Asian soybean rust: a scientometric approach of Phakopsora pachyrhizi studies

In this study, we summarized the evolution of scientific research about fungus Phakopsora pachyrhizi Sydow & Sydow affecting soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill]. We retrieved research articles from the Thomson Reuters Web of Science database that reported studies of the Asian soybean rust (ASR) from 1945 to 2018. We applied the scientometric analysis of the temporal trends of authors, journals, research partnerships, and resistance genes to ASR. Several studies aiming to understand fungal etiology, testing, or improve strategies to control the pathogen were developed. The temporal trends in publications showed an increase in the number of publications between 2005 and 2013. This is directly related to the dissemination of ASR in South and later North America, which facilitates field research and an increase in grant opportunities. The USA had the highest number of published articles (42%), followed by Brazil, Germany, Japan, and Argentina. The leading organizations associated with these publications are from Brazil and the USA. 19% of articles pertaining to ASR were published in the journal Plant Disease. Our results also showed that among the seven dominant genes identified for resistance to ASR, Rpp1, and Rpp2 are the most studied. Several countries, institutions, and plant scientists are deeply involved in ASR research and have been making efforts to control this disease and ensure food security worldwide.