World's Best Scientists 2026 revealed!
Roel Merckx

Roel Merckx

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Plant Science and Agronomy
Belgium
2026

D-Index & Metrics

Plant Science and Agronomy

D-Index
98
Citations
29564
World Ranking
183
National Ranking
3

Roel Merckx 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 Roel Merckx 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: 427 publications — 98th percentile

98% of scientists in this discipline score the same or lower.

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

Roel Merckx 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 Roel Merckx 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: 98 D-Index — 97th percentile

97% 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 Belgium Leader Award
  • 2025 - Research.com Plant Science and Agronomy in Belgium Leader Award
  • 2023 - Research.com Plant Science and Agronomy in Belgium Leader Award
  • 2022 - Research.com Plant Science and Agronomy in Belgium Leader Award

Overview

What is he best known for?

The fields of study he is best known for:

  • Ecology
  • Agriculture
  • Botany

The scientist’s investigation covers issues in Soil water, Agronomy, Organic matter, Soil organic matter and Soil fertility. Many of his studies involve connections with topics such as Environmental chemistry and Soil water. His study in Agronomy is interdisciplinary in nature, drawing from both Nutrient, Mineralization, Crop residue, Rhizosphere and Nitrate.

His study focuses on the intersection of Organic matter and fields such as Soil structure with connections in the field of Mollisol and Field capacity. His Soil organic matter research is multidisciplinary, incorporating elements of Soil test, Terrestrial ecosystem and Cycling. His Soil fertility study combines topics in areas such as Agroforestry, Fertilizer, Land management, Manure and Soil management.

His most cited work include:

  • The impact of agricultural soil erosion on the global carbon cycle (621 citations)
  • Influence of dry–wet cycles on the interrelationship between aggregate, particulate organic matter, and microbial community dynamics (487 citations)
  • An Improved Colorimetric Method to Quantify Sugar Content of Plant Tissue (376 citations)

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

Roel Merckx mostly deals with Agronomy, Soil water, Soil fertility, Environmental chemistry and Organic matter. His studies in Agronomy integrate themes in fields like Phosphorus and Nutrient. Soil science covers Roel Merckx research in Soil water.

His work in Soil fertility addresses subjects such as Agroforestry, which are connected to disciplines such as Agriculture. His Environmental chemistry study integrates concerns from other disciplines, such as Soil contamination, Mineralogy and Cadmium. As part of the same scientific family, he usually focuses on Organic matter, concentrating on Soil organic matter and intersecting with Soil carbon.

He most often published in these fields:

  • Agronomy (39.74%)
  • Soil water (31.17%)
  • Soil fertility (17.40%)

What were the highlights of his more recent work (between 2011-2021)?

  • Agronomy (39.74%)
  • Phosphorus (13.25%)
  • Fertilizer (12.73%)

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

Agronomy, Phosphorus, Fertilizer, Soil water and Nutrient are his primary areas of study. His Agronomy study incorporates themes from Soil management, Leaching and Soil fertility. His Phosphorus research includes themes of Environmental chemistry, Shoot, Surface water and Tropical soils.

His Fertilizer research is multidisciplinary, incorporating elements of Crop yield, Zea mays, Yield and Sowing. His research investigates the link between Soil water and topics such as Organic matter that cross with problems in Dissolved organic carbon. Biodiversity is closely connected to Soil pH in his research, which is encompassed under the umbrella topic of Nutrient.

Between 2011 and 2021, his most popular works were:

  • Soil carbon storage controlled by interactions between geochemistry and climate (232 citations)
  • Integrated soil fertility management in sub-Saharan Africa: unravelling local adaptation (152 citations)
  • Understanding the Process of Agricultural Technology Adoption: Mineral Fertilizer in Eastern DR Congo (80 citations)

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

  • Agriculture
  • Ecology
  • Botany

Roel Merckx mainly investigates Agronomy, Soil water, Phosphorus, Soil fertility and Fertilizer. The various areas that Roel Merckx examines in his Agronomy study include Loam, Leaching and Soil horizon. His Soil water research is multidisciplinary, incorporating perspectives in Organic matter and Total organic carbon.

His research in Phosphorus intersects with topics in Environmental chemistry, Agriculture, Crop yield and Plant physiology. His study in Soil fertility is interdisciplinary in nature, drawing from both Agroforestry, Soil test, Nutrient, Phosphorus deficiency and Soil management. As a part of the same scientific study, Roel Merckx usually deals with the Fertilizer, concentrating on Crop and frequently concerns with Agricultural intensification.

Best Publications

  • The impact of agricultural soil erosion on the global carbon cycle

    K. Van Oost;T. A. Quine;G. Govers;S. De Gryze

  • Influence of dry–wet cycles on the interrelationship between aggregate, particulate organic matter, and microbial community dynamics

    Karolien Denef;Karolien Denef;Johan Six;Heleen Bossuyt;Heleen Bossuyt;Serita D. Frey

  • An Improved Colorimetric Method to Quantify Sugar Content of Plant Tissue

    Jan Buysse;Roel Merckx

  • Integrated soil fertility management: Operational definition and consequences for implementation and dissemination

    B Vanlauwe;A Bationo;J Chianu;K.E. Giller

  • Soil carbon storage controlled by interactions between geochemistry and climate

    Sebastian Doetterl;Sebastian Doetterl;Antoine Stevens;Antoine Stevens;Johan Six;Roel Merckx

  • Influence of microbial populations and residue quality on aggregate stability

    H Bossuyt;H Bossuyt;Karolien Denef;Karolien Denef;J Six;S.D Frey

  • Microbial biomass responses to soil drying and rewetting: The fate of fast- and slow-growing microorganisms in soils from different climates

    M Van Gestel;Roel Merckx;Karel Vlassak

  • Integrated soil fertility management in sub-Saharan Africa: unravelling local adaptation

    B. Vanlauwe;K.K.E. Descheemaeker;K.E. Giller;J. Huising

  • Soil organic carbon pool changes following land-use conversions

    Steven DeGryze;Steven DeGryze;Johan Six;Johan Six;Keith Paustian;Sherri J. Morris

  • Importance of macroaggregate dynamics in controlling soil carbon stabilization: short-term effects of physical disturbance induced by dry–wet cycles

    Karolien Denef;Karolien Denef;Johan Six;Keith Paustian;Roel Merckx

  • Carbon Sequestration in Microaggregates of No-Tillage Soils with Different Clay Mineralogy

    Karolien Denef;Johan Six;Roel Merckx;Keith Paustian

  • A staggered maize-legume intercrop arrangement robustly increases crop yields and economic returns in the highlands of Central Kenya.

    Monicah Mucheru-Muna;Pieter Pypers;Daniel Mugendi;James Kung’u

  • Production of root-derived material and associated microbial growth in soil at different nutrient levels

    Roel Merckx;A Dijkstra;A den Hartog;J.A van Veen

  • Short-term effects of biological and physical forces on aggregate formation in soils with different clay mineralogy

    Karolien Denef;Johan Six;Johan Six;Roel Merckx;Keith Paustian

  • Soil organic matter dynamics and sustainability of Tropical Agriculture

    K Mulongoy;Roel Merckx

  • Determinants of annual fluxes of CO2 and N2O in long-term no-tillage and conventional tillage systems in northern France

    Katrien Oorts;Roel Merckx;Eric Gréhan;Jérôme Labreuche

  • A quantification of short-term macroaggregate dynamics: influences of wheat residue input and texture

    Steven De Gryze;Steven De Gryze;Johan Six;Cynthia Brits;Roel Merckx

  • Plant-and soil-related controls of the flow of carbon from roots through the soil microbial biomass

    J.A Van Veen;Roel Merckx;S.C Van de Geijn

  • Metal complexation properties of freshwater dissolved organic matter are explained by its aromaticity and by anthropogenic ligands.

    Stijn Baken;Fien Degryse;Liesbeth Verheyen;Roel Merckx

  • Spatial location of carbon decomposition in the soil pore system

    D.T Strong;H De Wever;Roel Merckx;S Recous

  • Turnover of root-derived material and related microbial biomass formation in soils of different texture

    Roel Merckx;A den Hartog;J.A van Veen

Frequent Co-Authors

Erik Smolders
Erik Smolders KU Leuven
Bernard Vanlauwe
Bernard Vanlauwe International Institute of Tropical Agriculture
Nteranya Sanginga
Nteranya Sanginga International Institute of Tropical Agriculture
Gerard Govers
Gerard Govers KU Leuven
Johan Six
Johan Six ETH Zurich
Daniel N. Mugendi
Daniel N. Mugendi Kenyatta University
Fien Degryse
Fien Degryse University of Adelaide
Jozef Deckers
Jozef Deckers KU Leuven
J.A. Van Veen
J.A. Van Veen Leiden University

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