Trends on Biocontrol Potential of Metarhizium: A Bibliometric Analysis

Abstract

Metarhizium is widely recognized as an entomopathogenic fungus with a natural ability to control insects and pests. It has the dual ability to act as a biopesticide and a significant plant growth promoter. This bibliometric analysis was conducted to study global research trends on Metarhizium biocontrol from 2001 to 2024, based on the 772 publications indexed in the Scopus database. VOSviewer and the R Bibliometrix package have been used to examine publication trends, citation patterns, influential authors, journals, institutions, and international collaborations. The results show consistent research productivity with an annual growth rate of 7.6%, which has significantly increased after 2015. The analysis revealed that the highly cited studies are focused on host-pathogen interactions, comparative genomics, and ecological safety of Metarhizium species. Countries like China, Brazil, and the United States are the global centers, while India, Spain, and Kenya are the emerging contributors to the Metarhizium biocontrol research. In recent years, the research themes have evolved from taxonomy and pathogenicity studies to molecular biology and applied pest management for integrated pest management strategies. The analysis reveals strong global progress; however, gaps remain at the stages of formulation stability, field-level trials under diverse climatic conditions, and non-target ecological safety. The integration of advanced genomics with formulation technology and improving international collaborations are vital to enhancing the practical use of Metarhizium species for eco-friendly biocontrol. This study presents the first comprehensive bibliometric mapping of biocontrol research using Metarhizium species over a 24-year period, providing valuable insights for researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to inform future innovations in biological pest control.