Topics and Trends in Most Cited Plant tissue culture and regeneration Papers

Ranked by citations 18 months after publication

Class of 2026 (Papers Published in 2024)

What topics and trends defined most-cited Plant tissue culture and regeneration research in the Class of 2026?

CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing and hairy root transformation dominate the 2026 cohort, showing a clear shift towards precision genome engineering. Traditional tissue culture methods are declining, while rapid transformation techniques like RUBY reporters and Agrobacterium-mediated methods are surging.

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Updated July 15, 2026

At a glance

Field
Plant tissue culture and regeneration
Cohort label
Class of 2026 (2024 publications)
Papers analyzed
6,609
Papers ranked
20
Top topics in ranked papers
CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, Hairy root transformation, Agrobacterium-mediated transformation
Publication window
Jan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2024
Eligibility
Research articles; reviews excluded
Citation window
18 months post-publication
18m citation range
18–399
Data source
OpenAlex · Retrieved Jul 2026
License
CC BY 4.0

Rankings

20 papers ranked by 18-month citation count

#1 of 6,609
39918m citations

High Efficiency In vitro Whole Plant Regeneration via Desiccated Callus in Oryza sativa cv. MTU1010

Anjana Priyadarshani Kanathala et al.International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology (IJISRT)202410.38124/ijisrt/ijisrt24mar1492

Anjana Priyadarshani KanathalaUnknown, Unknown

Oryza sativa cv. MTU1010Callus dehydrationPlant regenerationEmbryogenic callusmature seed-derived callusMS-CIM medium2,4-DKinetinα-Naphthaleneacetic acidpartial desiccation treatmentRegeneration efficiencyRootinghardening of plantletsindica rice cultivarPlant growth regulatorstissue culture optimizationPlant transformationTransformation recalcitrance
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#2 of 6,609
4118m citations

An efficient genetic transformation system mediated by <i>Rhizobium rhizogenes</i> in fruit trees based on the transgenic hairy root to shoot conversion

Lin Liu et al.Plant Biotechnology Journal202410.1111/pbi.14328

Chengchao Zheng, Shizhong ZhangShandong Agricultural University, China

Hairy root transformationRoot to shoot conversionMalus domesticaActinidia chinensisTransformation efficiencyRegeneration efficiencyWUSCHELstem cell activity regulatory genesRUBY reporterMdRGF5root hair phenotypelateral root phenotyperoot colour phenotypeFunctional genomicsfruit tree genetic transformationPlant regenerationgene editing in fruit treesroot phenotype scoring
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#3 of 6,609
3918m citations

A simple and efficient in planta transformation method based on the active regeneration capacity of plants

Guoguo Mei et al.Plant Communications202410.1016/j.xplc.2024.100822

Xu Liu, Xingliang HouChinese Academy of Sciences, China

Rapid transformation methodPlant transformationregenerative activity-dependent injection deliveryAgrobacterium tumefaciensplant meristem injectionvegetative propagationtissue culture-free transformationsweet potato (Ipomoea batatas)Potato (Solanum tuberosum)bayhops (Ipomoea pes-caprae)Transformation efficiencymolecular breedingPlant regeneration
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#4 of 6,609
3918m citations

A method of genetic transformation and gene editing of succulents without tissue culture

Jinghua Lu, Shanshan Li et al.Plant Biotechnology Journal202410.1111/pbi.14318

Jian‐Kang ZhuChinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, China

Cut-dip-buddingtissue culture-free transformationKalanchoe blossfeldianaCrassula arborescensSansevieria trifasciataAgrobacterium rhizogenes strain K599CRISPR/Cas9 gene editingPDS genecut leaf shoot regenerationTransformation efficiencysucculent genetic engineeringmonocotyledonous transformationdicotyledonous transformationShoot regeneration
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#5 of 6,609
3418m citations

Green synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles as a potential regulator of callus growth, plant physiology, antioxidative and microbial contamination in Oryza sativa L.

Jawad Ullah et al.BMC Plant Biology202410.1186/s12870-024-05627-y

M. Ahmed, Murtaza Hasan, Mansour Ghorbanpour, Ghazala MustafaQuaid-i-Azam University, Pakistan

Iron oxide nanoparticlesOryza sativaMurashige and Skoog (MS) mediumCallus contamination controlCallus inductionCallus regenerationIron source substitutionFoliar spray applicationChlorophyll content enhancementAscorbate peroxidaseSuperoxide dismutase (SOD)PeroxidaseCatalaseIRRI-6 rice varietyKissan Basmati rice varietyPlant fresh biomass increaseSpike weight increaseNanoparticle characterization (2-7.5 nm)
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#6 of 6,609
3318m citations

Binary vector copy number engineering improves Agrobacterium-mediated transformation

Matthew J Szarzanowicz et al.Nature Biotechnology202410.1038/s41587-024-02462-2

Mitchell G. Thompson, Patrick M. ShihJoint BioEnergy Institute, United States

Agrobacterium-mediated transformationbinary vectorplasmid copy numberorigin of replication mutationsdirected evolutionhigh-throughput growth-coupled selection assaypVS1RK2pSaBBR1Nicotiana benthamianaArabidopsisRhodosporidium toruloidesTransformation efficiencyprokaryotic genetic engineeringhigher-copy-number variantsplasmid backbone engineering
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#7 of 6,609
3118m citations

Enhancing Agrobacterium-mediated plant transformation efficiency through improved ternary vector systems and auxotrophic strains

Ephraim Aliu et al.Frontiers in Plant Science202410.3389/fpls.2024.1429353

Kan Wang, Keunsub LeeIowa State University, United States

Agrobacterium-mediated transformationTernary vector systempVS1-VIR2 helper plasmidternary helper plasmid pKL2299Athymidine auxotrophic Agrobacterium strainsEHA101EHA105EHA105DLBA4404EHA105Thy-LBA4404T1LBA4404Thy-virA gene from pTiBo542vir gene operons (virG, virB, virC, virD, virE, virJ)Transformation efficiencyGUS assayArabidopsis seedlingsmaize B104 immature embryo transformationRapid transformation methoddisarmed Agrobacterium strains
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#8 of 6,609
2818m citations

<scp>PfGSTF2</scp> endows resistance to quizalofop‐p‐ethyl in <i>Polypogon fugax</i> by <scp>GSH</scp> conjugation

Wen Chen et al.Plant Biotechnology Journal202410.1111/pbi.14491

Qin Yu, Lianyang Bai, Lang PanHunan Agricultural University, China

PfGSTF2PfGSTF58quizalofop-p-ethylPolypogon fugaxACCase-inhibiting herbicidesGST-based metabolic resistanceGSH conjugationhaloxyfop-R-methylcross-resistancetransgenic rice calli overexpressionCRISPR/Cas9 gene editingMetabolomicsherbicide detoxification at ether bondpropanoic acid derivativeGSH-quizalofop conjugatereactive oxygen species cytotoxicity attenuationNBD-Cl GST inhibitorrecombinant protein expression in Escherichia coliherbicide resistance evolutionglutathione S-transferase gene expression
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#10 of 6,609
2618m citations

Synergistic induction of fertilization-independent embryogenesis in rice egg cells by paternal-genome-expressed transcription factors

Hui Ren et al.Nature Plants202410.1038/s41477-024-01848-z

Imtiyaz Khanday, Venkatesan SundaresanUniversity of California, Davis, United States

fertilization-independent embryogenesisrice egg cellsParent-of-origin expressionsynergistic inductionApomixisparthenogenesisegg cell reprogrammingembryogenesis-inducing transcription factors
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#12 of 6,609
2518m citations

Advanced materials for intracellular delivery of plant cells: Strategies, mechanisms and applications

Yingying Zhang et al.Materials Science and Engineering R Reports202410.1016/j.mser.2024.100821

Chaobo Huang, Ranhua XiongNanjing Forestry University, China

intracellular delivery of plant cellscell wall penetrationnanocarrier-mediated deliveryDNA/RNA delivery to plantsPlant transformationnanoparticle-based transfectioncarbon nanotube deliverycell-penetrating peptidesmagnetofection in plantsmicrofluidic delivery devicesnanoinjectionprotoplast transformationBiolistic transformationgene editing delivery vectorsplant nanobiotechnologydelivery of CRISPR components to plantsmesoporous silica nanoparticleslayered double hydroxide carriersendocytosis in plant cells
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#13 of 6,609
2418m citations

Use of <scp>GRF</scp>‐<scp>GIF</scp> chimeras and a ternary vector system to improve maize (<i>Zea mays</i> L.) transformation frequency

Wout Vandeputte et al.The Plant Journal202410.1111/tpj.16880

Laurens PauwelsGhent University, Belgium

GRF-GIF chimeraTernary vector systemAgrobacterium-mediated transformationimmature maize embryospVS1-VIR2 helper plasmidT-DNA transferBABY BOOMWUSCHELDevelopmental regulatorZmGRF1ZmGIF1fusion proteinHygromycin selectionmaize inbred line B104T-DNA copy numberCRISPR/Cas9 gene editingTransformation efficiencytissue culture mediaRegeneration efficiencyGROWTH-REGULATING FACTOR
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#14 of 6,609
2318m citations

Lignin reduction in sugarcane by performing CRISPR/Cas9 site-direct mutation of SoLIM transcription factor

Chanakan Laksana et al.Plant Science202410.1016/j.plantsci.2024.111987

Sontichai ChanprameBurapha University, Thailand

CRISPR/Cas9 site-directed mutagenesisSoLIM transcription factorSaccharum officinarumpRGEB32 vectorAgrobacterium-mediated transformationcv. KK3 callilignocellulose recalcitrancelignin content reductionqRT-PCR gene expression analysisSoPALSoC4HSoCADsyringyl/guaiacyl (S/G) ratiohistochemical cell wall evaluationscanning electron microscopysingle nucleotide insertion/deletionBase substitution mutationenzymatic saccharificationsecond-generation bioethanol productionplant cell wall genetic engineering
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#17 of 6,609
2018m citations

Elicitation strategies for enhanced secondary metabolite synthesis in plant cell cultures and its role in plant defense mechanism

Nidhi Selwal et al.Plant Gene202410.1016/j.plgene.2024.100485

Atif Khurshid WaniLovely Professional University, India

ElicitationSecondary metabolitesPlant cell cultureplant defense mechanismbiotic elicitorsabiotic elicitorsJasmonic acid signallingSalicylic acidreactive oxygen species signalingHormone signaling pathwaysHairy root transformationTissue culturephytoalexinsalkaloid biosynthesisFlavonoidsterpenoid biosynthesisphenolic compound accumulationMethyl jasmonateChitosan elicitorbiosynthetic pathway gene expression
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#18 of 6,609
2018m citations

Exploring an economic and highly efficient genetic transformation and genome‐editing system for radish through developmental regulators and visible reporter

Xiaofang Yi et al.The Plant Journal202410.1111/tpj.17068

Yan WangNanjing Agricultural University, China

Raphanus sativusHairy root transformationRUBY reporterBetalain biosynthesisRoot to shoot conversionDevelopmental regulatorWUSCHELisopentenyl transferase (ipt)Wus2-ipt combinationhormone-free shoot regenerationCRISPR/Cas9 gene editingPDS genealbino phenotypeVisual reporter screeningGermplasm improvementlow transformation efficiencyFunctional genomicsroot vegetable crop transformation system
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#19 of 6,609
1818m citations

An inducible CRISPR activation tool for accelerating plant regeneration

Cuimei Zhang et al.Plant Communications202410.1016/j.xplc.2024.100823

Junhui Zhou, Xianwei Song, Qikun LiuPeking University, China

inducible CRISPR activationER-TagLexA-VP16-ER inducible systemSunTag CRISPR-a systemguide RNA multiplexingpooled gRNA screeningDevelopmental regulatorRegeneration efficiencychemical induction of gene expressioneudicot plantsmonocot plantsalfalfawoodland strawberrysheepgrassendogenous gene activationCRISPR toolset expansion in plantsFunctional genomics
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#20 of 6,609
1818m citations

Developmental regulators in promoting genetic transformation efficiency in maize and other plants

Yilin Jiang et al.Current Plant Biology202410.1016/j.cpb.2024.100383

Xueli An, Xiangyuan WanUniversity of Science and Technology Beijing, China

Developmental regulatorZmWIND1AP2/ERF transcription factorTransformation efficiencyRegeneration efficiencyMaizemulti-omics data analysisbibliometric analysishomologous DR identificationcallus induction ratepG3GB411-ZmWIND1 vectorXiang249 maize lineZheng58 maize linemolecular breedingFunctional genomicsagricultural biotechnologytransformable maize varietiesdisease resistance genes (DRs)plant regeneration regulatorsgenetic transformation methods
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Dominant research themes and year-over-year shifts in Plant tissue culture and regeneration

What Topics Define the Class of 2026?

The Class of 2026 in plant tissue culture and regeneration is heavily dominated by precision genetic engineering and advanced transformation techniques. **CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing** leads as the most prominent topic, indicating its central role in modern plant biotechnology. This is closely supported by high frequencies of **hairy root transformation** and **Agrobacterium-mediated transformation**, highlighting a sustained focus on efficient gene delivery systems. Additionally, topics such as the **RUBY reporter** system and **betalain biosynthesis** reflect a growing interest in non-destructive, visually trackable markers and specialized secondary metabolites. The persistent reliance on fundamental media, such as **Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium**, underscores that while the field is advancing rapidly toward molecular breeding, it still fundamentally depends on robust in vitro propagation foundations.

Leading research themes
Leading research themes

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

The transition from the Class of 2025 to the Class of 2026 reveals a significant shift away from traditional, descriptive tissue culture towards targeted genome modification. The most dramatic riser is **betalain biosynthesis**, which surged from almost no mentions to become a top topic, likely driven by its utility as a novel visual marker like the RUBY reporter. **CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing** and **Agrobacterium-mediated transformation** both saw marked increases in frequency, solidifying the field's trajectory toward functional genomics. Conversely, broader, more foundational concepts such as **embryogenic callus** and **micropropagation** experienced substantial declines, indicating that the frontier of high-impact research has moved beyond basic propagation protocols toward sophisticated genetic applications. This cohort shift highlights a rapidly maturing discipline that is increasingly integrating molecular tools directly into established regeneration workflows.

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 Plant tissue culture and regeneration Papers, Class of 2026. https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/plant-tissue-culture-and-regeneration/2026. Accessed 2026-07-15.

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