BOOK OF ABSTRACTS 77 IHSS&IWA26 / BRNO / CZECHIA / 23–28 August 2026 Tuesday, 25 August 2026 / Hall B+C Research Frontiers SL32 Global Research Trends in Humic SubstancesBased Biostimulants: Growth, Thematic Evolution, and Knowledge Gaps Mohsen Hesami1, Mohammad Rahbari1 1 BioLiNE® Corporation, Alvinston, ON, N0N 1A0, Canada; email: mhesami@biolinecorp.ca The rapid expansion of research on humic substances (HS)-based biostimulants has created a paradox: while mechanistic understanding at the molecular level is accelerating, translation into reproducible agronomic outcomes remains inconsistent. This study tests the hypothesis that the field’s intellectual structure is increasingly misaligned, with disproportionate emphasis on molecular discovery relative to standardization and field validation. We conducted a comprehensive bibliometric and science mapping analysis of publications indexed in the Web of Science (1984–2025), using Bibliometrix (Biblioshiny) and VOSviewer. Keyword co-occurrence networks, thematic evolution analysis, and international collaboration mapping were integrated to quantify shifts in research priorities and structural maturity. Results reveal a >10-fold increase in publication output after 2015, accompanied by a marked transition from soil conditioning studies to molecular-scale investigations. Dominant “motor themes” are now centered on gene expression, antioxidant signaling, and multi-omics responses to abiotic stress, particularly drought and salinity. However, themes related to standardized protocols, field validation, and product consistency remain weakly developed and fragmented, indicating a structural imbalance in the research landscape. Geographically, leadership is concentrated in Italy, Brazil, China, and India, reflecting region-specific environmental pressures but also contributing to methodological heterogeneity. Critically, the analysis identifies a persistent disconnect between controlled-condition mechanistic studies and scalable agronomic applications. We argue that the next phase of HS research requires a strategic rebalancing toward standardization, cross-scale validation, and integration frameworks that link molecular insights to field performance. This study provides a data-driven diagnostic and proposes a conceptual roadmap to reposition HS-based biostimulants as predictable, precision agronomic tools rather than empirically applied inputs. References 1. D.C. Meena, P.S. Birthal, T.M.K. Kumara, Discover Agriculture 3 (2025) 2. Acknowledgement Not Applicable.
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