From mechanisms to networks: A global bibliometric and functional synthesis of Trichoderma in plant disease management

Fungal pathogens remain a major constraint to global food production, while resistance to chemical fungicides continues to increase. Although Trichoderma spp. are extensively studied as microbial biocontrol agents, no integrated synthesis has yet connected the field’s bibliometric growth with its mechanistic and technological foundations. This study analyzed 3,082 Scopus-indexed publications (1975–2024) using R (bibliometrix) and VOSviewer to track publication trends, global collaboration networks, and thematic evolution. Findings were linked to primary literature on molecular mechanisms and field performance. Annual output grew from 39 (2000) to 285 (2023), with an 8.6% compound annual growth rate. Collaboration patterns reveal two central axes India-Eastern Mediterranean and China-United States aligned with national bioinput agendas. Thematic clusters show a transition from single-strain antagonism to integrative approaches involving omics, microbial ecology, and formulation design. Trichoderma efficacy is driven by antibiosis, enzymatic lysis, and hormone-mediated defense, shaped by rhizosphere conditions and formulation matrices. Advances in encapsulation, osmoprotection, and chemical compatibility have improved field persistence and efficacy. This study identifies the need for standardized reporting, omics-informed strain selection, and regulatory-aligned formulation strategies to improve the reproducibility, scalability, and adoption of Trichoderma -based biocontrol as a resilient component of sustainable agriculture. • Bibliometrics (n=3,082): thematic mapping and co-citation in Trichoderma. • Coordinated antibiosis, CWDEs, and ISR maximize biocontrol efficacy. • Compatible formulations + contact fungicides prolong field persistence. • FAO/WHO–OECD standards ensure stable, safe, quality-assured bioinputs. • Trichoderma enables network-level inference in plant–fungus interactions.