A machine-driven bibliometric analysis of current and emerging plant health challenges

This report examines the effects of plant pests on smallholder farming in low- and middle-income countries across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa, identifying critical research gaps to support food security efforts. The study focused on key crops–rice, cassava, maize, cotton, wheat, among others–and their associated pests, revealing uneven research distribution across both crops and pest species. While rice and maize received considerable attention, crops such as banana, aubergine, and groundnut were under-researched. Pest biology and plant breeding were the most commonly studied areas, whereas integrated pest management (IPM) and yield impact assessments were limited. Diseases of high significance, such as cassava witches’ broom disease, remain notably underrepresented in the literature. This report calls for prioritisation of IPM, knowledge management, and specific pest issues, such as piercing-sucking pests in Southeast Asia. The findings guide future research funding to address knowledge gaps, emphasising the importance of focused pest and crop studies to bolster agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods.