Bibliometric-based Analysis of Studies of Using Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi to Improve Plant Tolerance to Salinity

【Objective】 Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is not only beneficial to plant acquisition of soil nutrients but can also improve plant tolerance to various biotic and abiotic stresses. This study aims to provide reference data for researchers interested in use of AMF to enhance plant tolerance to salinity. 【Method】 The literatures used in the analysis were collected from the Web of Science Database (WOS) and China Knowledge Network Database (CNKI), published in and before 2021. We analyzed the total publications, as well as the top 10 countries, top 10 institutions, top 10 journals and the top 10 researchers, which contributed most to the publications. We also analyzed the most highly cited articles. 【Result】 A total of 1 348 publications related to AMF improvement of plant salt tolerance were retrieved from 1 372 institutions in 94 countries from WOS, and 331 publications were retrieved from CNKI. The number of articles published nationally in China and internationally showed an increasing trend, with Chinese researchers publishing the most. The institutions focusing on using AMF to improve plant salt tolerance were mainly universities and research institutes, with Mycorrhiza contributing most to WOS journals, and Acta Botanica Boreali-occidentalia Sinica topping the list in CNKI journals. Current research focus of Chinese researchers is mainly on plant science. 【Conclusion】 The study of using AMF to improve plant salt tolerance is a hot spot, to which Chinese researchers have made significant contributions. Analysis of the published papers indicates that current research in this area is in molecular biology and mycorrhizal signal transduction. This paper serves as a reference for researchers who are interested in this area.