Evolution of Research on Plant-Associated Endophytic Fungi: A Scientometric and Bibliometric Analysis (2015–2025)

Authors

  • Maria do Socorro Mascarenhas Mato Grosso do Sul State University/UEMS, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5343-4502
  • Gilberto José Arruda Mato Grosso do Sul State University/UEMS, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8297-3620
  • Margareth Batistote Mato Grosso do Sul State University/UEMS, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), Brazil

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.48017/dj.v11i3.3956

Keywords:

Symbiotic interaction, Host plants, Multivariate analysis

Abstract

Endophytic fungi associated with plants have received increasing scientific attention due to their ecological relevance and high biotechnological potential, especially for the production of bioactive metabolites with agricultural, pharmacological, and environmental applications. This study aimed to analyze patterns, trends, and gaps in scientific production on endophytic fungi associated with plants from 2015 to 2025, using a descriptive scientometric approach. Articles indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection, selected based on predefined criteria, were analyzed. Data were evaluated using descriptive statistics and multivariate analyses, including Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA). The results showed continuous growth in scientific production, concentrated in countries such as China, Brazil, India, and the United States. An asymmetrical pattern was observed in the selection of host botanical families, with a predominance of Poaceae, Fabaceae, Bignoniaceae, Meliaceae, Zingiberaceae, and Asteraceae, indicating taxonomic biases associated with the economic and medicinal relevance of these plants. PCoA demonstrated that the selection of botanical families follows scientific trends and temporal dynamics throughout the analyzed period. It is concluded that, although the area is consolidated, expanding the taxonomic and geographic scope of research is fundamental to reducing knowledge gaps and enhancing the discovery of new endophytic fungi and bioactive metabolites.

Author Biographies

Maria do Socorro Mascarenhas, Mato Grosso do Sul State University/UEMS, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), Brazil

0000-0002-5343-4502; Mato Grosso do Sul State University/UEMS, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), Brazil. maria_mascarenhas@outlook.com

Gilberto José Arruda, Mato Grosso do Sul State University/UEMS, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), Brazil

0000-0001-8297-3620; Mato Grosso do Sul State University/UEMS, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), Brazil. arruda@uems.br

Margareth Batistote, Mato Grosso do Sul State University/UEMS, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), Brazil

0000-0001-9865-2362; Mato Grosso do Sul State University/UEMS, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), Brazil. margarethbatistote@gmail.com

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Published

2026-08-20

How to Cite

Mascarenhas, M. do S., Arruda, G. J., & Batistote, M. (2026). Evolution of Research on Plant-Associated Endophytic Fungi: A Scientometric and Bibliometric Analysis (2015–2025). Diversitas Journal, 11(3). https://doi.org/10.48017/dj.v11i3.3956