Análise cienciométrica das pesquisas sobre fungos formadores de micorrizas: tendências e perspectivas

Abstract

Mycorrhizal fungi (MF) are essential for the sustainability of ecosystems, promoting nutrient uptake, soil stability, and plant resilience under adverse conditions. The growing scientific interest in these microorganisms has driven advances in their agricultural and ecological applications. However, understanding trends, collaborations, and research gaps on MF remains a challenge. Given this scenario, this study conducted a scientometric analysis of scientific publications on MF, emphasizing global and Brazilian academic production. Data were extracted from the Web of Science and analyzed using the VOSviewer software, enabling the construction of co-authorship, keyword co-occurrence, and citation maps. The results revealed a significant increase in scientific production on the subject, highlighting the participation of Brazilian institutions and the expansion of research on MF in semi-arid biomes, such as the Caatinga. The thematic cluster analysis indicated a transition from taxonomic and ecological studies to applied approaches, including the use of MF in sustainable agriculture, climate change impact mitigation, and degraded soil recovery. Furthermore, the research highlighted the need to strengthen interinstitutional and international collaborations, increasing the participation of northeastern universities in the scientific network on MF. Thus, this study contributed to understanding the main trends and perspectives of MF research, providing insights for new studies and encouraging the use of these microorganisms in sustainable agricultural and environmental management strategies.