Bibliometric analysis on biopesticides and biological control in crops: trends and perspectives.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15649/2346075X.5777Keywords:
Biotechnological innovation, Agroecological transition, Sustainable agriculture, Integrated pest managementAbstract
Introduction. The sustained increase in chemical pesticide use, reaching 3.73 million tonnes in 2023, together with the expansion of resistance in 273 weed species and 632 arthropod species, has intensified the need for safer alternatives in plant protection. Objectives. To characterise the scientific evolution of biopesticide and biological control research in crops, identifying temporal, geographical, and thematic patterns that inform sustainable technological adoption. Materials and Methods. A quantitative bibliometric
mapping approach was applied to 6,906 Scopus-indexed records published between 1973 and 2025. Data were analysed using Bibliometrix and VOSviewer to estimate productivity, impact, collaboration, and thematic structure indicators. Results. The results revealed a consolidated community of 22,413 authors, with an average of 4.68 co-authors per article, 24.31% international collaboration, and a mean citation rate of 30.14. The most productive journals were Biological Control and Biocontrol Science and Technology, while China, the United States, and India led global contributions. Conceptual clusters focused mainly on Trichoderma, Bacillus, and Pseudomonas fluorescens, with 2005–2020 marking the highestimpact period. Conclusions. Biocontrol has become a scientific cornerstone of the global agroecological transition, although gaps remain in standardisation, multisite validation, and the inclusion of the Global South.
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