Agricultural science, mapped

The fields of agricultural science, where research is growing right now, and the universities that lead it and teach it - built on open data covering 1,748,190 papers published 2021–2025.

Crop Science & Agronomy

How field crops grow, yield and respond to management, weather and stress.

169,868 papers 2021–2025
+13% vs. 2021–2022

Soil Science & Plant Nutrition

Soil fertility, nutrient cycles, fertilization and soil conservation.

181,515 papers 2021–2025
+9% vs. 2021–2022

Plant Breeding & Genetics

Genetic improvement of crops, from classical breeding to genomics.

112,483 papers 2021–2025
+2% vs. 2021–2022

Plant Pathology & Weed Science

Plant diseases, pathogens, nematodes and weeds - and how to control them.

153,308 papers 2021–2025
−7% vs. 2021–2022

Agricultural Entomology & Pest Management

Insect pests, beneficial insects, biological control and apiculture.

139,788 papers 2021–2025
+5% vs. 2021–2022

Horticulture & Controlled Environments

Fruit, vegetables, vines and ornamentals, greenhouses and postharvest.

122,559 papers 2021–2025
+13% vs. 2021–2022

Animal Science & Nutrition

Livestock nutrition, physiology, reproduction, breeding and husbandry.

137,588 papers 2021–2025
+3% vs. 2021–2022

Animal Health & Welfare

Livestock diseases, epidemiology, zoonoses and animal welfare.

87,729 papers 2021–2025
+11% vs. 2021–2022

Aquaculture & Fisheries

Fish and shellfish farming, aquatic animal health and fisheries science.

70,339 papers 2021–2025
+21% vs. 2021–2022

Food Science & Safety

Food composition, processing, quality, microbiology and safety.

177,622 papers 2021–2025
+21% vs. 2021–2022

Agricultural Economics & Rural Development

Farm economics, markets, policy, land, food security and rural livelihoods.

135,300 papers 2021–2025
+16% vs. 2021–2022

Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering

Machinery, irrigation, remote sensing, precision and digital agriculture.

118,394 papers 2021–2025
+56% vs. 2021–2022

Farming Systems, Climate & Environment

Whole-farm systems, sustainability, climate impacts and environmental effects.

141,697 papers 2021–2025
+18% vs. 2021–2022

Fastest-growing research topics

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

  1. Indigenous Knowledge Systems and AgricultureFarming Systems, Climate & Environment+205%
  2. Food Security and Socioeconomic DynamicsAgricultural Economics & Rural Development+140%
  3. Smart Agriculture and AIAgricultural & Biosystems Engineering+123%
  4. Innovations in Aquaponics and Hydroponics SystemsHorticulture & Controlled Environments+112%
  5. Agroforestry and silvopastoral systemsFarming Systems, Climate & Environment+100%
  6. Animal Law and WelfareAnimal Health & Welfare+93%
  7. Food Supply Chain TraceabilityFood Science & Safety+92%
  8. Sustainable Agricultural Systems AnalysisFarming Systems, Climate & Environment+88%
  9. Agricultural Systems and PracticesFarming Systems, Climate & Environment+78%
  10. Pasture and Agricultural SystemsCrop Science & Agronomy+75%

Largest research output

Universities, papers 2021–2025.

  1. China Agricultural UniversityChina 14,047
  2. Northwest A&F UniversityChina 11,006
  3. University of Chinese Academy of SciencesChina 10,565
  4. Wageningen University & ResearchNetherlands 10,175
  5. Nanjing Agricultural UniversityChina 9,974
  6. Universidade de São PauloBrazil 8,990
  7. Zhejiang UniversityChina 8,534
  8. Huazhong Agricultural UniversityChina 8,497
  9. University of FloridaUnited States 8,174
  10. Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp)Brazil 7,392

All 100 universities by region