Bibliometric analysis on biopesticides and biological control in crops: trends and perspectives

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. Objetives: This study aimed to characterise the scientific evolution of research on biopesticides and biological control in crops, identifying temporal, geographical, and thematic patterns that inform sustainable technological adoption. Materials and Methods. A bibliometric mapping approach with a quantitative focus was applied, based on 6,906 records retrieved from Scopus 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 (363 articles) and Biocontrol Science and Technology (344), with China, the United States, and India leading global contributions. Conceptual clusters focused mainly on Trichoderma, Bacillus, and Pseudomonas fluorescens, with the period 2005–2020 marking the highest impact stage. Conclusions. It is concluded that biocontrol has become a scientific cornerstone of the global agroecological transition, although gaps remain regarding standardisation, multisite validation, and the inclusion of the Global South.