Research in agricultural science

Where research is growing, new papers and the institutions that publish most - from 2,069,855 papers published 2021–2025 (OpenAlex) and new working papers from AgEcon Search. These figures measure output, not quality.

Fastest-growing research topics

Papers 2024–2025 vs. 2021–2022, topics with at least 500 recent papers.

  1. Smart Agriculture and AIAgricultural & Biosystems Engineering+133%
  2. Digitalization and Economic Development in AgricultureAgricultural Economics & Rural Development+115%
  3. Berry genetics and cultivation researchHorticulture & Controlled Environments+90%
  4. Polymer-Based Agricultural EnhancementsAgricultural & Biosystems Engineering+77%
  5. Seed Germination and PhysiologyCrop Science & Agronomy+71%
  6. Insect Utilization and EffectsAgricultural Entomology & Pest Management+67%
  7. Agroforestry and silvopastoral systemsFarming Systems, Climate & Environment+65%
  8. Agricultural Practices and Plant GeneticsPlant Breeding & Genetics+61%
  9. Innovations in Aquaponics and Hydroponics SystemsHorticulture & Controlled Environments+57%
  10. Plant and soil sciencesFarming Systems, Climate & Environment+54%
  11. Study of Mite SpeciesAgricultural Entomology & Pest Management+53%
  12. Soil Science and Environmental ManagementSoil Science & Plant Nutrition+52%

Largest research topics

Papers 2021–2025.

  1. Smart Agriculture and AIAgricultural & Biosystems Engineering 50,364
  2. Soil Carbon and Nitrogen DynamicsSoil Science & Plant Nutrition 23,286
  3. Animal Nutrition and PhysiologyAnimal Science & Nutrition 19,900
  4. Plant-Microbe Interactions and ImmunityPlant Pathology & Weed Science 19,288
  5. Agricultural Science and FertilizationSoil Science & Plant Nutrition 18,990
  6. Probiotics and Fermented FoodsFood Science & Safety 18,823
  7. Plant Stress Responses and ToleranceCrop Science & Agronomy 18,312
  8. Fish Biology and Ecology StudiesAquaculture & Fisheries 15,306
  9. Remote Sensing in AgricultureAgricultural & Biosystems Engineering 15,200
  10. Ruminant Nutrition and Digestive PhysiologyAnimal Science & Nutrition 15,073

New in agricultural economics

Latest working papers and reports from AgEcon Search. More papers, subjects and series.

  1. The Renewable Energy-Growth-Inequality-Emissions Nexus: A Novel Wealth-Based Inequality Indicator and a Reconsideration of the Environmental Kuznets Curve Cortili, Alessio · Working paper · 24.2026 · Oct 2026 Climate ChangeEnvironmental Economics and PolicyResource/Energy Economics and Policy
  2. The Impact of Food Insecurity on Intentions to Move: Findings from the North Central Region / Research Brief Mori, Samantha; Mindes, Samuel C.H. · Working paper · Oct 2026 Community/Rural/Urban DevelopmentConsumer/Household EconomicsFood Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety
  3. Implications of Vietnam’s Rice Export Limit for the Global and U.S. Rice Markets Ajewole, Kayode; Sabala, Ethan; Lin, Jessie et al. · Report · Economic Research Report No. 366 · Oct 2026 Agricultural and Food PolicyCrop Production/IndustriesDemand and Price Analysis
  4. Land Use, Conservation Policies, and Agricultural Production in Brazil and the United States Valdes, Constanza; Davis, Eric C.; Callahan, Scott et al. · Report · Economic Research Report No. 367 · Oct 2026 Agricultural and Food PolicyCrop Production/IndustriesEnvironmental Economics and Policy
  5. Corn and Soybean Cost of Production in Brazil and the United States Valdes, Constanza; Gillespie, Jeffrey; Bonin, Daniel et al. · Report · Economic Information Bulletin No. 310 · Oct 2026 Agricultural and Food PolicyCrop Production/IndustriesDemand and Price Analysis
  6. Characteristics and Trends of U.S. Rice Production Practices, Costs, and Returns, 2013−24 Vaiknoras, Kate; Gillespie, Jeffrey; Childs, Nathan · Report · Economic Information Bulletin No. 308 · Oct 2026 Crop Production/IndustriesDemand and Price AnalysisFarm Management
  7. Contributing Factors to Rural Energy Use, Costs, and Affordability in the Early 2020s Winikoff, Justin B.; Kamen, Hannah; Winkler, Richelle L. · Report · Economic Information Bulletin No. 300 · Oct 2026 Research Research Methods/Statistical MethodsResource/Energy Economics and Policy
  8. When Housing Isn’t Secure: Access, Affordability, and Stability in the North Central Region Gratny, Savanna; Mindes, Samuel C.H. · Working paper · Sep 2026 Community/Rural/Urban DevelopmentConsumer/Household Economics

By subject

Each subject page shows its research trend, growing topics, leading institutions and highly cited papers.

Research volume by university

Number of papers 2021–2025 in the subjects on this site - a measure of research volume, not of quality or teaching. All 100, by region.

  1. China Agricultural UniversityChina 16,150
  2. Northwest A&F UniversityChina 12,637
  3. University of Chinese Academy of SciencesChina 12,044
  4. Nanjing Agricultural UniversityChina 11,538
  5. Wageningen University & ResearchNetherlands 11,146
  6. Huazhong Agricultural UniversityChina 9,515
  7. Zhejiang UniversityChina 9,469
  8. Universidade de São PauloBrazil 8,955
  9. University of FloridaUnited States 8,340
  10. South China Agricultural UniversityChina 8,040