the 2025 cohort but expanded to 6% of top-cited publications in 2026. Substantial momentum was also gained by ecological restoration and network stability, reflecting heightened interest in applying mycorrhizal ecology to habitat recovery and climate resilience. Conversely, baseline characterization metrics such as general soil pH profiling, metagenomic survey broadness, and single-species focal studies (such as Rhizophagus irregularis or generic keystone taxa) experienced relative declines, dropping from 8–12% frequency down to 4%. Overall, the field is evolving from descriptive diversity cataloging toward integrative, process-oriented frameworks that harness fungal networks for sustainable agriculture and ecological restoration.

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 Mycorrhizal Fungi and Plant Interactions Papers, Class of 2026. https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/mycorrhizal-fungi-and-plant-interactions/2026. Accessed 2026-07-23.

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