Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A bibliometric analysis of research papers published on photosynthesis: 1992–2009

  • Published:
Photosynthetica

Abstract

We present here a bibliometric analysis of publications on photosynthesis research from 1992 to 2009 in the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-Expanded) Web of Science. This has allowed us to examine the growing trends and the key topics on this subject. We have assessed the document type, language of the publications, publication output, subject category, journal distribution, countries and territories of these publications, institutions involved, hot topics and highly cited papers. The top 30 countries/territories were ranked according to their total number of articles (TA), single country articles (SCA), internationally collaborative articles (ICA), first author articles (FAA) and corresponding author articles (CAA). Research directions on the subject of photosynthesis were also investigated and evaluated by statistically analyzing the distribution of author keywords in the database. Our analysis indicates that “water”, “stress”, “carbon dioxide”, “nitrogen” and “climate change” are hot topics of research on photosynthesis during this period.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

CAA:

corresponding author articles

FAA:

first author articles

ICA:

internationally collaborative articles

IICA:

inter-institutionally collaborative articles

JCR:

Journal Citation Reports

SCA:

single country articles

SCI-Expanded:

Science Citation Index Expanded

SIA:

single institution articles

TA:

the number of total articles

TC2009:

total citation of papers from their initial publication to the end of 2009

References

  • Awasthi, M., Das, D.N.: Heavy metal stress on growth, photosynthesis and enzymatic activities of free and immobilized Chlorella vulgaris. — Ann. Microbiol. 55: 1–7, 2005.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bassham, J.A.: Mapping the carbon reduction cycle: a personal retrospective. — In: Govindjee, Beatty, J.H., Gest, H., Allen, J.F. (ed.): Discoveries in Photosynthesis. Advances in Photosynthesis and Respiration. Vol. 20: 815–832, Springer, Dordrecht 2005.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bassham, J.A., Benson, A.A., Calvin, M.: The path of carbon in photosynthesis. VIII. The role of malic acid. — J. Biol. Chem. 185: 781–787, 1950.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Benson, A.A.: Following the path of carbon in photosynthesis: a personal story. — In: Govindjee, Beatty, J.H., Gest, H., Allen, J.F. (ed.): Discoveries in Photosynthesis. Advances in Photosynthesis and Respiration. Vol. 20: 793–813. Springer, Dordrecht 2005.

    Google Scholar 

  • Benson, A.A., Bassham, J.A., Calvin, M., Goodale, T.C., Haas, V.A., Stepka, W.: The path of carbon in photosynthesis. V. Paper chromatography and radioautography of the products. — J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 72: 1710–1718, 1950.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Blankenship, R.E.: Molecular mechanisms of photosynthesis. — Blackwell Sci., Oxford 2002.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Brabec, C.J., Sariciftci, N.S., Hummelen, J.C.: Plastic solar cells. — Adv. Funct. Mater. 11: 15–26, 2001.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Calvin, M.M., Bassham, J.A., Benson, A.A.: Chemical transformations of carbon in photosynthesis. — Fed. Proc. 9: 524–534, 1950.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chaves, M.M., Flexas, J., Pinheiro, C.: Photosynthesis under drought and salt stress: regulation mechanisms from whole plant to cell. — Ann. Bot. 103: 551–560, 2009.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, X.F.: [Ideal orientation policy-making: analysis on “985 Project” policy process.] — Peking Univ. Educ. Rev. 4: 145–157, 2006. [In Chin.]

    Google Scholar 

  • Chiu, W.T., Ho, Y.S.: Bibliometric analysis of tsunami research. — Scientometrics 73: 3–17, 2007.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clayton, R.K.: Photosynthesis. Physical Mechanisms and Chemical Patterns. — Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge - London - New York - New Rochelle - Melbourne - Sydney 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  • de Saussure T.: [Recherches chimique sur la végétation.] — Nyon, Paris 1804. [In French.]

    Google Scholar 

  • Delaney, K.J., Weaver, D.K., Peterson, R.: Photosynthesis and yield reductions from wheat stem sawfly (Hymenoptera: Cephidae): interactions with wheat solidness, water stress, and phosphorus deficiency. — J. Econ. Entomol. 103: 516–524, 2010.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Farquhar, G.D., von Caemmerer, S., Berry, J.A.: A biochemical model of photosynthetic CO2 assimilation in leaves of C3 species. — Planta 149: 78–90, 1980.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ferrier-Pages, C., Gattuso, J.P., Dallot, S., Jaubert, J.: Effect of nutrient enrichment on growth and photosynthesis of the zooxanthellate coral Stylophora pistillata. — Coral Reefs 19: 103–113, 2000.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Flexas, J., Baron, M., Bota, J., Ducruet, J.M., et al..: Photosynthesis limitations during water stress acclimation and recovery in the drought-adapted Vitis hybrid Richter-110 (V. berlan- dierix × V.rupestris). — J. Exp. Bot. 60: 2361–2377, 2009.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fu, H.Z., Ho, Y.S., Sui, Y. M., Li, Z.S.: A bibliometric analysis of solid waste research during the period 1993–2008. - Waste Manage. 30: 2410–2417, 2010.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garfield, E.: The evolution of ‘hot papers’. — Scientist 14: 4–4, 2000.

    Google Scholar 

  • Genty, B., Briantais, J.M., Baker, N.R.: The relationship between the quantum yield of photosynthetic electron transport and quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence. — BBAGen. Subjects 990: 87–92, 1989.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ghannoum, O., Phillips, N.G., Conroy, J.P., et al.: Exposure to preindustrial, current and future atmospheric CO2 and temperature differentially affects growth and photosynthesis in Eucalyptus. — Glob. Change Biol. 16: 303–319, 2010a.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ghannoum, O., Phillips, N.G., Sears, M.A., et al.: Photosynthetic responses of two eucalypts to industrial-age changes in atmospheric [CO2] and temperature. — Plant Cell Environ. 33: 1671–1681, 2010b.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Govindjee, Krogmann, D.: Discoveries in oxygenic photosynthesis (1727–2003): A perspective. — Photosynth. Res. 80: 15–57, 2004.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Govindjee: Milestones in photosynthesis Research. — In: Yunus, M., Pathre, U., Mohanty, P. (ed.): Probing Photosynthesis: Mechanisms, Regulation and Adaptation. Pp 9–39. Taylor & Francis, London 2000.

    Google Scholar 

  • Govindjee, Beatty, J.T., Gest, H., Allen, J.F. (ed.): Discoveries in Photosynthesis. Advances in Photosynthesis and Research, Vol. 20. Springer, Dordrecht 2005.

  • Harley, P.C., Tenhunen, J.D., Lange, O.L.: Use of an analytical model to study limitations on net photosynthesis in Arbutus unedo under field conditions. — Oecologia 70: 393–401, 1986.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harley, P.C., Thomas, R.B., Reynolds, J.F., Strain, B.R.: Modelling photosynthesis of cotton grown in elevated CO2. — Plant Cell Environ. 15: 271–282, 1992.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hatch, M.D., Slack, C.R.: Photosynthesis by sugar-cane leaves: A new carboxylation reaction and the pathway of sugar formation. — Biochem. J. 101: 103–111, 1966.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hill, J.: Early pioneers of photosynthesis. — In: Eaton-Rye, J.J., Tripathy, B.C., Sharkey, T.D. (ed.): Photosynthesis: Plastid Biology, Energy Conversion and Carbon Assimilation. Pp., Advances in Photosynthesis and Respiration, Vol. 34: 769–798, Springer, Dordrecht 2011.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hill, R.: Oxygen evolved by isolated chloroplasts. — Nature 139: 881–882, 1937.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hill, R.: Oxygen produced by isolated chloroplasts. — Proc. Roy. Soc. Ser. B 127: 192–210, 1939.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ho, Y.S., Satoh, H., Lin, S.Y.: Japanese lung cancer research trends and performances in Science Citation Index. — Intern. Med. 49: 2219–2228, 2010.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Huber, S.C., Rogers, H.H., Mowry, F.L.: Effects of water stress on photosynthesis and carbon partitioning in soybean (Glycine-max [L.] Merr.) plants grown in the field at different CO2 levels. — Plant Physiol. 76: 244–249, 1984.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kortschak, H.P., Hartt, C.E., Bur, G.O.: Carbon dioxide fixation in sugarcane leaves. — Plant Physiol. 40: 209–213, 1965.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kuhlbrandt, W., Wang, D.N., Fujiyoshi, Y.: Atomic model of plant light-harvesting complex by electron crystallography. — Nature 367: 614–621, 1994.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li, J.F., Wang, M.H., Ho, Y.S.: Trends in research on global climate change: a science citation index expanded-based analysis. — Glob. Planet. Change 77: 13–20, 2011.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, J.F., Zhang, Y.H., Wang, X.S., Ho, Y.S.: Bibliometric analysis of atmospheric simulation trends in meteorology and atmospheric science journals. — Croat. Chem. Acta 82: 695–705, 2009a.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li, L.L., Ding, G.H., Feng, N., Wang, M.H., Ho, Y.S.: Global stem cell research trend: bibliometric analysis as a tool for mapping of trends from 1991 to 2006. — Scientometrics 80: 39–58, 2009b.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Malarvizhi, R., Wang, M.H., Ho, Y.S.: Research trends in adsorption technologies for dye containing wastewaters. — World Appl. Sci. J. 8: 930–942, 2010.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mao, N., Wang, M.H., Ho, Y.S.: A bibliometric study of the trend in articles related to risk assessment published in Science Citation Index. — Hum. Ecol. Risk Assess. 16: 801–824, 2010.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Maxwell, K., Johnson, G.N.: Chlorophyll fluorescence-a practical guide. — J. Exp. Bot. 51: 659–668, 2000.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mcdermott, G., Prince, S.M., Freer, A.A., et al.: Crystalstructure of an integral membrane light-harvesting complex from photosynthetic bacteria. — Nature 374: 517–521, 1995.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Meng, F.: [Contradictions of the class universities from “985 Project” and “211 Project”.] — Heilongjiang Res. Higher Education 1: 29–32, 2010. [In Chin.]

    Google Scholar 

  • Mohamed, A., Jansson, C.: Influence of light on accumulation of photosynthesis-specific transcripts in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis 6803. — Plant Mol. Biol. 13: 693–700, 1989.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Noji, H, Yasuda, R, Yoshida, M, Kinosita, K.: Direct observation of the rotation of F sub(1)-ATPase. — Nature 386: 299–302, 1997.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • O’Leary, M.H.: Carbon isotope fractionation in plants. — Phytochemistry 20: 553–567, 1981.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Papageorgiou, G.C., Govindjee (ed.): Chlorophyll a fluorescence, a signature of photosynthesis. Springer, Dordrecht 2004.

    Google Scholar 

  • Platt, T., Sathyendranath, S., Ulloa, O., Harrison, W.G., Hoepffner, N., Goes, J.: Nutrient control of phytoplankton photosynthesis in the Western North Atlantic. — Nature 356: 229–231, 1992.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rabinowitch, E. I.: Photosynthesis and related processes. Vol. 1: 12–28. Interscience Publishers, Inc., New York 1945.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Rastetter, E.B.: Validating models of ecosystem response to global change. — BioScience 46: 190–198, 1996.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reddy, A.R., Rasineni, G.K., Raghavendra, A.S.: The impact of global elevated CO2 concentration on photosynthesis and plant productivity. — Curr. Sci. 99: 46–57, 2010.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sainte-Marie, B.: The first 30 years of the journal of crustacean biology - a bibliometric study. — J. Crustac. Biol. 30: 541–549, 2010.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schreiber, U., Schliwa, U., Bilger, W.: Continuous recording of photochemical and non-photochemical chlorophyll fluorescence quenching with a new type of modulation fluorometer. — Photosynth. Res. 10: 51–62, 1986.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sellers, P.J., Berry, J.A., Collatz, G.J., Field, C.B.: Canopy reflectance, photosynthesis, and transpiration. III. A reanalysis using improved leaf models and a new canopy integration scheme. — Remote Sens. Environ. 42: 187–216, 1992.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stern, R.S., Arndt, K.A.: Top cited authors in dermatology: A citation study from 24 journals: 1982–1996. — Arch. Dermatol. 135: 299–302, 1999.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Strasser, R.J., Govindjee: The F0 and the O-J-I-P fluorescence rise in higher plants and algae. — In: Argyroudi-Akoyunoglou, J.H. (ed.): Regulation of Chloroplast Biogenesis. Pp. 423–426. Plenum Press, New York 1991.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tanaka, H., Ho, Y.S.: Global trends and performances of desalination research. — Desalin. Water Treat. 25: 1–12, 2011.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tjoelker, M.G., Volin, J.C., Oleksyn, J., Reich, P.B.: Interaction of ozone pollution and light effects on photosynthesis in a forest canopy experiment. — Plant Cell Environ. 18: 895–905, 1995.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tsai, Y., Lee, C., Chen, S., Yen, Z.: Top-cited articles in emergency medicine. —Amer. J. Emerg. Med. 24: 647–654, 2006.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • von Caemmerer, S., Evans, J.R.: Enhancing C3 photosynthesis. — Plant Physiol. 154: 589–592, 2010.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • von Caemmerer, S., Farquhar, G.D.: Some relationships between the biochemistry of photosynthesis and the gas exchange of leaves. — Planta 153: 376–387, 1981.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, M.H., Yu, T.C., Ho, Y.S.: A bibliometric analysis of the performance of Water Research. — Scientometrics 84: 813–820, 2010.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xie, S.D., Zhang, J., Ho, Y.S.: Assessment of world aerosol research trends by bibliometric analysis. — Scientometrics 77: 113–130, 2008.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yamasaki, T., Yamakawa, T., Yamane, Y., Koike, H., Satoh, K., Katoh, S.: Temperature acclimation of photosynthesis and related changes in photosystem II electron transport in winter wheat. — Plant Physiol. 128: 1087–1097, 2002.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yang, C.W., Xu, H.H., Wang, L.L., Liu, J., Shi, D.C., Wang, D.L.: Comparative effects of salt-stress and alkali-stress on the growth, photosynthesis, solute accumulation, and ion balance of barley plants. — Photosynthetica 47: 79–86, 2009.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, G.F., Xie, S.D., Ho, Y.S.: A bibliometric analysis of world volatile organic compounds research trends. — Scientometrics 83: 477–492, 2010.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zouni, A., Witt, H.T., Kern, J., Fromme, P., Krauss, N., Saenger, W., Orth, P.: Crystal structure of photosystem II from Synechococcus elongatus at 3.8 angstrom resolution. — Nature 409: 739–743, 2001.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, P.R. China

    J. J. Yu

  2. Department of Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA

    J. J. Yu & M. Xu

  3. Department of Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, P.R. China

    M. H. Wang

  4. Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 11A Datun Road, Beijing, 100101, P.R. China

    M. Xu

  5. Trend Research Centre, Asia University, Taichung, 41354, Taiwan

    Y. S. Ho

Authors
  1. J. J. Yu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. H. Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. Xu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Y. S. Ho
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to M. Xu or Y. S. Ho.

Additional information

Acknowledgements: Jingjin Yu and Ming Xu thank the National Special Research Program on Public Welfare in Forestry (grant number 200804005), the National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program) (grant number 2010CB833503) and the Bairen Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences for funding support. Jingjin Yu also thanks the National Special Research Program on Public Welfare in Forestry (grant number 200804022).

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Yu, J.J., Wang, M.H., Xu, M. et al. A bibliometric analysis of research papers published on photosynthesis: 1992–2009. Photosynthetica 50, 5–14 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11099-012-0010-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11099-012-0010-1

Additional key words

Search

Navigation