A scientist’s position within the ranking is determined by their D-index (Discipline H-index), a refined metric that only includes papers and citation counts related specifically to the examined discipline — in this case, Plant Science and Agronomy. This approach ensures that the ranking reflects a researcher’s impact and contributions within their specific area of expertise rather than their overall scholarly footprint.
Scope of Research and Eligibility Criteria
The ranking evaluates a total of 279,971 scientist profiles extracted and identified from various bibliometric databases across all scientific disciplines. Within Plant Science and Agronomy specifically, 1,567 scientist profiles were examined.
To qualify for inclusion in the ranking, a researcher was required to meet the following criteria:
- Possess a D-index of at least 30 within Plant Science and Agronomy.
- Have a majority of their tier publications (high-impact papers) in the specified discipline.
- Demonstrate notable awards and achievements in the field of Plant Science and Agronomy.
The threshold D-index for considering top researchers is adaptively set as increments of 10 relative to the total number of scholars estimated in each discipline. This adaptive standard guarantees that the top 1% of leading scholars are included in the ranking. Additionally, the methodology ensures that there is a proximity of no more than 30% between a researcher’s general H-index and their D-index, confirming a strong disciplinary focus.
Additional Verification Practices
The Research.com team recognizes that raw bibliometric data, while informative, should not be used as an absolute or sole metric to evaluate scholarly output. Accordingly, each scientist profile was manually verified and cross-checked against publications indexed in a wide array of trustworthy and reputable sources.
While the number of papers published in prominent journals and conference proceedings does not directly impact a scientist’s position in the ranking, it is acknowledged as a valuable secondary signal of sustained research contribution in the specific scientific domain.
The final ranking position is established on the basis of each researcher’s D-index as compiled from OpenAlex, CrossRef, and other validated secondary sources. These databases represent the gold standard for bibliographic and citation data collection, reinforcing the reliability and credibility of this ranking.
For a comprehensive overview of the data collection and ranking methodology, we invite readers to consult our methodology page.
Research.com’s Mission and Agenda
Research.com’s overarching mission with the creation and publication of these rankings is to encourage researchers, corporations, and policymakers worldwide to identify and understand where leading scientific minds are concentrating their efforts. By providing a transparent and meticulously curated view of top experts across distinct fields, national borders, and academic institutions, the ranking aims to enhance visibility, enable collaboration, and inform decision-making within the scientific community.
Through this rigorous process, we endeavor to foster a culture of excellence and recognition that supports advancement in Plant Science and Agronomy — and beyond — encouraging knowledge exchange and informed strategies at every level of research and innovation.
