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Plant Science and Agronomy
USA
2026

D-Index & Metrics

Plant Science and Agronomy

D-Index
90
Citations
40501
World Ranking
273
National Ranking
97

Douglas L. Karlen publication distribution in Plant Science and Agronomy in 2026

The chart shows the distribution of publications by all Research.com ranked scientists in the field of Plant Science and Agronomy in 2026. The highlighted bar marks where Douglas L. Karlen sits on this spectrum.

36–40 publications: 2 scientists 41–45 publications: 7 scientists 46–50 publications: 40 scientists 51–55 publications: 58 scientists 56–60 publications: 60 scientists 61–65 publications: 107 scientists 66–70 publications: 130 scientists 71–75 publications: 153 scientists 76–80 publications: 191 scientists 81–85 publications: 199 scientists 86–90 publications: 206 scientists 91–95 publications: 218 scientists 96–100 publications: 226 scientists 101–105 publications: 227 scientists 106–110 publications: 247 scientists 111–115 publications: 255 scientists 116–120 publications: 253 scientists 121–125 publications: 233 scientists 126–130 publications: 219 scientists 131–135 publications: 201 scientists 136–140 publications: 194 scientists 141–145 publications: 176 scientists 146–150 publications: 157 scientists 151–155 publications: 147 scientists 156–160 publications: 151 scientists 161–165 publications: 159 scientists 166–170 publications: 137 scientists 171–175 publications: 128 scientists 176–180 publications: 126 scientists 181–185 publications: 98 scientists 186–190 publications: 114 scientists 191–195 publications: 100 scientists 196–200 publications: 90 scientists 201–205 publications: 71 scientists 206–210 publications: 98 scientists 211–215 publications: 70 scientists 216–220 publications: 86 scientists 221–225 publications: 61 scientists 226–230 publications: 58 scientists 231–235 publications: 53 scientists 236–240 publications: 64 scientists 241–245 publications: 39 scientists 246–250 publications: 46 scientists 251–255 publications: 51 scientists 256–260 publications: 36 scientists 261–265 publications: 44 scientists 266–270 publications: 35 scientists 271–275 publications: 30 scientists 276–280 publications: 33 scientists 281–285 publications: 35 scientists 286–290 publications: 36 scientists 291–295 publications: 26 scientists 296–300 publications: 26 scientists 301–305 publications: 31 scientists 306–310 publications: 30 scientists 311–315 publications: 21 scientists 316–320 publications: 29 scientists 321–325 publications: 14 scientists 326–330 publications: 15 scientists 331–335 publications: 15 scientists 336–340 publications: 17 scientists 341–345 publications: 15 scientists 346–350 publications: 12 scientists 351–355 publications: 17 scientists 356–360 publications: 18 scientists 361–365 publications: 12 scientists 366–370 publications: 11 scientists 371–375 publications: 6 scientists 376–380 publications: 6 scientists 381–385 publications: 11 scientists 386–390 publications: 9 scientists 391–395 publications: 10 scientists 396–400 publications: 8 scientists 401–405 publications: 4 scientists 406–410 publications: 9 scientists 411–415 publications: 11 scientists 416–420 publications: 4 scientists 421–425 publications: 7 scientists 426–430 publications: 4 scientists 431–435 publications: 3 scientists 436–440 publications: 5 scientists 441–445 publications: 8 scientists 446–450 publications: 6 scientists 451–455 publications: 7 scientists 456–460 publications: 5 scientists 461–465 publications: 6 scientists 466 publications: 2 scientists 467+ publications: 99 scientists
36 publications 467+

This scientist: 329 publications — 95th percentile

95% of scientists in this discipline score the same or lower.

The last bar groups every scientist with 467 publications or more.

Douglas L. Karlen D-index placement in Plant Science and Agronomy in 2026

The chart shows the D-index (discipline H-index) distribution of Plant Science and Agronomy scientists ranked by Research.com in 2026. The highlighted bar marks where Douglas L. Karlen sits on this spectrum.

30 D-Index: 200 scientists 31 D-Index: 236 scientists 32 D-Index: 253 scientists 33 D-Index: 283 scientists 34 D-Index: 288 scientists 35 D-Index: 240 scientists 36 D-Index: 246 scientists 37 D-Index: 243 scientists 38 D-Index: 247 scientists 39 D-Index: 229 scientists 40 D-Index: 232 scientists 41 D-Index: 230 scientists 42 D-Index: 228 scientists 43 D-Index: 219 scientists 44 D-Index: 193 scientists 45 D-Index: 164 scientists 46 D-Index: 158 scientists 47 D-Index: 143 scientists 48 D-Index: 131 scientists 49 D-Index: 127 scientists 50 D-Index: 122 scientists 51 D-Index: 122 scientists 52 D-Index: 110 scientists 53 D-Index: 102 scientists 54 D-Index: 98 scientists 55 D-Index: 79 scientists 56 D-Index: 85 scientists 57 D-Index: 88 scientists 58 D-Index: 91 scientists 59 D-Index: 62 scientists 60 D-Index: 61 scientists 61 D-Index: 59 scientists 62 D-Index: 54 scientists 63 D-Index: 61 scientists 64 D-Index: 59 scientists 65 D-Index: 58 scientists 66 D-Index: 41 scientists 67 D-Index: 49 scientists 68 D-Index: 39 scientists 69 D-Index: 32 scientists 70 D-Index: 40 scientists 71 D-Index: 47 scientists 72 D-Index: 38 scientists 73 D-Index: 28 scientists 74 D-Index: 29 scientists 75 D-Index: 28 scientists 76 D-Index: 22 scientists 77 D-Index: 21 scientists 78 D-Index: 25 scientists 79 D-Index: 26 scientists 80 D-Index: 19 scientists 81 D-Index: 16 scientists 82 D-Index: 12 scientists 83 D-Index: 16 scientists 84 D-Index: 14 scientists 85 D-Index: 11 scientists 86 D-Index: 17 scientists 87 D-Index: 13 scientists 88 D-Index: 10 scientists 89 D-Index: 12 scientists 90 D-Index: 18 scientists 91 D-Index: 16 scientists 92 D-Index: 16 scientists 93 D-Index: 17 scientists 94 D-Index: 12 scientists 95 D-Index: 8 scientists 96 D-Index: 9 scientists 97 D-Index: 9 scientists 98 D-Index: 11 scientists 99 D-Index: 12 scientists 100 D-Index: 5 scientists 101 D-Index: 8 scientists 102 D-Index: 4 scientists 103 D-Index: 11 scientists 104 D-Index: 5 scientists 105 D-Index: 9 scientists 106 D-Index: 7 scientists 107 D-Index: 4 scientists 108 D-Index: 8 scientists 109+ D-Index: 99 scientists
30 D-Index 109+

This scientist: 90 D-Index — 96th percentile

96% of scientists in this discipline score the same or lower.

The last bar groups every scientist with 109 D-Index or more.

Research.com Recognitions

  • 2026 - Research.com Plant Science and Agronomy in United States Leader Award
  • 2002 - Soil Science Applied Research Award, American Society of Agronomy
  • 2001 - Carl Sprengel Agronomic Research Award, American Society of Agronomy
  • 2001 - Werner L. Nelson Award for Diagnosis of Yield-Limiting Factors, American Society of Agronomy
  • 1996 - Agronomic Achievement Award-Soils, American Society of Agronomy
  • 1994 - Fellow of the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA)

Overview

What is he best known for?

The fields of study he is best known for:

  • Agriculture
  • Ecology
  • Agronomy

His scientific interests lie mostly in Agronomy, Soil quality, Soil water, Soil management and Crop rotation. His Agronomy research integrates issues from Soil organic matter and No-till farming. Douglas L. Karlen has included themes like Scale, Soil health, Land use and Environmental planning in his Soil quality study.

His Soil water study is related to the wider topic of Soil science. The concepts of his Soil management study are interwoven with issues in Soil test and Soil functions. His study in Crop rotation is interdisciplinary in nature, drawing from both Cropping system and Environmental engineering.

His most cited work include:

  • FIELD-SCALE VARIABILITY OF SOIL PROPERTIES IN CENTRAL IOWA SOILS (2358 citations)
  • Soil Quality: A Concept, Definition, and Framework for Evaluation (A Guest Editorial) (1321 citations)
  • Impact of biochar amendments on the quality of a typical Midwestern agricultural soil (764 citations)

What are the main themes of his work throughout his whole career to date?

Douglas L. Karlen mainly investigates Agronomy, Tillage, Soil quality, Soil water and Soil management. His work on Agronomy is being expanded to include thematically relevant topics such as Corn stover. His Tillage study incorporates themes from Cover crop, No-till farming, Loam and Bulk density.

His research on Soil quality also deals with topics like

  • Soil organic matter that connect with fields like Soil structure,
  • Agroforestry which is related to area like Soil conservation. His Soil water study is focused on Soil science in general. His research in Soil management intersects with topics in Soil health and Soil functions.

He most often published in these fields:

  • Agronomy (58.87%)
  • Tillage (25.81%)
  • Soil quality (24.60%)

What were the highlights of his more recent work (between 2016-2021)?

  • Agronomy (58.87%)
  • Soil health (11.29%)
  • Tillage (25.81%)

In recent papers he was focusing on the following fields of study:

Douglas L. Karlen mostly deals with Agronomy, Soil health, Tillage, Soil carbon and Soil water. Douglas L. Karlen interconnects Soil structure, No-till farming, Corn stover and Soil quality in the investigation of issues within Agronomy. His work carried out in the field of Soil health brings together such families of science as Soil management, Agricultural engineering and Manure.

His biological study spans a wide range of topics, including Soil type, Bulk density, Crop rotation, Topsoil and Cropping system. His Soil water research incorporates themes from Water quality, Nutrient and Crop production. His Crop residue research is multidisciplinary, incorporating perspectives in Soil organic matter and Stover.

Between 2016 and 2021, his most popular works were:

  • Crop Residue Management Challenges: A Special Issue Overview (90 citations)
  • Soil Health Assessment: Past Accomplishments, Current Activities, and Future Opportunities (34 citations)
  • Topographic metric predictions of soil redistribution and organic carbon in Iowa cropland fields (26 citations)

In his most recent research, the most cited papers focused on:

  • Agriculture
  • Ecology
  • Agronomy

His primary areas of study are Agronomy, Soil health, Tillage, Soil carbon and Soil quality. Douglas L. Karlen combines subjects such as Soil structure and Ultisol with his study of Agronomy. The Soil health study combines topics in areas such as Crop yield and Environmental planning.

His Tillage study integrates concerns from other disciplines, such as Soil type, Cover crop, Crop rotation, Topsoil and Cropping system. His work deals with themes such as Soil organic matter, Crop residue, Erosion and Corn stover, which intersect with Soil carbon. His studies deal with areas such as Technical support, Natural resource and Soil retrogression and degradation as well as Soil quality.

Best Publications

  • FIELD-SCALE VARIABILITY OF SOIL PROPERTIES IN CENTRAL IOWA SOILS

    C. A. Cambardella;T. B. Moorman;T. B. Parkin;D. L. Karlen

  • Soil Quality: A Concept, Definition, and Framework for Evaluation (A Guest Editorial)

    D. L. Karlen;M. J. Mausbach;J. W. Doran;R. G. Cline

  • Impact of biochar amendments on the quality of a typical Midwestern agricultural soil

    David A. Laird;Pierce Fleming;Dedrick D. Davis;Robert Horton

  • Biochar impact on nutrient leaching from a Midwestern agricultural soil.

    David Laird;Pierce Fleming;Baiqun Wang;Robert Horton

  • A comparison of soil quality indexing methods for vegetable production systems in Northern California

    S.S. Andrews;D.L. Karlen;J.P. Mitchell

  • The Soil Management Assessment Framework

    Susan S. Andrews;Douglas L. Karlen;Cynthia A. Cambardella

  • Nitrogen Management Strategies to Reduce Nitrate Leaching in Tile-Drained Midwestern Soils

    Dana L. Dinnes;Douglas L. Karlen;Dan B. Jaynes;Thomas C. Kaspar

  • Soil quality: why and how?

    Douglas L. Karlen;Craig A. Ditzler;Susan S. Andrews

  • Corn Stover to Sustain Soil Organic Carbon Further Constrains Biomass Supply

    W. W. Wilhelm;Jane M. F. Johnson;Douglas L. Karlen;David T. Lightle

  • Crop rotations for the 21st century

    D. L. Karlen;G. E. Varvel;Donald Bullock;R. M. Cruse

  • Identification of regional soil quality factors and indicators : I. Central and Southern High Plains

    John J. Brejda;Thomas B. Moorman;Douglas L. Karlen;Thanh H. Dao

  • Soil quality: Current concepts and applications

    D.L. Karlen;S.S. Andrews;J.W. Doran

  • On-Farm Assessment of Soil Quality in California's Central Valley

    Susan S. Andrews;Jeffrey P. Mitchell;Roberto Mancinelli;Douglas L. Karlen

  • Nitrate Loss in Subsurface Drainage as Affected by Nitrogen Fertilizer Rate

    D.B. Jaynes;T.S. Colvin;D.L. Karlen;C.A. Cambardella

  • Understanding and Enhancing Soil Biological Health: The Solution for Reversing Soil Degradation

    R. Michael Lehman;Cynthia A. Cambardella;Diane E. Stott;Veronica Acosta-Martinez

  • Crop Rotation Effects on Soil Quality at Three Northern Corn/Soybean Belt Locations

    Douglas L. Karlen;Eric G. Hurley;Susan S. Andrews;Cynthia A. Cambardella

  • Long-term tillage effects on soil quality

    Unknown

  • Evaluation of β-Glucosidase Activity as a Soil Quality Indicator for the Soil Management Assessment Framework

    D. E. Stott;S. S. Andrews;M. A. Liebig;Brian J. Wienhold

  • Spatial Analysis of Soil Fertility Parameters

    C. A. Cambardella;D. L. Karlen

  • Soil Health Assessment: Past Accomplishments, Current Activities, and Future Opportunities

    Douglas L. Karlen;Kristen S. Veum;Kenneth A Sudduth;John F. Obrycki

  • Water Quality in Walnut Creek Watershed: Nitrate-Nitrogen in Soils, Subsurface Drainage Water, and Shallow Groundwater

    C. A. Cambardella;T. B. Moorman;D. B. Jaynes;J. L. Hatfield

  • Aerial Accumulation and Partitioning of Nutrients by Corn

    D. L. Karlen;R. L. Flannery;E. J. Sadler

  • Biological soil health indicators respond to tillage intensity: A US meta-analysis

    Márcio R. Nunes;Douglas L. Karlen;Kristen S. Veum;Thomas B. Moorman

  • Bulk density as a soil quality indicator during conversion to no-tillage

    Sally D Logsdon;Douglas L Karlen

  • Identification of Regional Soil Quality Factors and Indicators II. Northern Mississippi Loess Hills and Palouse Prairie

    John J. Brejda;Douglas L. Karlen;Jeffrey L. Smith;Deborah L. Allan

  • No-tillage improvement of soil physical quality in calcareous, degradation-prone, semiarid soils

    O. Fernández-Ugalde;I. Virto;P. Bescansa;M.J. Imaz

  • Distribution and Variability of Surface Soil Properties at a Regional Scale

    John J. Brejda;Thomas B. Moorman;Jeffrey L. Smith;Douglas L. Karlen

  • Biochar impact on Midwestern Mollisols and maize nutrient availability

    Natalia Rogovska;David A. Laird;Samuel J. Rathke;Douglas L. Karlen

  • Soil and crop management effects on soil quality indicators

    D.L. Karlen;N.S. Eash;P.W. Unger

  • Conservation Reserve Program effects on soil quality indicators

    D. L. Karlen;M. J. Rosek;J. C. Gardner;D. L. Allan

  • Soil quality response to long-term tillage and crop rotation practices

    Douglas L. Karlen;Cynthia A. Cambardella;John L. Kovar;Thomas S. Colvin

Frequent Co-Authors

Cynthia A. Cambardella
Cynthia A. Cambardella Agricultural Research Service
Jane M. F. Johnson
Jane M. F. Johnson US Department of Agriculture
Jeffrey M. Novak
Jeffrey M. Novak United States Department of Agriculture
David A. Laird
David A. Laird Iowa State University
Cássio Antonio Tormena
Cássio Antonio Tormena State University of Maringa
John M. Baker
John M. Baker United States Department of Agriculture
Patrick G. Hunt
Patrick G. Hunt Agricultural Research Service
Brian J. Wienhold
Brian J. Wienhold US Department of Agriculture
Carlos Eduardo Pellegrino Cerri
Carlos Eduardo Pellegrino Cerri Universidade de São Paulo
Thomas B. Moorman
Thomas B. Moorman Agricultural Research Service

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