Abstract:Background Phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms (PSMs) are integral to the cycling of phosphorus and mitigation of phosphorus deficiency in soil.Objective To reveal the historical background, current research focuses, and research perspectives by a thorough review of the existing literature related to PSMs, thereby laying a theoretical foundation for future studies.Methods We employed CiteSpace to analyze the publications associated with PSMs from the Core Collection of Web of Science (WOS).Results The research on PSMs has undergone three stages of preliminary exploration, stable exploration, and rapid development. During the stage of preliminary exploration, primary efforts were directed toward the development of specialized culture media and the establishment of standardized culture protocols for PSMs. In the stage of stable exploration, research priorities shifted to the screening of PSMs, molecular identification, and mechanism deciphering of phosphate solubilizing. During the stage of rapid development, the research focuses shifted from the single phosphate solubilizing function to multiple functions including promoting plant growth, remediating heavy metal pollution, and enhancing plant stress resistance. Furthermore, the focus has steadily progressed from laboratory research towards the field application of microbial fertilizer products. China had the largest proportion of publications in this field, which significantly improved our understanding of PSMs. However, the cooperation with other countries should be further strengthened.Conclusion Future research should adopt a holistic perspective encompassing the soil-microbiome-plant system, delving deeply into the interactions and interaction mechanisms among these three components. Additionally, emphasis should be placed on enhancing the ecological adaptability of PSMs, as well as designing and applying synthetic microbial communities specialized in phosphate solubilizing. This will provide theoretical and technical support for the advancement of green agriculture.