Bibliometric data for this ranking were meticulously collected on January 12, 2026. Each institution’s position in the ranking is determined by the aggregate sum of Discipline H-indexes (D-indexes) of all affiliated scholars whose primary publication focus resides within Plant Science and Agronomy. The D-index specifically quantifies academic impact in a particular discipline, taking into account publications and citations exclusively within the examined field, thereby enabling a precise and discipline-focused assessment of scholarly performance.
Scope of Research and Scholar Selection
The ranking examines a comprehensive pool of 279,971 scientist profiles identified across various bibliometric data sources. From this extensive set, 20,124 scientists specifically contributing to Plant Science and Agronomy were analyzed in detail. To qualify for inclusion, a scholar must meet a minimum D-index threshold of 30, with the majority of their publications firmly rooted in Plant Science and Agronomy.
Furthermore, the D-index threshold for top researchers is dynamically adjusted in increments of 10 based on the total estimated number of scholars for each discipline, ensuring that the most influential 1% of domain-leading experts are comprehensively represented. The methodology also requires a proximity measure of 30% or less between a researcher’s general H-index and their discipline-specific D-index, reinforcing alignment between overall research impact and domain specialization. Awards and achievements within Plant Science and Agronomy are additional qualitative factors integrated into the evaluation to enhance the robustness and credibility of scholar selection.
Additional Verification Practices
Recognizing that raw bibliometric data should not be the sole criterion for evaluating scholarly output, the researchers behind this ranking have undertaken extensive manual verification of all scientist profiles. This process included cross-correlating profiles against publications in a broad spectrum of trustworthy sources to ensure accuracy and authenticity.
While not used directly in the ranking calculations, the number of papers published in prominent journals and conference proceedings is considered a valuable secondary signal of a scientist’s contribution to Plant Science and Agronomy. The ranking’s primary metric — the H-index — is based on data obtained from OpenAlex and CrossRef, the most prominent and widely trusted bibliometric databases currently available to the global research community.
For a more detailed explanation of the methodology employed in constructing this ranking, please consult our methodology page.
Research.com’s Mission and Vision
At Research.com, our mission is to motivate scientists, business leaders, and policymakers worldwide to explore emerging trends among top experts. By providing transparent and reliable rankings, we enable the broader research community to identify leading specialists in specific disciplines, within diverse countries, and even across individual research institutions. This facilitates informed decision-making and fosters collaborative opportunities that advance scientific progress globally.
Key Results and Highlights of the Ranking
- Top 3 Institutions by Number of Leading Scientists:
- Nanjing Agricultural University – 77 scientists
- University of California, Davis – 69 scientists
- Cornell University – 63 scientists
- Most Prominent Scholars Representing: The Ohio State University, Stanford University, University of Western Australia, University of East Anglia, Bangor University, Hasselt University, Cornell University, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Colorado State University, and University of Missouri.
- Top-Ranked Scientists Worldwide in Plant Science and Agronomy:
- 1st: Professor Rattan Lal (The Ohio State University) with a D-index of 199
- 2nd: Steve P. McGrath (Rothamsted Research) with a D-index of 140
- 3rd: Robert B. Jackson (Stanford University) with a D-index of 136
- Disciplinary Impact Averages:
- Average total D-index for the top 5% universities: 1,668 vs. 235 across all 907 ranked institutions
- Average number of published Plant Science and Agronomy articles by scientists in top 5% universities: 5,579 vs. 801 overall
- Average citation count for researchers affiliated with the top 1% universities: 279,971 vs. 54,205 for all 907 universities
This ranking represents a culmination of rigorous data aggregation, thoughtful analysis, and validation, designed to provide an authoritative reference for the Plant Science and Agronomy research community worldwide.
